Experience “Art in the Gardens” as Part of ArtsFest

This year’s ArtsFest (October 20 through 23) will showcase art in unusual settings as New Rochelle Healthy Yards, the Lincoln Park Conservancy and the New Rochelle Artists Association collaborate to present “Art in the Gardens,” an opportunity for the public to enjoy free art exhibits in three different gardens, each with its own special character.

“Art in the Gardens” will take place on Saturday, October 22nd and Sunday, October 23rd as part of ArtsFest, an exciting weekend-long celebration of the arts organized by the non-profit New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA). A complete calendar is available at www.newrochellearts.org.

On Saturday, October 22nd the Lincoln Park Conservancy will combine an exhibit highlighting work inspired by -- and displayed in -- native plant gardens from 12 noon to 4 pm with a live jazz performance by Jon Backer & Friends (from 1 to 3 pm). Mixed Media artists Hildy Martin, Cynthia Reid and Judith Weber will exhibit work and conduct an on-going "Make It and Take It" collage workshop, while ceramic artists Rose Foley, Robin Henschel and Vicky Youngman will exhibit both functional and sculptural ceramic work inspired by gardens.

On the other end of town at 44 Wilmot Circle a private garden will be open to the public from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, featuring works from selected NRAA artists – all inspired by nature and/or designed to enhance a garden -- on display and for sale. Artists include Devora Lans (glass), Marisa Boan (photographs) and paintings by Lisa D’Amico and Olympia Gambacorta.

And then on Sunday, October 23rd from 2 pm to 6 pm a private garden at 30 Oakdale Avenue will host NRAA artists including Kat Sayegh (Mixed Media), Keith Gordon (Ceramics), and paintings by Lisette Overwheel, Lorie Gurian, and Theresa Beyer.

“Arts in the Garden” is a cooperative effort spearheaded by artists and gardeners Amy Ehrlich of Healthy Yards, Judith Weber, a member of both the Lincoln Park Conservancy and the NRCA, and New Rochelle Artists Association member Theresa Beyer.

“There is a growing awareness across New Rochelle about the importance of local back yard lawn management to support our environment,” says Amy Ehrlich. “Arts are a vehicle to communicate the critical issues of our times. Collaborating with artists, especially those whose work focuses on nature, we hope to both highlight our environmental mission and support local artists.” She says the opportunity to create the Arts in the Garden events as part of ArtsFest blends “art and a vital message.”

Theresa Beyer is among the featured artists. “I've always been interested in painting from nature, but the pandemic and exploring Chinese art has really gotten me looking closely at the natural world and thinking about what we value and what plants can do to replenish the soul”, says Beyer. “Since 2018 and a sabbatical in Hong Kong I've been exploring the world of Chinese Ink Painting along with western style watercolors and seeing how the two different ways of approaching art can complement each other.”

Keith Gordon is also looking forward to participating in the Art in the Garden event. A potter and sculptor who has been making ceramic art since 1971, Gordon established the Cedar Lane Arts Center in Ossining where he manages the clay studio and teaches adult classes. An officer of the Ossining Arts Council and the Hudson River Potters, Gordon is also co-owner of Croton River Artisans Gallery in Croton-On-Hudson, NY. (Some of his work can be seen at http://CageyCreations.Weebly.com.)

“My work encompasses functional and sculptural stoneware and raku ceramics. I seek to maximize the 3-D potential of clay and am inspired by organic forms in Nature,“ says Gordon. “I am bringing new sculptures and garden-related functional work to New Rochelle for the Art in the Gardens event.”

The official ArtsFest calendar can be downloaded from NRCA’s website www.newrochellearts.org. ArtsFest sponsors include ArtsWestchester, Gwendolen Appleyard Trust, New Rochelle IDA, Charles Fazzino, Mill Creek Residential, Alvin & Friends Restaurant, Cappelli, L+M Wilder Balter, New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, RXR, The Standard, Town House and in-kind sponsors AJ’s Burgers and New Rochelle Public Library.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive George Latimer.