Red Maple Vineyards RMV

Recently, I was invited to exhibit some of my sculpture work at the Red Maple Vineyard at the RMV Cellars’ outdoor sculpture garden. RMV Cellars is a fabulous tap house in West Park serving a line of their award-winning small batch, house-made wines, craft

beers, and even ciders.

Originally an 1800s dairy farm, Red Maple Vineyardsis made up of 85 acres and was purchased in November 2012 by Gary and Liz Stone. Along with their daughter Shae, they opened RMV Cellars in 2023 along with its restaurant. RMV quickly became a popular community
hub to escape to for fine food and adult beverages. If that wasn’t enough, they set out to create a magnificent dream space for wedding venues in a beautifully renovated 1800 cow barn with a dash of rustic elegance.

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Part of their vision has been to make the property at RMV Cellars a popular venue for Public Art. Upon meeting Gary, I could tell he was passionate about marrying art with Red Maple Vineyard. His vision is to make this one of the first places in Ulster County to embrace the importance of providing a venue that can serve as a collaboration between artists, businesses, patrons, community, and tourism. The presence of sculpture in this venue provides a unique experience that adds another dimension to view a significant collection of sculptures with a beautiful backdrop of nature as you casually walk along friendly pathways outside the usually stuffy environment of a gallery or museum. This is truly a unique opportunity to slow down and take a moment to appreciate art. The sculptures can shape the environment making even the most spectacular setting a little different and interesting by adding drama/suspense.

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For this show, and because of the scale of the space, I chose to stay with my Stone and Steel Totem Series. These larger-scale pieces may seem to fit into a modernist pop tradition but are more rooted in an archaic, primitive culture. In all my work, I try not to over-ra-
tionalize composition, but because of fabrication concerns, I will often resolve the Totemic monolithic series as Maquettes first which are usually based on a series of
preliminary drawings of an idea. Usually frontal in their presentation, they are meant to
be arresting and 0erceived instantly and hopefully more direct in their appreciation and construction. They rebel against the banality of our modern culture and demand more time for exploration and discovery. I feel my work is protean in nature and I strive to
invoke some inner dialogue or meditations with the viewer. 

 

My sculptures are there for those who may wish to approach them unprejudiced.

For website and directions, click below:

 Red Maple Vineyard, 112 Burroughs Drive, West Park, NY

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Water Street Market in New Paltz, New York, was conceived and created as a community gathering place over 25 years ago.  Five years ago, the DENIZEN Theatre for  Cinema Arts was built to enhance and donate to a growing iconic cultural gathering place.

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Continuing the tradition of supporting the arts, Water Street Market has asked me to show some of my sculptures. 

 

This venue acts as an extension of my studio and garden. Unlike a gallery, where only a limited number of people will see them, this venue assures a larger number of people who will be able to interact with the artwork and adds another dimension to what might have been just another routine shopping experience. 

 

I thoughtfully designed and curated the Water Street Market Outdoor Sculpture Walk  to  share my work in a public setting for all to enjoy, along with the other talented artists. 

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I enjoyed marking the Market with curious objects to add some fun and mystery. Working with the supportive tenants, we integrated a large number of sculptures with-in the Market’s blend of European and Modern Architecture.

 

People often try to find some idea of what a piece of art is about, so I encourage you to explore your ideas, without fear of being judged.  Enjoy the show and I welcome your questions and comments.  

Click below for more information:

Water Street Market, New Paltz, NY

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