This Must Be The Place By Sheila Trautman Sept 12-Oct 10 at Main Street Community Center - Opening Reception Sept 13

WINDHAM — Approaching the end of summer, where is your favorite place, the one that makes you stop and savor the aha moment: This is the place? Whether it is the city or the country that is your favorite place this show will stimulate your emotions and evoke a sense of love and place. Join Windham Arts Alliance at the Main Street Community Center for a stimulating new show This Must Be The Place on September 13 at 3:00 pm.

Most famous artists have a favorite place that motivates and excites them. Claude Monet found inspiration in the French countryside from 1883 to 1926 at his home in Giverny, France. There some of his most famous works were painted of his lily pond, Japanese Bridge and magnificent gardens. This was where he spent much of his time cultivating his gardens and deriving not only inspiration but also a deep love of nature. A Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies can be seen at Metropolitan Museum in NY.

Georgia O'Keeffe found inspiration in the natural beauty of Lake George, including the lake itself, the trees, the hills, and the sky. There her artwork became more abstract and emphasized color over an exact copy of what she saw. By painting the same places repeatedly she was able to broaden her perspective and develop the style and strength we see in her works. Later, she lived at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu New Mexico, painting the beauty of the desert with its ever- changing colors. She was also inspired by the rich culture of the area. She said, “All the earth colors of the painter’s palette are out there in the many miles of bad lands [sic]. The light Naples yellow through the ochres - orange and red and purple earth - even soft earth greens” (Georgia O’Keeffe, 1939). Sheila Trautman remembers visiting Ghost Ranch and staying in the house next to hers. “I can understand how this environment inspired her use of brilliant color to describe the red, yellow and purple mountains and cliffs all around her home. The colors are constantly changing and even one view can inspire many paintings.” 

Not all artists are attracted to unspoiled settings. Edward Hopper is well known for his paintings in cities. He depicted common-place scenes in ordinary places. His works were often a combination of realism and modern art. Through his use of light, shadows and angles he creates a feeling of solitude and contemplation. It is often said that his paintings create more questions than answers. Many of his scenes - such as Early Sunday Morning, which can be seen at the Whitney Museum - shows solitude and the quiet of a city street early in the morning. It was painted in 1930 after the Crash. Each of us can come to our own conclusion about the meaning behind it. His most famous painting is Nighthawks depicting a diner with four people sitting inside. There is no visible door, which makes this a scene of either calm or drama. Each of us are enticed into deciding.

Like each of these famous artists, the participants in the This Must be the Place show were asked to paint their favorite place. What locations have inspired artists to enter this show? Join us and find out. Laura Avello, Athena Billias, and Sheila Trautman curated the show. Here is what they say.

Laura Avello says, “Whenever I get by a beach and see the sea I think, "Aha this my place! It is just so relaxing." 

Sheila Trautman enjoys juxtaposing calm gardens with a dynamic city saying, “ The High Line in New York City is a surprisingly idyllic place to wander. It was created along the old train tracks in lower Manhattan and planted with a self-seeding perennial garden of shrubs, trees and grasses. The view from the Highline is of city buildings. Walking along looking down at the city is one of my favorite things to do in NY and has inspired several paintings.”  

Athena Billias is a passionate local artist who explains her favorite Mountaintop place with real excitement. “THIS IS THE PLACE! I live here because I am a painter. The sights and the seasons, the changes and the rarity and frequency of wildlife sightings thrill me every day. The Hudson River school of artists led by Thomas Cole and his fellow artists are a true inspiration to me. Their philosophy of preserving nature through art is especially compatible with my own feelings about living here. Sanford Robinson Gifford (born in Hudson, NY) is my favorite. When I first saw the Kaaterskill Clove from various hiking trails at North Lake, I understood Gifford and the artists of that time with my whole heart.  THIS is THE place! And this is the art I want to make. Even if my art falls short, I love the fact that SOMEONE has done it PERFECTLY!”

WAA is thrilled to share this show with everyone. We are also looking forward to introducing a new band to the Community Center and our neighbors and visitors to the Mountaintop.

Windham Arts Alliance is excited to present the Running the River duo. Mara Lehman was thrilled to be able to get these performers to entertain us at the This Must be the Place opening at the Main Street Community Center on September 13 at 3:00 pm. Running the River is a duo featuring Barry Weinstein on fiddle and Neil Yetwin on guitar and vocals. They perform a wide variety of traditional American folk songs, fiddle tunes, western ballads and originals. The duo credits musical influences from Erick Friedman, Mark O’Connor, Kenny Baker and Alison Krauss to Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family and early Bob Dylan. Running the River performs regularly at coffeehouses, clubs, cultural events, fairs, festivals, town concerts and private venues throughout the Capital Region and beyond. Barry Weinstein states, “Running the River is exciting to play in Windham because we have performed in Greene County for many years now and cherish the vibrant arts scene that thrives in the beautiful Catskills.” To hear a sample of their music go to: https://www.facebook.com/RunningtheRiver 

Please join the WAA at the Main Street Community Center to see what our arts community has created to describe the theme This Must be the Place.  Enjoy free admission, art, music, and refreshments as well as an opportunity to meet the artists.