Open Studios and Upstate Arts in one weekend
This weekend, two colossal forces in the regional art scene collide as Beacon Open Studios coincides with Upstate Arts Weekend. Mapping out a plan to sort the overlapping events and cover all the ground takes some work but is worth it (see right for highlights).
Regional cross-pollination is a new feature. Under the aegis of Upstate Arts Weekend, the “itinerant curatorial project” Sphinx sets up camp at Mother Gallery and Beacon Open Studios is importing Hudsy TV, a community-based Kingston nonprofit, to show two short films at The Yard.
Also this year, Beacon Open Studios director Darya Golubina expands the artistic offerings by presenting the Skyla Schreter Dance Company, helmed by a co-owner of LotusWorks in Beacon.
“Two years ago, we added music to the visual arts, last year we brought in film and now we’ve added dance,” says Golubina, 37, in her third year as director after reviving the nearly moribund event that skipped 2021 because of the pandemic.
This year, about 100 artists are participating by opening their studios to visitors, contributing works and performing onstage. Those without formal creative spaces will be showing at The Yard and Hudson Beach Glass Gallery.
As curator, Golubina mulled submissions by artists sans studios, then paired the work with retailers around town, turning their walls into a sprawling gallery.
To ease the logistical load, Golubina recruited Julia Zivic to serve as director of music. Zivic is — surprise — the events booker for The Yard and assembled a motley yet harmonious crew of acts to present various moods.
The three bands on the ticketed main bill fit together well, she says. “We start with something chill to ease into the night, then get into a trombone virtuoso-led jazz quartet and end with an uplifting 12-piece band with horns that represent the community well and are generating some buzz.”
Recognizing that Beacon is becoming a northern outpost of Broadway talent, and with a veterans’ repertory company moving into the former Beacon Savings Bank, Golubina is hyped to further expand the arts umbrella. “Maybe next year, we can add theater,” she says.
BEACON OPEN STUDIOS
Studios are open from noon to 6 p.m. on July 20 and 21.
Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon
Friday (July 19)
An opening reception, with live music by Leah Valentine and Lila Blue, begins at 6 p.m. At 8:15 p.m., Skyla Schreter Dance Company will perform Love is an Action [2.0] with musicians Joshua Geisler, a former bandleader with Cirque de Soleil, and Inana Lu Rose, a Mongolian throat singer. The musicians will aim to channel “ancient futuristic minimalism.”
Saturday (July 20)
Live painting by Daniel McDonald all afternoon. From 2 to 4 p.m., Elizabeth Castagna presents an outdoor movement drawing performance “amongst and in collaboration with a circle of trees.” Ghost Funk Orchestra, Joe Fiedler Quartet and Dani Murcia will perform beginning at 7 p.m., followed by an after-party DJ set by Causelost.
Sunday (July 21)
At 7 p.m., Hudsy TV will screen 45 Degrees and TRANSition, followed by a Q&A with its subject, Stella Rose.
Download map: beaconopenstudios.com
UPSTATE ARTS WEEKEND
Kube Art Center. The former high school has many artist studios to explore. On July 19 at 7 p.m., Changolife will host a presentation about Cuban murals. On July 20, there will be a discussion of What Matters from 4 to 10 p.m. and a Summer School bash from 7 to 10 p.m. 211 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon
Analog Diary. Works by Indiri Sutton and Edith Baumann. Noon to 6 p.m. Reception July 21, 4 to 6 p.m. 1154 North Ave., Beacon
The enigmatic Sphinx art group takes over Mother Gallery. A Net for a String, consisting of videos by 11 artists and a selection of small works on paper, investigates “sleight of hand, experimental poetics, assemblages and simulations.” Saturday, noon to
7 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 1154 North Ave., Beacon
Magazzino will offer free admission to its galleries, as well as a ticketed outdoor film series on July 20 and 21, Cinema in Piazza, that includes a barbecue and bar. See magazzino.art. 2700 Route 9, Philipstown
Garrison Art Center will host an outdoor life drawing session with costumes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 23 Garrison’s Landing
Dutchess Inn Experimental Art Hotel will celebrate the conversion of a 25,000-square-foot former garment factory into a wing that features rooms designed as galleries, each with a motif. There will be an artists’ reception from 5 to 10 p.m. on July 19 and a juried art fair on July 20 and 21 from noon to 5 p.m. Some workshops are ticketed events. 151 Main St., Beacon
Download map: upstateartweekend.org
