NEW YORK, N.Y.- The New Masters on Main Street opened February 26th to a drum beat of media coverage and sidewalks teeming with visitors to view 13 contemporary exhibitions from students and recent alumni of studio art programs across the United States. Exhibitions include hot new artists from the School of Visual Arts, SUNY New Paltz, Bard College, School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Vassar College lining Main Street in Catskill's vacant storefronts. The region’s newest radio station, WGXC (90.7-FM) recorded audio interviews with Masters on Main Street artists, available at their website. These storefront galleries are on view 24/7 with two interior group exhibitions open Saturdays 12-4 at 473 Main Street & 396 Main Street. Visitors can download an exhibit map at greenearts.org. Round 1 exhibits are on view through May 31, 2011.

Catskill is the birthplace of American art with The Thomas Cole National Historic Site only three blocks away from Main Street nestled next to the Hudson River. Main Street boasts an architecturally intact 19th century commercial strip, which has recently completed a facade improvement program. Cole's transcendent vision is alive and well in the wave of contemporary artists, audiences and collectors who make the Hudson Valley their home. Museum groups visit here throughout the year and collectors come from across the country for special events at Thomas Cole’s Cedar Grove and Fredrick Church’s home, Olana. This region is fast becoming an important destination for travelers from all over the country and the world. Cruise ships dock at Catskill’s historic riverfront park on cultural pilgrimages exploring the area. A number of prestigious artist residency programs have taken root here as well. This town's renaissance has been attributed to the presence of the Arts Council, artist residents and a strong creative population that has become an economic and community engine. Yet, our work is not done as we have an inventory of gorgeous rentable and saleable spaces.
Catskill’s 19th century Main Street charm far outweighs the recession’s commercial gloom in a town that values its ongoing relationship with artists. For over 30 years the Arts Council has served as a community anchor. Many buildings are owned by artists interested in adding to the creative population, inspiring interest in more galleries, restaurants and local shopping. Masters on Main Street’s proactive agenda features a cross section of the community welcoming new faces and interest in our town’s striking rentable and saleable spaces.

Writers, critics, curators and collectors are invited to view cutting edge work by artists from top art schools around the country. Coordinated by the Greene County Council on the Arts, Main Street building owners have been generous in donating spaces for several exhibitions and window displays:

The School of Visual Arts MFA Photography and Related Media program is exhibiting a group show titled, The Weekenders with 13 artists and a new set of featured artists in April at Brik Gallery, 473 Main Street.

The School of Visual Arts’ BFA Photography graduates dot the street in window displays of contemporary landscapes by Nathanial Shannon [371 Main St.], Adam Wolpinski [448 Main St.], Olivia Stonner [384 Main St.], Jeannette Rodrigues Pineda [439 Main St.], Joseph Tripi [379 Main St.].

Vassar College’s group show of over 20 artists on display at 396 Main Street.

Bard College’s Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts project opens with a video installation by Jesse Cain viewed after dark through the windows at 456 Main Street, sponsored by the Film and Electronic Arts program at Bard College.

SUNY New Paltz MFA alumni, Jelena Gazinova’s ceramic sculptures can be seen at 455 Main Street. Faye Eng's ceramic sculptures are installed at 372 Main Street. Leslie Bender’s, silk screened scrolls appear in the windows at 340 Main Street.

College of St. Rose, MA in Studio Arts alumna Kristine Monahan’s woodblock prints and drypoint etchings can be seen at 387 Main Street.

School of the Art Institute MFA/Vassar BFA alumna, Noe Kidder is showcasing a silent film in the storefront of 360 Main Street and curating a two day video art festival April 30 and May 1 at the Catskill Community Center, 344 Main Street.

Interest in Round 2 has been received from Bennington College, Columbia University, New York University, New York Studio School, Rhode Island School of Design, Rutgers University, University of Massachusetts, and SUNY New Paltz. Round 2 exhibits will be on view June through September. Round 3 opens October through December. Programs under discussion include an “Artists in Dialogue” series, panel discussions, lectures, artist/curator/cell phone led tours.