The 20th annual Fall for Art takes place in a new venue this year. After holding the juried exhibit, sale and fundraising cocktail reception at Kingston’s Wiltwyck Golf Club for 19 years running, event coordinators found that more space was needed to accommodate the growing number of artists involved in the extravaganza. “That’s a good problem to have!” says event chair Barbara Cohen. “We loved it at Wiltwyck, but at the Chateau, we have room for more art.”
Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Ulster County (JFUC), Fall for Art is a tradition that honors exemplary artwork and artists while raising much-needed funds for local human services organizations, including the Hudson Valley Food Bank, Family of Woodstock, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), People’s Place, Angel Food East and Jewish Family Services, among others. Each year a special recipient is honored for its contribution to the community; this time it’s the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County.
As president Heidi Kirschner has said, the Y is not just a gym. Established here in 1866, the nonprofit organization provides numerous recreational programs and services for all ages. It runs camps and classes for children and adults, along with aquatic lessons and activities, offers health and fitness programs and provides day care for young people – all of which builds skills for individuals and nurtures relationships amongst community members. Cohen says, “We’re donating up to $1,000 worth of artworks to be displayed in their facility. We’re thrilled to be able to do something for this valuable organization.” She explains that giving back to worthy organizations has to do with tikkun olam, a Jewish concept defined by acts of kindness performed to repair the world.
Above and beyond these ongoing monetary contributions, special recognition has been bestowed on the Emerging Artists of the Hudson Valley Competition, Arts with a Heart (Alzheimer Association), the Saugerties Boys & Girls Club, the Rosendale Theatre Collective, Shadowland Theatre, the Ulster County Purchase Award, Children’s Annex of Ulster County, SUNY-Ulster, the Arts Society of Kingston, Friends of Historic Kingston, the Benedictine Center, the Center for Creative Education, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY-New Paltz, the Ulster Arts Alliance, Kingston City Hall and a financial prize to local high schools for the Fall for Art Logo Contest.
“When we first started, who knew that we’d continue for 20 years?” says Cohen. “After a while, we realized the potential – and we’ve changed the event in many ways. For example, at first it was devoted to artists with two-dimensional work: oil, pastel, watercolor. Then we decided to have pottery, jewelry and glass. That’s also art! We did a Call for Entry for works in sterling silver, gems and beads, and items at different price levels, et cetera, along with the two-dimensional artwork. Including new categories was a big deal; there’s more to choose from now… In addition, our sponsorship support has grown. Artists, sponsors and guests are the three components that are necessary. We need all three for success.”
Art-lovers have the opportunity to meet the 32 professional artists personally, learn firsthand about their work – and shop. The participating artists are Jane Bloodgood-Abrams, oil painting; Harriet Forman Barrett, jewelry; Susan Basch, jewelry; Janet Baskerville, jewelry; Sara Beames, fused glass; Michael Citron, photography; Ann Egan, jewelry; Mira Fink, watercolor; John Fischer, photography; John Franklin, wood art; Robert Gartner, photography; Alexa Ginsburg, fiber; Deborah Goldman, porcelain; Katie Grove, watercolor; Glenn Grubard, mixed media; Melanie Hall, illustrated books; Maxine Kamin, photography; Louise Lefkovits, mixed media; Barbara Tepper Levy, ceramics; Karen Lloyd, fiber; Joanne Martignoni, watercolor; Amy McAden, baby knits; Rick Pantell, printmaker; Fran Raia, fiber; Sally Rothchild, pottery; Mitchell Saler, oil; M’Lou Sorrin, acrylic/pastel/oil; Raychel Wengenroth, silversmith; Karen Whitman, linocut; Liz Horn & Ron Zukor, jewelry; as well as selected paintings and sale of work from the estate of Estelle Tambak.
20th annual Fall for Art, Thursday, September 8, 5-9 p.m., $45 advance/$50 at door, The Chateau, 240 Boulevard, Kingston; (845) 338-8131, www.fallforart.org, www.ucjf.org.
Join the family! 
