Matteawan Gallery Brings In Artists For Interactive Installation Residency Programs

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Every January for the past four years, Matteawan Gallery owner Karlyn Benson has turned her gallery space over to an artist for a guest Winter Residency Program. According to Karlyn, "The goal of the Winter Residency is to give artists the space to create a new body of work or to continue working on an ongoing project in a new environment. The Residency focuses on work that has a social, performative, or participatory component."

To kick off 2017, Beacon-based Zachary Skinner presents his Geo-Co-Lab, a collaborative installation that explores whether art can spark effective social and ecological change. And he's not alone. As with past Residency projects at Matteawan Gallery, the public is invited to come in off the street, to collaborate and participate in making the art.

Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

Handmade chalkboards hang on the gallery walls, where people are invited to come in and write on them about a theme that explores the concept of whether art can spark effective social and ecological change. The result, as Skinner sees it, is a constantly multiplying collection of thoughts in a collective mind.

A tent structure (Wisdom Tent) is designed to be a contemplative and reflective space as well as a nomadic shelter.Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

A tent structure (Wisdom Tent) is designed to be a contemplative and reflective space as well as a nomadic shelter.
Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

In addition to an artist talk at the end of the Residency, two free art workshops covering Acrylic Transfer and Handmade Egg Tempura Painting were built into the project. The trade for students was to give their finished work to Skinner, to be included in his exhibit.  

Beacon resident Greg Slick contributes to the installation.Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

Beacon resident Greg Slick contributes to the installation.
Photo Credit: Matteawan Gallery

Children participating in past installations.Photo Credit: Zachary Skinner

Children participating in past installations.
Photo Credit: Zachary Skinner

Skinner works in the gallery most days of the week, with regular hours on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. There will be a closing reception on Sunday, January 22, with a talk by the artist at 3 pm. Past artist residencies in this program include Jean-Marc Superville Sovak’s I Draw & You Talk in 2016, Mollie McKinley’s Cabin Fever in 2015, and Angelika Rhinnhofer’s a priori in 2014.

About Matteawan Gallery

Matteawan Gallery opened in March 2013 at 464 Main Street in Beacon, NY, and moved to a larger space at 436 Main Street in September 2015. The gallery specializes in contemporary art by mid-career and emerging artists, often with a focus on process and materials.

Gallery Director Karlyn Benson has over 20 years of experience working in museums and galleries. For six years she worked in the Registrar Department at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Previously, she was the gallery manager at Candace Perich Gallery, a contemporary photography gallery in Katonah, NY. Karlyn received an MA in Art History from the University of Texas, Austin and a BA in Art History from SUNY Purchase. She recently curated the exhibition Chemistry at Garrison Art Center, Garrison, NY. 

The Story Behind Beacon's Bicycle Tree, Lit Every December Second Saturday (Sponsor Spotlight)

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This year will mark the fifth year for the Bicycle Tree, which has grown in size and complexity. During its first year, the tree was smaller and stationary. Last year, visitors of all ages were delighted when they found they could interact with the tree by spinning wheels, using pedals, and climbing around its larger structure. Originally an initiative conceived by the artist Ed Benavente and sponsored by BeaconArts, the City of Beacon now also supports the event. Activities including a children's craft begin at 3:30 pm, Santa arrives at dusk, and the tree is lit at 5 pm. Bring a mug for hot chocolate.

Photo Credit: BeaconArts, by Ethan Harrison (@Wolfingtons)

The Bicycle Reindeer that brings Santa to the tree lighting each year.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The Second Saturday Tree Lighting happens at Polhill Park next to the Beacon Welcome Center. Last year, in 2015, a record 750 people attended and 200 children sang, according to Kelly Ellenwood, Vice President of BeaconArts. During the day of the tree lighting, the program includes singers and dancers from various local schools, traditional Christmas carols, free hot chocolate and of course, Santa Claus himself, who is delivered by a Bicycle Reindeer to the tree. The menagerie of bicycle constructions has also grown to include a Bicycle Menorah for Hanukkah, and now a New Year’s Ball made of bicycle wheel rims. The latter will be dropped in the last seconds of 2016 for the second time at Dogwood (on the East End of town just over the Fishkill Creek).

