Abstract Artists Strike a Chord at the Galli Curci Theater

MARGARETVILLE — Margaretville was buzzing Friday evening as Arena Arts Initiative welcomed visitors to Rattle and Hum, a vibrant exhibition of abstract art curated by Deven Golden at Galli-Curci Project Space. Featuring sixteen accomplished artists, the exhibition demonstrates that while the Catskills remain celebrated for their landscape tradition, abstraction has developed an equally compelling place within the region's creative community.

The title Rattle and Hum evokes the rhythms of music as much as painting. Borrowed from the name of a Manhattan bar that Golden once passed, it also recalls the emotional energy of U2's celebrated album and film. The exhibition encourages viewers to think less about analyzing paintings and more about experiencing them through instinct and feeling.

Organizer Brent Rumage explained that this year's exhibition marks the fifth annual presentation by Arena Arts Initiative and the first collaboration between himself and Golden."This is our fifth year," Rumage said. "Deven curated the show with sixteen artists, primarily abstract painters."

Rumage described the exhibition's central idea as the different emotional reactions viewers may have when encountering a work of art. "Sometimes you see a work and it rattles you," he said. "Sometimes it hums. With a little reflection, those feelings can switch. This is a show that intends to both rattle and hum."

While abstract art is often associated with large metropolitan galleries, Golden pointed out that thirteen of the sixteen participating artists have homes in the Catskills or spend significant time in the region. Only three artists were invited from New York City. "I didn't really think of it as an upstate versus city thing," Golden said. "I knew all these artists, and I've known many of them for years."

Golden explained that the exhibition grew from a simple realization while visiting an artist's studio years ago. "I was thinking how his paintings hurt," he recalled. "Then I started thinking things either rattle or they hum." That observation eventually became the foundation for an exhibition centered on emotional response rather than academic interpretation. "Enough with the theory, language and text," Golden said. "People experience painting. I wanted to focus on how you feel when you look at the painting, not what you think about it."

Golden's decades of experience as an artist, curator and gallery director gave him confidence in assembling the exhibition. Having previously directed galleries in Chicago, Soho and Chelsea before becoming a full-time artist himself, he relied upon long-established relationships with participating artists. Despite expecting months of logistical challenges, the entire process unfolded with surprising ease. "Everyone said yes right away," Golden said. "All the paperwork came back immediately." Even the installation exceeded his expectations. "I gave myself a week," he said. "It only took two hours to lay it out."

Among the many memorable works, Dave Ortiz offered colorful interpretations inspired by rural life, transforming familiar barns and farm animals into lively compositions built through bold design and imaginative color relationships. His paintings demonstrated how abstraction can remain deeply connected to place while moving beyond literal representation.

Gory Gissler explored themes drawn from classic literature, creating paintings that encouraged viewers to consider emotion, memory and imagination rather than narrative alone. Each composition invited personal interpretation while revealing remarkable technical confidence. Beth Reismon's paintings radiated with rich reds and luminous color harmonies that seemed to pulse with organic energy. Her work demonstrated how color itself can become the primary subject, creating emotional intensity without relying on recognizable imagery.

Donna Tadelmon contributed some of the exhibition's most playful moments. Her energetic patterns and rhythmic compositions delighted viewers, pulling the eye across each surface with an infectious sense of movement and joy.

The exhibition also features work by Gory Stephan, Michele Araujo, Suzanne Joelson, Colin Thomson, Jeffrey Bishop, Rick Brigg, Don Voisine, Lindsay Walt, Onane Stender, Adam Simon and Natashe Sweeten, creating an impressive survey of contemporary abstract painting from artists working throughout the region and beyond. For Golden, however, the greatest satisfaction came not from the successful opening reception but from seeing the artists pleased with the final presentation. "I'm happy that the artists are happy," he said. "I'm happy that nobody feels they were put in a corner."

Ultimately, he admitted the exhibition was also deeply personal."What if you could have a room, get a bunch of artists you like, and make the show that you want to see?" Golden said. "I got to do that."

As visitors wandered through the gallery, pausing before paintings that alternately challenged, soothed and surprised them, the evening concluded with a renewed appreciation for the richness of contemporary abstract art in the Catskills. Golden's enthusiasm never felt burdened by the responsibilities of curating. Instead, it reflected the genuine joy of someone who continues to be inspired by painting after decades in the art world. His uplifting spirit carried throughout the exhibition, inviting viewers to slow down, trust their own emotional responses and rediscover the simple wonder that fine art can inspire.