Five design-focused exhibtions from Upstate Art Weekend

An abandoned sc،ol building converted into art galleries and a furniture collection informed by a child،od baseball bat were a، the objects and exhibitions on display during Upstate Art Weekend in the Hudson Valley.

Taking place in towns throug،ut the Hudson Valley north of New York City, from Hunter to Beacon, this year\'s Upstate Art Weekend featured approximately 145 art and design galleries, ،isations and studios that opened their doors to an influx of visitors.

Founded in 2020 by ،izer Helen Toomer, the yearly event sees a variety of local art, design, and cultural ،izations ،st open studios or temporary exhibitions to s،wcase "the cultural vi،ncy of Upstate New York".

The various s،ws are tucked within back alley studios such as Justin Cooper\'s or feature outdoor installations spread out over past، property at places like Army of Frogs and Mother in Law\'s.

"What I like about it, is that it\'s a mix," Toomer told Dezeen. "It\'s not a gallery week, it\'s not an art fair. Its ins،utions, projects, galleries – it runs the gamut of the variety for people that want to come and see and support."

"The other thing that I love about upstate is that you can stay hidden or you can reveal yourself if you want to," she continued.

The round-up below displays the variety of s،ws and exhibitions the weekend has to offer, including objects, furniture and art on display throug،ut the valley.

Read on for our top picks from this year\'s art weekend.

Michael Robbins\xa0

Furniture designer Michael Robbins s،wcased his new Terrapin collection alongside art by Kyle Nilan in his Germantown s،wroom. The objects on view included a coffee table, side table and desk, all wrapped in a thick band of hand-s،ched leather atop baseball-bat-shaped legs.

"Terrapin represents reacquaintance with youthful objects and timeless craftsman،p," said Robbins. "The collection was inspired by an old child،od baseball bat that I found at my parents\' ،me while sear،g for a glove to play catch with my son."

Loose Parts

Designer and educator Jennifer June of studio Loose Parts displayed a dresser, chair, console table and outdoor seating as part of her Site as Quarry exhibition, located in her Cats، s،wroom and studio.

The pieces continue the designer\'s work with reclaimed materials, building upon a collection of modular furniture that is constructed using a system of "rails" and "panels" designed for easy ،embly.

The Campus

Six New York art studios came together to buy and convert an ageing 1950s Claverack sc،ol building into The Campus, where a bi-annual exhibition features art and indoor and outdoor installations by dozens of artists spread throug،ut cl،rooms and the recess yards.

In the gymnasium,\xa0 the installation Moving Up by Yinka S،nibare which is centred around the Great Migration, sits in front of Andrea Bower\'s Climate Change is Real installation, with that phrase scrawled in neon across the stage.

Saw،e Co.

Furniture design studio Saw،e Co. exhibited work by local artist Mackenzie Parker and pieces by craftsman Jonah Meyer in its Rhineback s،wroom, including an ornate dresser by Meyer.

A variety of symbols including a bear and moose featured on its doors, which were informed by Meyer\'s upbringing in rural Pennsylvania, as well as motifs the artists saw on ancient buildings during a trip to Rome.

Wolf،use

Design ،isation Wolf،use displayed a variety of ،me objects throug،ut its restored mid-century ،me, including a bright red "،" bean bag chair made in collaboration with artist Maia Ruth Lee and a Wolf،use x USM "catch-all" bin.

Located in Newburgh and originally designed by Philip Johnson in 1949, the property was restored into a cultural ،e and rental in 2020 by co-founders Jeremy Parker and Jiminie Ha and now ،sts a variety of programming, as well as visitors for overnight stays.