Ed's sculptures are all around town. Most notable may be the tall fork and spoon that went up outside Café Amarcord during a Beacon 3D summer outdoor show. You also may have seen Ed peddling around town on his Santa Cab/Bike, aka the Bicycle Reindeer. Ed's work can also be seen in Marion Royael Gallery (speaking of which, have you been in to see the Doors exhibit, "Mr. Yard Presents Knock Knock Underground Emoji" yet? Today is a good day to go). To learn more about the tree, we asked the artist to tell us about it in his own words. Here's what he had to say:

Why the Bicycle Tree? How did this become an annual symbol in Beacon?

"First of all, this project was conceived in 2011 to help give a focal point for all of the various holiday activities being supported by the city, local businesses and volunteer groups. As is often the case, money was the biggest obstacle to having a large, central holiday display. When it comes to making something out of nothing, ask an artist. I am an artist, and a local resident and sculptor, and I volunteered to create a town Christmas Tree as an art project.

"As an art piece, the tree is not perfect. It is ever-evolving just like the community we live in. That’s one reason I chose the bicycle as a symbolic component. Bicycles are powered by people. I feel very fortunate to live in a place that knows how to keep things rolling.

"Taking a half-dozen or so junk bicycles, I fashioned a tree-shaped display and installed it on the empty lot at the corner of Main and Cross Streets (between River Winds Gallery and Hudson Beach Glass) under the sponsorship of the Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA). The location has since moved to Polhill Park."

How did it go? This bicycle tree? How was it received?

"It’s one of those things you just don’t know what people will do or how they will react. I was overwhelmed by the positive responses from people walking by as I was setting this thing up. It made them happy."

# # #

The Bicycle Menorah
Photo Credit: Ed Benavente

This tree lighting is an annual tradition, and Ed's work and BeaconArts' organization and promotion of the event are integral to the holiday season in Beacon. See you this afternoon/tonight at 3:30 pm! Santa arrives at dusk (about 4:30 pm) and the tree is lit at 5 pm. Bring a mug for hot chocolate. Then return to this spot on December 24, 2016 for the lighting of the Bicycle Menorah to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, and let's gather at Dogwood on New Year's Eve for the dropping of the Bicycle Ball.

The Bicycle Ball for New Year's Eve at Dogwood.
Photo Credit: Ed Benavente

This article is a Sponsor Spotlight post with our partnership with BeaconArts, but what makes the partnership so great is that we would have written about it anyway! Thank you for supporting businesses and organizations who support us.

Mystery Photo Revealed: Marion Royael Gallery Doors Exhibit, The Knock Knock Underground Emoji

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Beacon residents might know the faces of the artists, Barbara A.G. Riddle and Steven Paul Riddle, who created and curate Marion Royael Gallery. Over the years, the gallery has been located on both ends of Main Street, and is currently based at 159 Main St., next door to Kitchen Sink. Onlookers who have walked past the directed migrating installations that appear each month in the gallery, may not yet have walked in, or walked all the way in, and stepped into the back patio known as Mr. Yard, which was the location of our Mystery Photo.

The installation that occupies Mr. Yard this year, Marion Royael's garden plot beside Kitchen Sink's back patio, was the location of our last Mystery Photo Contest that stumped everyone for days. That contest required four hints before somebody finally won! So now is the time for the big reveal and the virtual walk-through of this exhibit that is kid- and dog-friendly, and beckons for you to explore.

Reminder of the Mystery Photo

This was the mystery photo. Where was this taken?

About Marion Royael Gallery

Marion Royael Gallery highlights the work of emerging and mid-career artists through a scheduled series of exhibitions. The gallery acts as a forum for exploring fundamental ideas and concepts in contemporary art as they relate to prevailing topical events. Steven and Barbara seek to create a vibrant cross-generational dialogue about art and culture among the general public, collectors, curators, artists and critics. Marion Royael Gallery creates what they call "Directed Migrating Installations," which are rooted in themes that the gallery sends out to regular artists, who send art in response to be displayed. The gallery represents artists and sells contemporary fine art originals, editions and objects.

So Where Is This Dinosaur?

This purple dinosaur lives inside of the outdoor installation, "Mr. Yard Presents Knock Knock Underground Emoji," and behind at least two sets of doors. There is a total of 76 doors in the installation, 45 of which open and close, and some of which are painted. Appearing across all of the doors are 300 emojis representing different emotions. Why emojis and doors?

