AN ICY MORNING ..

It is an icy morning on Thursday, December 11. The first major storm will soon hit the upper Hudson Valley. So many random thoughts. Where do I begin?

This morning on WAMC, the local National Public Radio affiliate, I listened to a news item about NPR laying off 7% of their staff of 800, citing declining corporate gifts to the non-profit national radio service. Not good! I listen to WAMC constantly, especially in the morning, and late at night. At 11 p.m., WAMC features "As It Happens", a very entertaining and informative program produced by the CBC, Canada's public news broadcasting service. "AIH" has a global perspective that often touches on what is happening in the US. This program is followed by a four-hour broacast from the BBC, offering an unparalleled update on world news. WAMC is available throughout upstate eastern New York, western Massachusetts and Vermont, and northwestern Connecticut.

THIS WEEKEND .. On Saturday, December 13, people are invited to elebrate the season at Beattie-Powers Place from 3 to 5. This mid-19th century historic merchants house overlooking the Hudson River has undergone major restoration in recent times. Bequeathed to the Village of Catskill in the early '90s, a wide range of public programs are sponsored throughout the year by the Friends of Beattie-Powers. At a time of shrinking resources, this community effort deserves public support. Beattie-Powers Place is located at the northern end of Bridge Street. Refreshments will be served. Ask about membership!

The monthly "Second Saturday" evening stroll commences at 5 p.m., and continues until 9 p.m. From my own personal observation, the weather never dampens the spirits of hundreds of visitors who stroll along Catskill's historic Main Street. Most shops, galleries and restaurants will be open. Expect to be served refreshments at most businesses. Main Street, Catskill is the continuation of Route 23B (exit #21 of the New York State Thruway), just turn left as you exit the Thruway.

Rockwell Kent Will Open At New York State Museum

Albany, N.Y.- Nov 18th, 2008
:The next exhibition in Bank of America's Great Art Series, "Rockwell Kent: This is My Own," will be on view at the New York State Museum through May 17 in the West Gallery.
The exhibition will feature works from the collection of the Plattsburgh State Art Museum, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, the most complete and balanced collection of Kent's work in the United States.
The collection was established by a gift and bequest from Kent's wife, Sally Kent Gorton. This exhibition is curated by Cecilia M. Esposito, director of the Plattsburgh State Art Museum.
An artist who provided the illustrations for such classics as Moby Dick and the Canterbury Tales , Kent succeeded in multiple endeavors during his lifetime. He was a painter, muralist, illustrator, print maker, book designer, graphic artist, architect, builder, writer and editor, lecturer, navigator, world traveler and political and social activist.
This exhibition offers a breadth of materials on display, including hundreds of items that chronicle Kent's life and work, reflecting intensely personal experiences and a deep sense of moral and political principle.
On display will be paintings, drawings, prints, books, bookplates, photographs, dinnerware, advertising art and more. "Rockwell Kent," a documentary produced by Frederick Lewis, and the book, Rockwell Kent: The Art of the Bookplate will be for sale in the Museum Shop.
Born in Tarrytown in 1882, Kent experienced a comfortable, upper middle-class lifestyle until the sudden death of his father in 1887. As a young boy he developed a resilience and strong work ethic that was evident in all of his future endeavors.
Kent achieved both critical and financial success as an artist during the 1920s and 1930s. He became well known for his book illustrations, bookplates and commercial work. Private collectors and major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquired his paintings and prints.
Between 1918 and 1935, Kent traveled to remote parts of the world, often staying for long periods of time to learn about the people who lived there and to express and record his experiences through his paintings and books.
While editor and publisher of Northeast, I visited the extraordinary collection of work by Rockwell Kent in Plattsburgh years ago. I strongly recommend this exhibit now at the State Museum.