Upstate Art Weekend Welcomes Varga Gallery in Phoenicia Through New Open Studios Initiative

PHOENICIA — As part of this year’s expansive Upstate Art Weekend (UAW) 2025, Christina Varga opened the doors of her eclectic and imaginative Varga Gallery to the public, joining the newly launched Upstate Open Studios (UOS) tour. This more accessible tier of participation gave individual artists and small studios an affordable way to become part of New York’s largest and most celebrated upstate art event.

Hosted in her long-running space in the heart of Phoenicia, Varga transformed her working studio into a vivid solo exhibition of her provocative and playful collage work, original paintings, and wild visual assemblages. The event doubled as a behind-the-scenes experience and a showcase of new works, including handmade Varga Gallery tank tops she produced over the weekend.

“This was as organized as I ever get!” Varga joked. “I got to show my studio to people I’ve been wanting to bring in for a while. It felt amazing to meet so many curious and supportive visitors from all over, Brooklyn, Queens, Jersey, Philly, Baltimore.”

While Upstate Art Weekend has grown significantly, this year featuring over 150 participating artists, studios, and galleries across a vast swath of the Hudson Valley and Catskills, the introduction of Upstate Open Studios marked a significant step toward inclusivity. Designed for artists priced out of the standard UAW fee (reported at $400 by some previous participants), UOS allowed entry for as little as $50 via a sliding scale. The tradeoff: artists like Varga received less promotional coverage and weren’t featured as prominently on the official UAW website and maps.

Still, Varga emphasized the value of being involved. “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to be part of something this big. It’s the biggest art weekend in New York, and I got to share my work and studio with new faces from near and far.”

Beyond showcasing her art, Varga used the weekend to share a vision that extends far past a single event: she’s now actively promoting plans to transform her building into a multi-generational arts center, a community hub in Ulster County dedicated to arts education, youth programming, and supporting contemporary artists.

“People were excited when I talked about building an arts center here—something that could offer physical and digital art education, cultural events, and resources for artists across all stages,” she said. “The feedback was 100% positive, and it only makes me more excited for what’s next.”

That next step includes organizing the 3rd Annual Phoenicia Festival of the Arts, which Varga promises will be bigger and brighter than ever. She’s also preparing to unveil Ulster County’s first Community Mini Golf Course, a whimsical, interactive public art installation that will debut at the festival.

As both artist and community catalyst, Christina Varga’s participation in UAW via the Open Studios program exemplifies the spirit of inclusion and creativity that the weekend strives to cultivate. With plans for a new arts center and a growing festival under her wing, her studio may soon evolve into a central force for the arts in the Catskills.