The many benefits of art in our community

The Harlem Valley has been going through something of a renaissance during the past number of years. Some of its towns and villages have morphed from dilapidated and run-down into charming and sophisticated. Others are still in the midst of a recovery, but well on their way to becoming unique, stylish, welcoming towns, villages and hamlets, sure to soon register on the radars of many.

Certainly one of the more notable “rebirths†applies to the village of Millerton, once the region’s diamond in the rough but now, inarguably, a gleaming gem attracting the attention of visitors from near and far. Part of that change is due, in large measure, to the way in which the village has welcomed artists and art of every style and medium. That very conscious decision has made way for a creative community to take root and encourage one-of-a-kind shops and cafes, businesses and restaurants, to move in and call Millerton home. Artists of all types, whether painters, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, sculptors, poets, dancers or any others, have indeed converged here and breathed life into the Millerton we all know and love.

The result has been fabulous. There are now events like “Fall for Art,†which is in its second year. Oct. 23 and 24, the Millerton Business Group is sponsoring the event in which village businesses will showcase work from local artists. Stores will be open late, serve refreshments and offer a party atmosphere. Participants will follow a map, a la a treasure hunt, and those who complete the hunt will qualify to win one of three gift baskets full of goods and services donated by Millerton merchants. Last year hundreds attended the event.

That’s just one example of Millerton’s success as an “artsy†community. Then there’s the 14th Colony artists collective, a group of artists from the Tri-state region who show their art periodically at the former David Gavin salon space at the rear of Railroad Plaza, as well as other locations.

If you’re more interested in music, there have been plenty of options this summer with the Music in the Annex concert series, put on by the library (and organized by Roger Cohn). The series has been free to the public and has offered an amazing array of music. The NOW!Concert series was also organized this year, offering contemporary chamber music; more concerts are planned for the new year.

Farther south there’s The Wassaic Project, which has its big event in the summer, but still offers smaller events year round. The Artist Residency program is hosting its final Open Studios this Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Luther Livestock Auction Barn. A potluck dinner at the Wassaic Community Farm adjacent to the barn will follow. For more on the whole project, which is an “artist-run, sustainable, multi-disciplinary arts organization that focuses on community interaction,†log onto wassaicproject.org.

Then there’s ArtEast, a free, self-guided, open tour of artists along the eastern part of Dutchess County, in its fourth year this October. It will hit northern Dutchess (Dover to Millerton) this weekend, Oct. 16 and 17, and southern Dutchess (Patterson to Wingdale) next weekend, Oct. 23 to 24. This year 24 artists will be featured. For more information or a brochure, call 845-855-1676 or e-mail lonnak@verizon.net.

There are other areas and entities that nurture the arts, be it the Millbrook School, with its beautiful, glamorous gallery that any professional would be lucky to show at let alone any student, or the Millbrook Free Library, which showcases work by local artists each month, just like its counterpart, the NorthEast-Millerton Library.

These are just a few of the many places where area residents can find art in their everyday life. It’s a gift, truly, because it enriches our lives. Art also makes our surroundings more vibrant and encourages them to thrive. Art attracts people to our areas and fosters positive associations with our towns, villages and hamlets. Art also makes our days more enjoyable and beautiful, and increases our creativity. That, too, is really positive. For all of those reasons and more, art can very simply translate into dollars for our communities. Ahh, right brain has just met left brain, and the introduction was picture perfect.