This year, the popular festival Upstate Art Weekend features several artists from the Czech Republic, thanks to a collaboration with the Gray Nivas artist residency founded by Petra Valentová, an AVU and UMPRUM graduate, and her husband in Accord, NY. Photographer Bára Prášilová and painter Francis de Nim (František Matoušek) will exhibit alongside local artists at the pop-up exhibition during UPAW. Pavel and Bára Liškovi will present a video installation in the space of the former 1965 hangar. The artistic group Die Früchte consisting of Veronika Šrek Bromová, Hanele Poislová with guest Jan Cina and musical accompaniment of experimental artist Ondřej Skala will present the art performance JUICY BLUE together with the with artist Petra Gupta Valentova and her blueprint fabrics.
Upstate Art Weekend, July 18-21, 2024
The Hudson Hangar, 1819 Berme Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446
Collaboration between Whimsey Flowers Farm and Gray Nivas in the pop-up space at The Hudson Hangar
Program: Open Thursday - Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Daily from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM special events/performances and pop-up performances by "Die Früchte" and other artists
Presenting Artists:
Andrea Loefke
Kathleen Vance
Ritika Bhattacharya and The Whimsey Farm
Jadina Lilien
Die Früchte group with their art performance JUICY BLUE: Veronika Šrek Bromová, Hanele Poislová, Jan Cina, and Ondřej Skala
Petra Valentová and Francis de Nim (František Matoušek)
Bára Prášilová
Pavel and Bára Liškovi
Upstate Art Weekend, (UPAW) is an annual festival celebrating the cultural richness and diversity of Upstate New York, focusing on local residents and tourists alike. The fifth edition will take place from July 18 to 21, 2024, covering ten counties in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. UPAW began in 2020 with 23 participants and has grown to over 145, attracting thousands of visitors. It includes local arts organizations, galleries, museums, residencies, and creative projects, along with special exhibitions and events. UPAW also creates an event program and a comprehensive Google map, which had over 320,000 views in 2023. The festival was founded by Helen Toomer and is supported by organizations like SPACE Design + Productions, and has been featured in prominent media such as The New York Times and Artnet News.
Photographer Bára Prášilová and painter Francis de Nim (František Matoušek) will exhibit alongside local artists at the pop-up exhibition during UPAW. Pavel and Bára Liškovi will present a video installation in the space of the former 1965 hangar.
The artistic group Die Früchte consisting of Veronika Šrek Bromová, Hanele Poislová with guest Jan Cina and musical accompaniment of experimental artist Ondřej Skala will present the art performance JUICY BLUE. The performance of Die Früchte is based on spontaneous action and intuitive approach. Their performances are shaped by the surrounding environment and context, in this case the connection with artist Petra Gupta Valenta and her blueprint fabrics, the atmosphere of the hangar space and the Hudson Valley environment. Veronika Šrek Bromová, Hanele Poislová, and Jan Cina were involved in the production of the fabrics, which were embellished with handmade stamps, brush marks, and impressions of their bodies. The blue colour they use symbolizes healing, revitalization, regeneration, heaven and water. The production of this paint is shrouded in mystery, can be poisonous and has blood roots. Die Früchte's performances also include an exploratory reflection on the world around us. The performances will be part of an exhibition at The Hudson Hangar during Upstate Art Week (UPAW).
The Hudson Hangar
Whimsey Flowers Farm, located in the upstate hamlet of Kerhonkson about 90 miles from New York City, is home to one of the last remaining private airports from the mid-20th century. The hangar from 1965, situated on the farm's grounds, has been restored to its original wood and metal structure. Inside hang beautiful vintage Valerio Bottini Bubble chandeliers and the space hosts regular art exhibitions, artist collaborations, and showcases handmade floral jewelry, leather accessories, footwear, and clothing designed directly at the farm.
In July 2024, the hangar will serve as the venue for a pop-up exhibition featuring several local and Czech artists collaborating on the fifth edition of the Upstate Art Weekend festival. We invite the public to visit this growing festival, which gains popularity each year. The wild nature of New York State has long inspired artists, including the renowned Hudson River School of Art. Small organic farms, diversity, beautiful landscapes, and a high concentration of creative individuals create an ideal environment for a weekend getaway.
