Nicole Edwards Front & Center

Some very interesting things have passed through the doors at RiverWinds Gallery in Beacon.

Photographer and co-owner Mary Ann Glass said that since the opening two years ago, there’s been a surge of fresh ideas from artists in the Hudson Valley.

As the owners celebrate two years in the quaint, one-room shop, exhibiting and selling fine art, crafts, paintings, photography, jewelry, apparel and home decor, things just seem to get better. Artists are getting exposure, tourists are seeing a variety of approaches to art in one location and are exploring the rest of the city’s galleries along the way.

‘‘When we first started out the store had much less in it,’’ Glass said. ‘‘We now represent 40 artists and craftspeople in the area.’’

This weekend, as Beacon kicks off another Second Saturday in which city galleries and businesses host special events and extend regular hours, RiverWinds will showcase a series of landscape paintings by Newburgh artist Peter Billman.

Found his own style
The Oyster Bay, Long Island, native graduated from Syracuse University, where he studied drawing and painting, but credits himself as being self taught.

‘‘That was in the days of abstract expressionism,’’ said Billman, who moved from South Carolina to Newburgh one year ago to restore a Federal-style house.

‘‘When I went to school, they weren’t teaching what I was wanting to learn. They give you a piece of chalk and say ‘express yourself.’ They didn’t teach you how to draw. There wasn’t much constructive criticism.’’

Billman has set up a gallery in the restored Goldsmith Dennison House, which also serves as a bed and breakfast.

He’s also participated in Barrett Art Center’s Paint Out in Millbrook and given some informal painting lessons.

‘‘I think with all this plein-air painting going on and people going out getting private lessons, this is wonderful,’’ said Billman, who particularly enjoys the area’s views of water. ‘‘I guess you’d call it a recent phenomenon that has kind of caught on like wildfire.’’

Glass is partners with Dutchess County artists Linda Hubbard, Kelly Makara and Virginia Donovan, who are all members of the Hudson Valley Guild. They find artists in all areas, from arts and crafts fairs to those who simply walk in.

‘‘It’s just amazing what’s out there,’’ Glass said.

Another interesting way art has come through the door has been from artists who show regularly there, including potter Nancy Bauch of Garrison. Glass said she brought in a set of bowls she had been creating during a 100-day silent retreat at home. Out of the retreat came a whole new body of work.

‘‘We provide an outlet for them to make a living,’’ Glass said. ‘‘We have found a real audience for this work and that’s what we’re trying to get out, and help the arts and crafts community.’’

RiverWinds is at 172 Main St. Call 845-838-2880 or visit http://www.riverwindsgallery.com/.
 

Nicole Edwards is the arts writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Write her c/o Poughkeepsie Journal, P.O. Box 1231, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602, call (845) 437-4881, or e-mail nedwards@poughkee.gannett.com.    Or log onto the Poughkeepsie Journal home page.