Historic Huguenot Street has announced the return of Artists on the Street, an all-day plein air event showcasing the talents of nearly 20 renowned Hudson Valley artists, including Kevin Cook, Daisy Deputhod, Carolyn Hutchings Edlund, Alan McKnight, Marlene Wiedenbaum, and others. The annual event takes place on the second Saturday in August each year, this year on August 12 from 11 am – 5 pm. It is an opportunity for the public to watch and engage with local artists as they work, creating paintings inspired by the landscape of the Huguenot Street National Historic Landmark District.
This year’s event has been expanded to celebrate a wider variety of arts and culture. Maps will be available denoting the location of each artist participating across the site. Ei’s Fries and The Flying Food Truck will be on site for guests’ enjoyment.
Muralist Eugene Stetz, most known in New Paltz for his mural on the corner of Main and North Chestnut Streets, will participate this year, creating a large work in spray paint. The 28-year-old self-taught painter has created about 70 large-scale murals all across the country, including a 30-foot mural at Rondout Valley High School, from which he graduated.
Local singer/songwriter Ciarra Fragale will perform her indie folk repertoire on the Deyo House lawn beginning at 1 pm, followed by singer/songwriter Patrick Collins at 2:30 pm. Writing songs since the age of 13, Fragale has played at venues all throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, including the acclaimed Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs. Her full length debut album, Seasons, was released in April. Homegrown in the Hudson Valley, Collins is a former skateboarder who turned to music following an ankle injury. His album, Folks Forgotten, was released in 2016.
New Paltz Brewing Company (Pfälzerbräu) will be on site, serving its fresh handcrafted German-style lagers, specialized with old world European recipes, starting at noon. The brewery’s Hefeweizen, Rauchbier Amber Lager, and Grätzer beers have all won awards at the annual TAP® New York beer tasting competition.
At 4 pm, visitors are invited to an Artists’ Reception on the Deyo House lawn, during which many of the participating artists will have their works available for sale. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and classical musician Eric Roth will perform on a 19th-century guitar. Roth’s interest in period instruments began at SUNY New Paltz, from which he graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. In addition to music, Eric has worked as an archivist, historian, and grant writer, including as an Archivist and Executive Director at Historic Huguenot Street.
The all-day event will also feature face painting and an activities tent for children and families.
This event is free and open to the public, rain or shine, sponsored by Woodland Pond at New Paltz, Dawes Septic & Repair, and the DuBois Family Association.