Steele Brook on its way to the Battenkill
Spring.
Washington County at its green, flowering best. Time to get outside. To hike and bike. Maybe find some busy water and absorb its energy. So then, why am I writing to tell you about several indoor city events?
Because they are well worth your time. In fact, they may encourage you to get outside, to renew your relationship with places special to you. Here's a look at two exhibits and a screening in Glens Falls.
At the Hyde Museum...
Jacob Houston is a young Greenwich artist who has been garnering attention locally and regionally. Now he has a solo exhibit at the venerable Hyde Museum on Warren Street in Glens Falls. Houston uses acrylics to create crisp, vibrant images. He's noted for his cityscapes, including New York, San Francisco, London, Venice and others. His birdseye view of Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral is drawing lot's of attention. It's a sobering reminder of what was lost in the recent fire.
A painting of Africa almost jumps off the wall with its striking color. It seems to capture an entire continent within its frame. And toasting marshmallows over a campfire is given an imaginative twist in 'Witchcraft Lake'. Whimsey and tiny details are part of the pleasure of Houston's work.
For Washington County enthusiasts there are paintings of Greenwich, Cambridge and the Battenkill, as well as images from nearby Vermont. His art reminds me a little of Grandma Moses but with his own unique style. When visiting the exhibit be sure to read the guest comment book. It's sprinkled with words like "playful", "magical", "joy" and "fresh and luminous". Leaving the gallery I felt like I was in one of the paintings, floating above a serene, inviting world. Jacob Houston's art is that uplifting.
More on Houston and the Hyde.
Jacob Houston -web image
At LARAC...
Another collaboration between Washington County artists and a Glens Falls gallery is on view at the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, located on City Park next to Crandall Library. Paige Henry, Michael Scupholm and Sam Rathbun are all associated with the Salem Art Works and this exhibit may serve as an impetus to visit the repurposed farm. It's a fascinating place and climbing Cary Hill with its sculpture park and mountain views is a unique experience. At LARAC you'll see works in iron, bronze and glass as well as assemblages and installations.
More on SAW and LARAC.
The view from Cary Hill
At the Wood Theater...
Finally, on Saturday, May 4 at 3:00pm The River and the Wall will be shown at the Wood Theater on Glen Street. It goes without saying that the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico has been in the news. We all have our own opinion on whether there's a crisis there. But how did we come to our conclusions? Obviously, there are those with a big soapbox who try to bully us with their take on the problem and their solution.
Texas - Mexico border - web image
When I want to know a place, a place in Washington County for example, I'll read about it, talk to people with first hand knowledge and then go and visit. Spend as much time there as possible, letting the land gradually reveal itself. That's what five adventurers did along the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. Over two and a half months they traveled 1200 miles on horseback, mountain bike and canoe. They met with people from both sides of the border and both sides of the issue. They immersed themselves in the place and then they made a documentary about their experience.
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As important as the film is to the ongoing national discussion, I'm guessing that Heather Mackey will be the big draw at the Glens Falls event. She grew up locally, excelling in academics and athletics before going on to Cornell for a degree in biology. Heather then continued her education out west, doing field research in several far-flung and remote places, including Big Bend in south Texas. Her expertise in the area's wildlife and ecology led to an invitation to join The River and the Wall trip.
The River and the Wall gang - Heather is the pretty one - web image
I've known Heather since before the beginning. Her parents, Steve and Licia, are long time friends of Gwenne and myself. We met thru a mutual love of the Adirondacks and have had many adventures together over the years. By far the best adventure has been watching the girls, their Heather and our Holly, grow up to become accomplished young women.
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Your run-of-the-mill academic ornithologist might find 1200 miles of wilderness travel a little...daunting. Not Heather. She grew up hiking, biking, paddling and skiing. The Adirondack High Peaks were her backyard playground and she's been notching such difficult challenges as the Range-in-a-day (many miles, much climbing) since an early age. She and her dad have pedaled across the country twice - west to east on road bikes and north to south on mountain bikes. I remember her doing the Lake Lauderdale Triathlon years ago and there have been many marathons and ultra-distance trail races since.
So, over a thousand miles of harsh desert and remote river canyons? No problem for Heather Mackey. But she did mention one bit of real suffering. She'd never spent much time riding horses. Those first hours in the saddle...man was her butt sore!
More on The River and the Wall and the Wood Theater.
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