FINISHING TOUCHES A construction crew paints the walls and ceiling in the Catskill Art Space’s entrance hallway. The building on Main Street in Livingston Manor has been under renovation for several years, and will be ready to reopen this month. Manor Ink photos
Stunning new art space set to open
After 2 years, CAS plans first exhibits
By Manor Ink Staff
MAKING ART Workers draw yellow lines on a gallery wall in preparation for the Opening Day exhibit of work by artist Sol LeWitt.
Livingston Manor, NY – After more than two long years, the Catskill Art Society is poised to have a grand re-opening on Saturday, Oct. 22. Having operated out of the much smaller Laundry King while extensive renovations were made to the CAS building at 48 Main Street (the largest building in the Manor) CAS will unveil its grand new exhibit rooms, performance space and classrooms to the community in a day long celebration.
CAS is a 52-year-old nonprofit institution that was initially created for local artists to be able to share their work with each other. According to Executive Director Sally Wright, CAS first met in the home of Charles Beck in Cooks Falls, and had a number of other locales before moving to the Main Street building in 2007. At that time, a cursory renovation was done in order to have two galleries and two studios on the first floor.
“We’ve always had the dream and ambition of expanding to the second floor,” said Wright. “With renewed enthusiasm and support from our board, and many others, we’ve been able to fundraise so that we can expand to the second floor, making two gorgeous new exhibition spaces, as well as a multipurpose performance space.”
COVID-19 complications
Wright explained that undertaking renovations during the height of the pandemic made the project particularly challenging and involved some stopping-and-starting as unexpected hurdles and obstacles arose. But CAS is now poised to become a major arts destination. In conjunction with the reopening, CAS will be rebranding itself as the Catskill Arts Space. Wright said that the name change is meant to evoke both the expanded physical venue as well as the expanded nature of programming that the “new” CAS will bring to the community.”That term ‘society’ also feels a bit insular and stuffy,” she added with a smile. “We want CAS to be a really open, welcoming space for everyone.”
Catskill Art Space
Opening Day festivities
Open House, Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Visitors are invited to view the newly expanded Catskill Art Space with long-term presentations from Francis Cape, Sol LeWitt and James Turrell on the second floor. “Trees 1987/2022/Leaves 2022,” an exhibition from Livingston Manor and New York City-based artist Ellen Brooks of new and historical photography and sculpture, will be on view on the ground floor.
Ellen Brooks reception, ground floor, 2-4 p.m.: Brooks will be present for questions and conversation on the occasion of her inaugural exhibition. A limited release of the exhibition catalog, Ellen Brooks, will be available for purchase.
Artists Talk, second floor, 4-5 p.m.: Executive Director Sally Wright in conversation with artist Francis Cape and PACE curatorial director Oliver Shultz. Cape will invite communal discussion around the presentation of his seminal work, “Utopian Benches.” Shultz has worked closely with Turrell at MoMA PS1 and PACE, and will speak on the artist’s practice and Avaar (1976).
Ardsley Dance Residency Performance, second floor, 6-7 p.m.: Ardsley Residency recipient Gianna Burright will present new work created over a week-long inclusive residency in the picturesque Catskill Mountains. A new dance will be premiered with a talk-back with the choreographer and dancers.
The Catskill Art Space is at 48 Main Street in Livingston Manor. For more information, visit catskillartsociety.org.
The reopening will feature a special long-term presentation of James Turrell’s light installation “Avaar.” This, Wright explained, is a work that features only white paint and light, no colors, but as one observes the work there is a sensing of the ambiguity of space. This work, on loan to CAS, has not been exhibited anywhere since the 1970s.
Elsewhere, two works conceived by Sol LeWitt will be exhibited. These two-dimensional works are drawn on walls in accordance with the LeWitt’s guidance. Although LeWitt is deceased, a draftsman provided by his estate will oversee the drawing process by five local artists over a period of 12 days.
Other works featured
In the Main Street-facing main gallery on the first floor, renowned photographer Ellen Brooks will unveil a new dramatic work featuring scrolls of film negatives suspended from the ceiling, while photographs and sculptures from her newest body of work will be on view in the other ground floor galleries. Upstairs, the new second floor performance space will contain local sculptor Francis Cape’s reproduction of benches used by communal societies. “Utopian Benches” was constructed using poplar trees grown in Narrowsburg. The benches are meant to be used by visitors for discourse, contemplation, as well as seating for performances, and the room with impressively large windows overlooks the Willowemoc Creek.
In addition to the visual arts, the reopening day’s events will feature the Ardsley Dance Residency’s presentation of a new work to be created by choreographer Gianna Burright.
CAS will also continue and expand its community art classes in the new studios, including the popular “CAS Kids” classes which are free for local children. A pottery class for adults will start the week after the reopening. Wright is also looking to provide a movement class for young persons, as well as meditation instruction for adults, and additional offerings. On Friday, Nov. 25, the performance space will feature Jennifer Ahn Misner with guest artists of the Manor Camerata performing Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
Wright oversaw the renovations with the support of CAS board members, and with the assistance of many local volunteers and advisors who live in the area on either a full- or part-time basis. “We’re so excited to have these presentations and establish CAS as major regional arts destination in bringing world class art to our rural community,” she said.
Reporter Nevaeh Roberts contributed to this story.