The installation is an exploration of what people do with their emotions, says Steven Paul Riddle. "It's about emotions. Whatever you do with your emotions. Some people show them very clearly, and you can see right through them. Other people hide them." The doors represent what the emotions are hidden behind. Closed doors, open doors, crooked doors, sideways doors.

Walking through is a lot like walking through a chapter in Alice in Wonderland. Explore at night or during the day, and the experience will still be steeped in curiosity as different corners reveal themselves to you in different lights, or through your own mood at the moment.

Continue to virtually walk through this installation via the pictures in this article, and then head down to Marion Royael Gallery to experience it yourself in person. Bring the kids! The doors are for sale as a piece of art, should something move you, but Barbara and Steven giggle at the thought of pricing it out, as they are so deeply rooted in the creation process.

The artists, Steven Paul Riddle and Barbara A.G. Riddle.

Photo Credits: All photos were taken by Katie Hellmuth Martin

Happening This Thursday: Personal Finance Planning for Artists, Entrepreneurs, Creatives

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It's Sunday night... How did your bill paying go? Coming to A Little Beacon Space this Thursday is a workshop designed specially for artists, entrepreneurs and business owners to help them with their financial planning, led by a woman who has worked with artists for years to help them craft retirement planning and good money habits that work with their lifestyles. She even designed these cute flashcards that were featured on the "Today" show.

The agenda below gives a glimpse of what she will be covering, but here are some questions from business owners and artists that have already come in (you can bring your own questions too):

  • "I have high credit card bills. I try to pay those, and put nothing towards my IRA or any kind of retirement planning. Is this a good strategy?"
  • "I never have a lot of money, so when I get a windfall for a being hired for a new project, I'm apt to spend all of the money at once. Help. What should I do with it? Save it? Invest it? Pay bills?"

As an artist or business owner, you are your own boss. No one has set up a retirement plan for you. No one is matching your hard work. Who is going to do it for you? You are. And Galia's guidance can help shine the light on your future good habits.

My Money Matters Flash Cards Included With Ticket Purchase!

Now, when you get a ticket to this workshop, you will get Galia's My Money Matters flash cards that were featured on "Today"! More importantly, they are adorable to look at, and serve as realistic affirmations of what you can do.

You Will Learn How To

  • Get organized. See where you are today and where you want to be.
  • Set realistic financial goals.
  • Manage your credit.
  • Create a budget and spending plan that works for you.
  • Develop a plan for automatic savings.
  • Invest in mutual funds.
  • Take away the uncertainty of retirement planning and determine the best retirement plan for you.
  • Best financial resources including apps, websites, books and ongoing tips.
  • Learn how to deal with your finances in just 30 minutes a week.


About Galia

Galia Gichon is an independent personal financial expert with more than 20 years in financial services, including nearly 10 years on Wall Street and an MBA in finance. She runs her own company, Down to Earth Finance, which addresses personal financial needs through seminars and individual sessions. She is a frequent speaker at Barnard College’s Athena Center for Leadership, Playwrights of NY, Lark Theatre, New Museum NYC, Crave Live, and Freelancers Union. She has been widely quoted in The New York Times, NBC, CNN, Real Simple and more. Previously, she worked at Bear Stearns and Nomura Securities. She is actively involved in angel investing through Pipeline Angels, Astia and Refinery CT. Galia is also the author of “My Money Matters,” a flashcard-based finance reminder set that was featured on the "Today" show.

See you there?
I'll have my notebook out.

Exhibition of Beacon Thursday Painters, a Seniors Group, Displays at the Howland Public Library for October 2016

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One is never bored in Beacon, thanks to all of the groups that get created by citizens, meeting in easily accessible places like the Library, Quinn's, and the Parks and Recreation Department. Learning about these groups and keeping up with when they meet is a job in and of itself. We're always learning about new ones here at A Little Beacon Blog, and adding them to the Adult Classes Guide when we do.

