Newsbits

Art Omi Sculpture Park creates new Art and Architecture Program

In the rural hamlet of Omi in the village of Ghent, big things are happening. About two hours north of Manhattan and thirty minutes south of Albany, The Fields Sculpture Park is suddenly hopping with the promise of new ventures and expanding programs which hope to make it a national and international destination for art trekkers and a regional treasure for Columbia County and the surrounding communities. The Omi International Arts Center, headquartered in Manhattan, owns and operates The Fields.

This month Chairman and principle founder, Francis Greenburger, announced the creation of a new program called Architecture Omi to be headed by sculptor Peter Barton, who will assume the role of Director and First Chair. This program will probe the line between architecture and sculpture. Although the line may not ultimately matter, Anthony Caro recently commented that “the difference between architecture and art is plumbing.” Wherever the line may be, clearly these two forms are becoming more and more allied. Both architects and/or sculptors will be invited to construct pavilions on Art Omi’s grounds that explore this relationship. Additionally, for several years, The Fields has been acquiring more land in order to accommodate Art Omi’s interest in collaborating with well-known artists or collectors to build small scale museums; small state-of-the-art exhibition spaces where collectors and/or artists can exhibit unique collections of art otherwise not available for viewing by the public.

With more than 460 acres of prime countryside now in hand, the plan is to offer a program of shared resources, inviting individual collectors, well-known artists and larger arts organizations the hospitality of The Fields Sculpture Park for the creation of unique and architecturally savvy Green structures which, in some cases, can be considered works of art in themselves.

“The Architecture Omi concept,” Barton says, “has several applied and implied opportunities inherent for artists, architects and collectors to work together in new ways, towards a 21st century notion of what art and the architecture that houses it can mean. We are not setting about to simply build buildings to exhibit art, we are interested in the expanded relationship of form, space and the public.

“We are also interested in the grouping of collected art works that stand together and the sort of display strategies required to enhance often very disparate kinds of creative activity; from painting and sculpture to media and ephemeral installation projects. When the definition of art changes so often, how do you plan for spaces to exhibit contemporary modes of expression?”

In addition to addressing the formal issues of contemporary structures, the Architecture Omi program has committed to preserving the open land utilizing subtle interventions and ecologically harmonious structures. The plans include sound policies for managing the trails and grounds according the highest principles. The program’s stated mission is to put architecture at the service of both Nature and Art and, “If we remain true to the mission,” Barton says, “we will also set new models and standpoints for land intervention and sustainable structures.”

The Fields Sculpture Park is located on County Route 22 in Ghent, NY. For more information go to www.artomi.org or www.architectureforart.com.

Catskill Watershed Corporation Board Approves Loans

A former Hensonville church will be transformed into a fitness center, and a Main Street, Margaretville building will be renovated with funds provided by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC). A Walton supermarket will install energy saving lighting and a new entrance using a loan from a state energy agency in partnership with the CWC. These projects were approved by the CWC Board of Directors at its October 23 meeting.

Mary and Paul Schoepe intend to combine a CWC REDI Loan with a loan and a grant from the Greene County Economic Development office to transform the church on State Route 296 into Fitness Concepts. The facility will offer exercise classes and equipment, a fitness apparel shop, juice bar and lounge.

BP Visions, a company owned by Marylou Pratt and Florence Barra of Fishkill, will renovate 816 Main Street, Margaretville to improve its two storefronts and three upstairs apartments. The MARK Project and a local bank are also contributing to this project.

The Walton Big M, which obtained a special CWC flood recovery loan in 2006 to help it rebound from a devastating flood that year, now plans to replace all 260 lighting fixtures in the store, and to construct a new vestibule to prevent heat loss. The energy savings realized from these improvements will help reduce utility costs and improve cash flow.

For more information on the non-profit Catskill Watershed Corporation and its environmental protection, economic development and education programs, go to www.cwconline.org, or call 845 586 1400.