Hudson Valley Invitational at Van Brunt Gallery

“Leaning Tower of Suitcases”(side A), 2008, 8’x 2’ x1’, suitcases, lights, Duratrans - Franc Palaia



“Hudson Valley Invitational”

Hudson Valley Invitational at Van Brunt Gallery, September 13th – 29th

Panel on the Present and Future of the Arts in the
Hudson Valley, September 14th


Where are we? A simple enough question, but one not easily answered when it comes to mapping the current art scene. Especially in a region that’s part of a larger art world whose topology is in flux. The Hudson Valley Invitational at Van Brunt Gallery in Beacon this month is an attempt to indicate some of the more important artistic markers around here. With one work each from over 30 artists, the exhibition doesn’t claim to be an exhaustive survey. Many more eminently worthy artists could have been added had the gallery’s space allowed. Nevertheless, by presenting a healthy sampling of compelling works by talented artists, the Hudson Valley Invitational serves as an interesting point of departure for further exploration of our local art environment.

The idea for the Hudson Valley Invitational came out of the suspended plans for a regional art fair devised by Robert Curcio of Curcio Projects and Carl Van Brunt, owner and director of the Van Brunt Gallery. Assisting in the current show are Jennifer Mackiewicz, co-curator, Bart Bridger Woodstrup, who has compiled a selection of local video artists’ work and Paul Smart, critic and author, who has put together a panel on the Present and Future of the Arts in the Hudson Valley.

The panel to be held on Sunday, September 14th at 3:00 pm will bring together an entertaining and insightful group of participants including, Benjamin Krevolin, board president of the Dutchess County Council on the Arts, Norm Magnusson, known for his allegoric paintings, his faux historic roadside signs, and his Funism.com website,

Tom Roe, founder of Wave Farm in Greene County and a leading proponent of the new Transmission Arts movement, currently on view at the SUNY Purchase's Neuberger Museum. Also on the panel are Sparrow, author/poet/critic, Robert The, Kingston-based conceptual and book artist with a background in philosophy, Christina Varga, Woodstock gallery owner and Brian Wallace, curator at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY-New Paltz. For those unable to attend in person, the panel will be streamed live via the web at:

In the exhibition, a broad range of media and styles are represented reflective of the multiplicity of points of view held by artists in the Valley. Our region is close to one of the preeminent art capitals of the world and the artists here, many of whom show their work in New York City, are well aware of the currents of contemporary art. Some chose to go with the flow, others chose to follow their own compass. All of which makes for a fertile and fascinating panorama, well worth knowing better.

Participating artists include:

Chris Albert

John Allen

Emil Alzamora

Gabe Brown

Robert Brush

Richard Butler

Richard Deon

Laura Moriarty

Alison Moritsugo

James Murray

Franc Palaia

Jaanika Peerna

Fawn Potash

Lyndon Preston

Eliza Pritzker

Molly Rausch

Angelika Rinnhofer

Robert Rodriguez, Jr.

Christie Scheele

Charlotte Schulz

Michael Sibilia

Ed Smith

James Westwater

Eleanor White

Tony Moore

Simon Draper

Rieko Fujinami

Lowell Handler

Matt Harle

Thomas Huber

Peter Iannarelli

Gary Jacketti

Steven Jennis

Grace Knowlton

D.Dominick Lombardi

Susan Magnus

Norm Magnusson

Van Brunt Gallery is located at 460 Main Street, Beacon, NY. Gallery hours are Thursdays – Mondays, 11-6. For more information e-mail: carl@vanbruntgallery.com or phone: 845-838-2995.