This photo of Boo and Alasia Coker, photographed during a family outing in Coney Island, Brooklyn in 1991, will be on display at the GARNER Arts Festival this weekend. (Photo by Collette Fournier)
Another week into 2022 marks yet another long-awaited return for a beloved local festival.
For the first time since 2018, the GARNER Arts Festival, with an annual draw of over 3,000 visitors, returns to the historic hamlet of Garnerville, just a short, scenic trip up 9W from Nyack.
This weekend-long event offers world-class art exhibitions, large-scale installations, open studios, artisan demonstrations, live music, crafts, performances, craft beverages, food and more. GARNER Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 12 pm to 6 pm, rain or shine.
Vessel Series: Wood, Steel & Metal and artifact vessel sculpture by Peter Strasser
Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the GARNER Historic District, a reclaimed 14-acre, 19th century textile mill complex that has been transformed into one of the most compelling contemporary art venues and small business incubators outside of New York City. Visit 40 open artist studios. Meet painters, sculptors, illustrators, woodworkers, photographers, graphic designers, textile artists and more. Make art in a variety of creative workshops for kids and adults. Browse an eclectic craft show. Engage with art installations and interactive performances set in historic brick alleys, cavernous former factory spaces, and along the meandering Minisceongo creek. Live music, local food vendors, craft beverages and an artisanal coffee bar provide fuel for the experience.
Featured Art and Performances include Big Risks: Creative Discoveries large-scale “tree sculpture” exhibition by Peter Strasser; You Are Here (aka The Maze!) interactive installation by Brooklyn-based and internationally recognized duo TROUBLE; How’s That Going to Work?, a groundbreaking electro-acoustic composition by experimental composer John Morton with performances by Klang Quartet; Cover Lover Remix, an exhibition of reimagined album art and vinyl-centric activations curated by Brooklyn-based Dick Burroughs; a selection of decorated mannequins from the Art Reborn: 100 Mannequins Exhibition; #iamCOLOR large-scale tapestry installation by award-winning Rockland-based artist Kris Campbell; Queen Mother of Progress photography exhibition by globe-travelling photographer and photo-journalist Collette Fournier; interactive performances by Rockland-based contemporary drum and dance ensemble Chiku Awali; The Wishing Booth, a surreal creative visualization by filmmakers Samtubia + Sagoma; solo exhibition by painter and GARNER artist Tiffany Freeman in the Industrial Arts Brewing Co. taproom; music & interactive live art curated by performer & director Kate Valentine and more!
You Are Here! (aka The Maze) by TROUBLE
Family Activities include a Kids’ Creative Corner and youth art activity station. Regional Student Art Show featuring Rockland & Westchester County school art exhibitions.
Craft vendors will display and sell their handcrafted wares and dining and drinks will be available.
The GARNER Creekside food court will offer tastes of the best local food and craft beverage providers in the region, including: delicious made-to-order pies by Pizza Vitale, the eclectic flavorful offerings of Haverstraw’s 5 Senses food truck, the down-home smoky goodness of Big Daddy’s.
For more info, click here.
