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This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Housed in the former residence of Poughkeepsie painter and print-maker Thomas Barrett, the Barrett Art Center will kick off the 25th annual New Directions Contemporary Art Exhibit this Saturday.
Spanning until Saturday Nov. 21, this national juried event will feature 57 pieces chosen from over 700 submissions. Among the “cutting edge” contemporary pieces are paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and abstract mixed media pieces.
Considering the diversity of work and the judiciary presence of Joan Young, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan, New Directions ‘09 ensures a museum quality exhibit right on Noxon Street in Poughkeepsie.
Akin to the spectrum of work, the participants themselves come from different cities and artistic backgrounds. According to Laurie Clark, Exhibition Director at the Barrett Art Center, artists included in New Directions range from ages 18 to 80 and are from cities from Poughkeepsie to Denver, Colo.
“You get to see pieces from all over the country,” said Clark. “It gives people an opportunity to see work that they might have to go to many different galleries to see.”
According to Young, the judicial decisions were made with a focus on creating a professional atmosphere while representing each medium respectively.
“I wanted the range to represent the people who submitted work,” she said. “I think it’s a very diverse exhibition in terms of media and conceptual approaches.”
Although paintings, photographs and prints will hang beneath 175-year-old hand-carved wood door frames and adjacent to rustic 1830’s furniture, Clark is confident that the quality of work in this show will rival that of a mainstream Manhattan exhibit.
She said that the work is very professional and that “when visitors come into the art center, they’ll feel like they’re in a New York City gallery.”
Clark is also excited and enthusiastic about the 14 Hudson Valley residents whose pieces were chosen for the event.
One such artist is New Paltz resident Jim Adair. Adair’s 12-year art career has consisted of painting for leisure in his studio, teaching watercolor at the Barrett Art Center and hanging his work during their only national juried event.
Like Clark, Adair is confident about the professionalism of work in this exhibit. He is also honored that he is considered among such unique and diverse artists.
“It’s pretty high quality work,” said Adair. “… So you always feel good if you can make it in.”
The number of local artists involved in this show endorses the significance of community-oriented art centers. Community members are welcome to view and submit work, as well as study different disciplines of art at the Barrett Art Center.
“We’ve seen people start as amateur artists develop their skills, begin to show at Barrett, and then go on to show at other galleries,” said Clark. “That’s what a community art center should do.”
Although cash prizes are ultimately awarded to the three best pieces in the show, Adair does not concern himself with the possibility of money. He notes that there is little money in the art business; so hoping for recognition over cash will yield more significant rewards.
From this perspective, Adair cares little about the competitive aspect and more about the manner in which the exhibit will impact visitors as well as other artists.
“It’s going to be a nice show and people will be influenced by it,” he said. “The more the merrier in this business.”
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