On The Saugerties Arts Scene - Emerge Gallery

Posted by on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 at 5:04pm.

Emerge Gallery in Saugerties NY

The Hudson Valley is a hotbed of creativity. Artists have been driven north by skyrocketing rents in NYC. Many creatives land in Saugerties due to its affordable real estate, community art scene, and proximity to other popular towns such as Kingston, Woodstock, Hudson, and Catskill.

I sat down to talk to Robert Langdon of Emerge Gallery to discuss the Saugerties renaissance.

Tell me a little bit about your Gallery.

Emerge Gallery is a warm and welcoming environment that focuses on exhibiting and selling art by emerging artists in the Hudson Valley, NY Metro area and beyond. Artwork is affordably priced and changes monthly and includes works in acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media, collage, pottery, sculpture and other mediums. The gallery is available to rent for solo and privately curated exhibits and private events. Artwork is exhibited at our physical location and on-line through the Emerge Gallery website store at www.emergegalleryny.com.

Saugerties NY Arts

Are you from the Hudson Valley? If not, what made you decide to live & work here?

I'm originally from Northern NJ. Born and raised, although I lived in San Francisco for 13 years. Since moving back to the East coast I have been looking for a more relaxed way of life. NJ has been getting really crowded in the past few years. I have friends that have been moving up to the Hudson Valley over the years and I have been spending time exploring the area.

Why did you choose Saugerties NY in particular for your gallery?

I felt a real connection to Saugerties. I live right in the village and I am really enjoying saying hello to people by name on my way to the gallery. It has a very community feel. Saugerties is very centrally located as well, so people are using it as a meeting point for the area. We get many visitors from NYC and the surrounding areas for extended weekends and day trips. Saugerties has so much to offer these visitors. Aside Opus 40, Catskill Animal Sanctuary and the wonderful lighthouse, we have some really unique retail shops in the village.

Hudson Valley Arts

All Artwork copyrighted by artist - Clockwise for upper left Ann Morris, Lynette Henderson, Andrew Kaminski, Nancy Campbell.

Can you tell us about the art & cultural scene in Saugerties?

Saugerties has been changing in the past few years and is quickly turning into an arts destination. I believe that is because many artists from New York City and Brooklyn have been moving up to the area and settling down in Saugerties. There is some really wonderful talent in Saugerties and the surrounding areas and I'm really pleased to be exhibiting work by these artists. The art scene has been quickly growing in Saugerties and there are a number of dedicated businesses that are helping to make that happen. We have been celebrating International Sculpture Day throughout the month of April and also the arts throughout the month of October with the guidance of Shout Out Saugerties.

Emerge Artists

All Artwork copyrighted by artists - Clockwise for upper left Linda Lynton, Phyllis Rosser, Fay Wood, Carol Herren Foerster.

What kinds of artists/work would you like to see more of?

There is a nice variety of artists in the Saugerties area and we keep seeing more and more relocating to the area. The more the merrier!

What are some of your favorite things about the area that only a local would know?

Opus 40 is one of my favorite places in the area. I like going there to relax, enjoy nature and to just get away. Every time I look at the monuments and structures I'm amazed at the work that Harvey Fite was able to do in his lifetime. He has left a real legacy for the Hudson Valley.