Anti-Establishment 2012 exhibitin at Bard College/CCS Bard Galleries

in Annandale-on-Hudson

June - December

Check out Red Hook or Rhinebeck if you’re in the area. Or, cross the river and drive north to Saugerties.

pics taken from artforum, NY Times, and the CCS Bard site

WEEKEND GETAWAY

TOWN PROFILE: Phoenecia, NY in Ulster County

You won’t come across many people from the tristate area who enjoy spending time upstate that haven’t at some point enjoyed Phoenecia.  Only about two hours north from NYC, and right in the thicket of the Catskills, Phoenecia is a one road main street town. I love so much about it, it’s hard to fit it all into what’s supposed to be a succinct blog post. Basically, it is an ideal summer day trip or weekend getaway. Go up for tubing down the Esopus River (there is usually a discount coupon on the website), delicious breakfast at Sweet Sues or Bloody Mary’s and pizza at Brio’s - both classic beloved restaurants, and don’t forget the standard small ice cream shop.  Al’s Seafood, with its funny little pool in the back, isnt bad either for lobster.

Walk the small main street for art galleries, gift shops and country stores.  Don’t expect to find a gourmet food shop here though, so do that earlier (Route 28 has some places) on your trip up.  

There is camping right there on the river at Black Bear Campground or Sleepy Hollow Camp Site right off 28 or Devil’s Tombstone.  Make advance reservations to get better plots that are off the main road and on the water.  Or, you can read other beelocal Ulster County posts for inn or resort lodging and restaurants in the area.  

Have some beers in a cooler in your trunk so that when you’ve finished tubing the river you can grab a breski and drink it in the sun while lounging in your tube.  Pure heaven.

hiking?         theater?          farms and farmers markets? 

Shop Profiles:  ARCADIA in Chelsea and GALLERIA J ANTONIO in Alphabet City

When I have gift giving on the mind I often think of the above two stores to shop and/or at least browse.

Arcadia on 8th Avenue near 23rd Street is lovely - full of accesories, home goods, wall art and sculptures from around the world.  Owner Jay Gurewitsch focuses on fairly traded products, the simple and the beautiful.  Usually the merchandise I like best is pricey but I’ve found small affordable treasures before. Go to the second floor for stunning platters and vases.  Seriously.  With all my weddings and house warmings I’m suddenly into that sort of thing.

It is down right fun to visit Galleria J Antonio on Avenue A.  When everything else in the neighborhood is coming in and going out I’m relieved to see he is still there.  It’s an accessible studio selling jewelry, sculptures, wall art, glass products and, curiously enough, a ton of stunning judaica art and jewelry.  During my latest stroll through I fell in love with a delicate hamsa necklace, a strange tin can robot clock and the owner Jesse Gee.   

Town Profile: Sugar Loaf, NY (and Warwick, NY)

I’m taking my mom up to Sugar Loaf, NY in Orange County for mother’s day and, I’m super pumped about it.  Known for being a crafty artisan town, Sugar Loaf is just about an hour by car or bus from NYC- bus from Penn Station, which gets you into the neighboring town of Warwick (about 15 minutes away).  Map here.

Here we can do what we love - look at pretty things, be inspired by crafty ideas and explore.  Around since the 1700s, with a craft revival in the 1960s, the community is dedicated to upkeeing the historical and cultural history so many of the old buildings are still around and there is a plethora of cultural events throughout the year.  Most shops are open from Wednesdays - Sundays, 11 - 6 pm and in the summer shops stay open later every other Saturday of the month.   Farmer’s markets in the area open in June.

I’m particularly excited to check out the new store, The White Weathered Barn for reasons that are obvious if we have the same taste.  And, if Sugar Loaf disappoints for some reason (like an overly commercial Woodstock) then we can always head back over to the town of Warwick.  Hit up the farms, creameries and wineries (more info) and eat and drink until we burst. 

Having brunch at Warwick Valley Winery sounds like the right way to begin the day.  A little noontime Riesling never hurt mother/daughter time. 

some pics from artful danni’s flicker album

TOWN PROFILE: Cold Spring, New York 

In the heart of Hudson Highland mountains and along the Hudson River, this quaint but fairly touristy town is about an hour drive from NYC and easily accessible by trains.  The center of town is full antique and novelty shops, the outskirts full of hiking and sight seeing and in the summer it is a great place to canoe in the hudson river.  Truly a delightful day trip.  Stop off on your way north to Beacon, or incorporate a trip to Storm King Art Center  or a less cultural trip to Woodbury where you’ll find the outlets and other chain stores like Home Goods.

Find out more here and here

I came across some of my favorite antique/ flea market / better than junk shop here in Cold Spring.