Jan Dolan, the teacher of the Beacon Thursday Painters Group.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

One such group is having an exhibition at the Howland Public Library during October, opening on Saturday, October 8 - Beacon's Second Saturday. The Thursday Painters group is a weekly three-hour class for seniors offered by the Beacon Recreation Department and taught by local artist Jan Dolan. Many of the Thursday Painters have been painting for decades, while others, like Jean Noack, are enjoying the process of awakening their hidden talent. "I enjoy the class because it is made up of a nice group of students who are friendly, creative and are willing to help each other," Jean says. "Also, our teacher Jan Dolan of Beacon is a talented artist, and in addition, she is a wonderful teacher." The class has been meeting for over two years and, according to Jean, "The Recreation Director, Mark Price, has been highly supportive." The show at the library this Second Saturday will be the group’s second exhibit, and runs through November 5.

While in the Beacon Thursday Painters class, Jean tapped into her fondness of the Dummy Light, located on Beacon's east end, and created a series. "When I started in this class [Beacon Thursday Painters], I did portraits of each of my three cats. Then, I moved on to do an oil painting of Beacon's Dummy Light. I am a native of Beacon and used to pass it each day as I walked to school from my home on Fishkill Avenue to Forrestal School. I took a photo of my Dummy Light painting and shrunk the image and I hand-made Dummy Light Christmas ornaments and magnets at my kitchen table. For a while there, it was a regular production line as I made them for friends and sold others. Never could I have seen myself in retirement making pin money from my art!"

Painting of the Dummy Light by Jean Noack.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Jean's most recent painting of the Dummy Light will be on display at the Beacon Historical Society's "Hats Off to the Beacon Historical Society!" this Second Saturday at Beacon Bath & Bubble, located at 458 Main Street in Beacon, near the Lauren & Riley boutique (who was just featured in the Highlands Current!).

Painting on wood by Jean Noack for the exhibit and upcoming auction for "Hats Off To The Beacon Historical Society" fundraiser for the society's new office to store and display their archives.

The Howland Public Library is presenting an exhibition of work by the Beacon Thursday Painters from October 8th through November 5th. An artists’ reception will be held on Beacon's Second Saturday, October 8th, from 5 to 7pm.

The Howland Public Library is located at 313 Main St., Beacon NY 12508. The Community Room Exhibit Space is open during regular library hours. Please note: The gallery may not be accessible during some library programs. Please consult the library calendar at beaconlibrary.org. Artists interested in exhibiting at the library should contact community@beaconlibrary.org.

 

Second Saturday Guide to September Art Showings in Beacon, NY!

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Sip and stroll, and pretend you don't have to worry about homework for another month. 

Sip and stroll, and pretend you don't have to worry about homework for another month. 

Happy Second Saturday, Beaconites and Hudson Valley art lovers! We have quite a roundup in store for you: From a "Friendraiser" to benefit the public library, to a honest-to-goodness hootenanny, to a plethora of paintings, photos, and sculpture that will engage your every sense. Get the scoop (and find out who will be pouring frosty beverages) in our Second Saturday Guide. 

Once you've figured out where to park, what's next? If you're in need of a bite to eat, check out the Restaurant Guide. Itching to show local shopkeepers some love? We've got a Shopping Guide at your fingertips. Thank you for supporting the businesses that help support A Little Beacon Blog! We couldn't do this without you — or them. Happy Second Saturday strolling!

Collect Your Thoughts & Reset Your Mind At Terreson: Beacon (Sponsored)

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September is the time to begin again, and so it has with this particular Second Saturday weekend. Every Second Saturday has been vibrant, but this month's ushers in the shift to fall.

While you are out and about, hitting all of the gallery openings and business celebration parties, do put TERRESON:BEACON on your list. You will find peace and the ability to collect your thoughts and to dream, in Jeffrey Terreson's gallery, that envelops you with aromas of oil paint and original wood beams and floors, penetrating your mind with creative inclinations.

Artist Jeffrey Terreson welcomes you into his peaceful yet inspiring space at 475 Main Street, next door to the Howland Cultural Center. The piece featured here in this photo is CLEAR, 96x92, Oil Wax Enamel Impasto on Wood Panel.

Find your favorites in the gallery, and ask about commissioned pieces, prints, and the ability for Jeffrey to paint onto a print for you. 

TERRESON:BEACON is a Spotlight Sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog. It is with his support that our publication is possible. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us!