Where did you grow up? What drew you to Saugerties?

Saugerties is my hometown! Though I went to college and worked in other cities in New York State – Rochester, Binghamton, Troy, Kingston, Poughkeepsie – I am happy to find my permanent home and establish my practice here in Saugerties. I am married and we are raising our daughter here – community involvement is a family value.

What is it you like most about Saugerties? 

There are two most compelling things about Saugerties: the natural beauty and the creative people who live here. Saugerties is unique in the Hudson Valley – it is the only town to butt the Esopus Creek and Hudson River. We have three nature preserves -  Esopus Bend, Falling Waters, Ulster Landing -  and one unique Lighthouse walk. There are hundreds of artists that live and work here and they make this community beautiful. Volunteerism is at the heart of Saugerties. Many of the Hudson Valley towns lack the small town charm that makes Saugerties feel so warm and inviting.

When did you first become aware of the artistic community in Saugerties? 

I grew up with two artists– art was a centerpiece of my childhood. My father restored a historic property from a state of ruin. This allowed me to witness the power of a creative vision and hard work. My father handcrafted my bed, treehouse, chairs, and toys. My mother –a playwright turned painter – had many performances that I attended as a child. Due to my mother I participated in Arm-of-the-Sea theater as a child, took dance and music classes. My father– a sculptor turned writer – encouraged my creativity through wood and cement sculptures that are displayed on their property.

How varied is the artistic community in Saugerties? What role does art play in the community? 

The artistic community in Saugerties encompasses all mediums that one could dream of– painters, musicians, theater performers, writers (poets, children’s book authors, playwrights, novelists) dancers, filmmakers, sculptors, magicians, designers, and more! My favorite projects to have worked on have been public and community based and the ones where I have helped artists collaborate or participate with one another on the same project: bringing art to the pollinator garden with help of a Shout Out grant, using art to raise awareness about social justice in storefront windows, providing free books to children written by local writers, selecting artists to use discarded books to create beauty in the stacks of our local library.

What are the goals of the Saugerties Arts Community?

We all know that art brings beauty, tourism, and money. People are consciously or unconsciously attracted to creatives. Artists are magical creatures who have things living in their minds that they convey to others in beautiful ways. There is an abundance of creative people who are attracted to Saugerties. I feel the Saugerties Arts Commission will enhance the town aesthetically and economically by promoting Saugerties as a vibrant arts town.