Celebrating Animals
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Director, Development & Marketing, Arts Mid-Hudson for The Poughkeepsie Journal
The Howland Cultural Center, often referred to as “The Jewel of Beacon”, rings in the new year with “Celebrating Animals” in its lower-level gallery. This exhibit is a culmination of 30 artists who explore the existence of animals not only in nature but in our homes, neighborhoods, zoos and our imaginations. The result of their reflection is unique works ranging from photos to drawings to paintings and sculptures. Our own relationship with animals is deep and complex, whether it brings you immense joy remembering your childhood pet, innate fear of a creature from a storybook or curious awe of the majestic wild. Each of these works is a celebration of the great relationship between man and animal.
Taking a counter-clockwise turn around the gallery, you are eased into your encounter with the many varieties of animals in the exhibit. A graphite drawing of a cow, fish and frog; a photograph of a muddy pink pig at a farm; an oil on canvas dark horse that is highlighted as if by lightning; and a pair of paintings of a chicken and a rooster that delightfully go about their business. Then, by the time you make it to the first corner of the gallery, you stop in your tracks by Jane Cassetta’s “The Vanishing Wolf.” This oil on canvas work embodies the strength and protection of the wolf, looking into the distance with background colors blending with the wolf’s fur. What does it see? Are its eyes set on its next meal or guarding its family?
The following panels reveal more animals from the wild with their families including monkeys, bears, and giraffes. Beautiful, up-close portraits of cardinals, robins, bluebirds, owls, and hawks allow you to feel like you are a part of this incredible ecosystem with all eyes staring at you. Karen E. Gersch’s, “The Gaze,” acrylic on canvas features a mysterious owl with eyes gazing, telling, patiently waiting to take flight.
Moving to more domestic animals, Philomena Kiernan’s, “Faces of Mickey” tells the story of a pup who Kiernan adopted from Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Poughkeepsie. This digital photo collage is an endearing look at this older southern gentleman who found Kiernan in the height of the pandemic and continues to bring joy, love, and companionship to his family.
Rounding out the final corner of the room are illustrations from the “Hello My Name is Bunny” series. Bunny is actually a black cat with piercing green eyes and a white paw. The ink, felt tip, color wash drawings enchant the viewer with her adventures across Manhattan. The story by Matt Bloom and Shelley Simmons-Bloom, features a small kitty with a big heart who’s finally found her fur-ever home. A portion of the funds of every book sold is donated to KittyKind in New York City where Bunny was adopted.
Animals inspire us, whether from our own home, experience in nature or fantasy created in our minds. “Celebrating Animals” will bring you to every season, every corner of the world and back again.
Participating Artists: Luz Ahumada, Angela Antunes, Sandra Belitza-Vazquez, Yvonne Capone, Jane Cassetta, Tom Conroy, Josiah H. Dearborn, Stephanie Dignan, Jan Dolan, Stephanie Fogarty, Pamela Garfield, Karen E. Gersch, Cindy Gould, Ron Hershey, Gemma Kahng, Philomena Kiernan, Daniel Laury, William Loeb, Linda Lynton, Sean McCarthy, Susanne Moss, Jean Noack, Maureen Norcross, Marlo Richards, Shelley Simmons-Bloom, Joseph Sundwall, Robyn Tauss, Hanna Washburn, Anna West, Theresia Winterleitner
If you go:
Celebrating Animals
Howland Cultural Center,477 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12506
Dates: January 8 – February 26, 2022
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. (closed Sun. Feb. 7)
Contact: 845-831-4988
www.howlandculturalcenter.org
Current COVID precautions will be observed