In the Dutchess County Spotlight

Fan of the paintings of the Hudson River School?  Then make tracks to RiverWinds Gallery in Beacon, where they present "The Season of Gold," oil paintings by Kevin Cook. An accomplished landscape painter, his style, although strongly influenced by Hudson River School artists of the nineteenth century, bears his own fresh contemporary sensibility. The opening reception for the show is Saturday, October 13, 5-8pm, nicely times to coincide with Beacon Second Saturday.  This show is on view through Sunday, November 4.

Kevin has been named a Painting Fellow by New York Foundation for the Arts, and has served on NYFA's Artist's Advisory Committee. Kevin is a Guest Educator at the Samuel Dorsky Museum, located at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Kevin Cook is from a rural community surrounded by farms and gentle woodlands in lovely upstate New York. His love for painting began with a favorite childhood art teacher, and began to take shape along with his growing appreciation for the natural world around him. He attended the State University of New York at New Paltz, gaining a B.S. in Art Education.

It was there that he discovered the work of the Hudson River School, as well as that of English Romanticist John Constable, and felt an immediate identification with their work and ideals.  This was unusual at a time when abstract expressionism filled galleries. fter a brief teaching stint, Kevin returned to his first love of painting. While employed at the Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian resort located in New Paltz, Kevin's vision of nature and romanticism matured to its present state. Mohonk's storied past and the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains' rugged terrain deeply inspired Kevin and he gradually developed his style of painting as a means of communicating his spiritual connection to this landscape.

RiverWinds Gallery is celebrating its ninth year of showcasing and supporting Hudson Valley Artists, and providing a venue of outstanding fine art and unique gifts.  It is a multifaceted art space featuring work by 35 of the finest regional artists.  The Gallery offers traditional fine art paintings and photography plus contemporary crafts including ceramics, pottery, stationery, jewelry, scarves and hand-dyed yarn. RiverWinds Gallery, LLC, is a member of the Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA) www.beaconarts.org  and Art Along the Hudson www.artalongthehudson.com

RiverWinds Gallery, also a Tourism Information Center, is located at 172 Main Street, Beacon, 12508. Call 845-838-2880 or visit www.riverwindsgallery.com 

Open Wednesday to Monday from 12 noon to 6pm; on Beacon Second Saturday, they are open from 12 noon til 9pm. Take Route I-84 to exit 11, take Route 9D South, turn left at Main Street. RiverWinds Gallery is on the left, a block and half east on Main Street.