Visiting Hip Piermont Village Along The Hudson River In Rockland County, New York

Art Galleries, Cafes, Boutiques On The Riverfront In Piermont

If you love art galleries, boutiques, upscale restaurants and outdoor cafes then The Village of Piermont, New York on the west bank of the Hudson River is for you. According to an article in The New York Times, this former working-class river community was revitalized after director Woody Allen filmed the movie "The Purple Rose of Cairo".

18th And 19th Century Homes In Piermont

In Piermont, you will find charming 18th and 19th century homes steeped high on wooded hills overlooking the Hudson. Eleven miles from the George Washingtion Bridge, many city dwellers have left Manhattan and traded in small studio or one bedroom apartments for older homes or modern condos such as Piermont Landing which sits on the riverfront.

I stumbled across this charming riverfront village, part of Orangetown in Rockland County last weekend while on my way home from a wedding which was held in the nearby Dolce Conference Center.

Artist Rena Berger At The Piermont Flywheel Gallery

Of course I am in heaven when I can stroll around an artsy town visiting galleries and unique shops. One of my first stops was The Piermont Flywheel Gallery where Rena Berger was welcoming guests to her current show.

The Piermont Flywheel Gallery is Piermont's first artist-run gallery which opened it's doors in 1992. According to the gallery's website, twenty- four artists began this co-op gallery attracting artist from the New York tri-state area. Rena' s exciting exhibit showcases her colorful, whimsical mixed media collages

Master Watercolor Artist Eli Rosenthal

My next stop was to see the opening of Eli Rosenthal's Watercolors at The Piermont Fine Art Gallery which is next door to the Flywheel gallery. Eli, a master Watercolor artist works in a style which is bold, loose and delightfully colorful.

Piermont Attracts Celebrities

There are lots of other galleries, funky shops and plenty of eateries in Piermont. Favored by artists, actors, musicians, filmmakers, screenwriters, Piermont attracts lots of celebrities. The New York times reports that "The actors Alan Ruck (of ''Spin City'') and William Hurt live in Piermont, and there have been frequent sightings of Bill Murray, Ellen Burstyn, Al Pacino, and the singer Bjork, all of whom live nearby but not in the village".

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Art on the Avenue: Visitng Lenore Schneider's Hull Massachusetts Seaside Gallery and Home

I dream often of owning a home on the water and spending my days painting. In fact I have even found my dream home. Right now however "my dream house" is occupied by another artist.

Meet Lenore

Her name is Lenore Schneider, a retired art teacher who bought this delightful home in 1997 and who has successfully transformed this lovely home into a living gallery with a 360 degree view of the Atlantic Ocean, Boston Harbor Islands, Boston Light and Allerton Bay.

This multi-level studio/home sits on Nantasket Avenue in Hull Massachusetts. I discovered Lenore's gallery while visiting a family member a few years ago.

Photos of Lenore Schneider's Gallery/Studio/Home

Returning to Hull, Massachusetts
A Visit "Art on the Avenue" : A Seaside Gallery

Father's Day Weekend, I returned to "Art on the Avenue" http://www.lenoreschneider.com/index.htm to visit Lenore and "kvell" * over the exciting mixed media paintings hanging on every wall of every room of her home and gallery.

Lenore's studio is on the top most floor. A winding staircase leads you to her sacred space which like all the rooms of this house are facing the water. Her husband Bill Smyth maintains his studio on the main level. While both Lenore and Bill enjoy painting local scenery, Lenore has a passion for abstract mixed media and is always experimenting with products and techniques.


Molding with Gesso Coated Canvas

Currently, Lenore is having fun with molding Gesso coated canvas sheets and adding images and color.

When you visit "Art on the Avenue" you will also be introduced to the work of other local artists as well as family members. There is so much to take in when you are touring this unique gallery........Lenore's taste for quirky and whimsical art..............the smell of homemade bean soup tended by her husband with care as Lenore gives visitors a VIP tour....and of course the breathtaking views of the ocean and harbor .............

The entire visit is a treat one remembers. Lenore promises me that someday I too will have my dream house studio near the beach with views of the water. For now....I will share some of these lovely photos with you, reminding myself that dreams do come true....they did for Lenore.

* kvell: to feel delighted and proud to the point of tears (Yiddish קװעלן kveln, from an old Germanic word akin to German quellen 'well up') http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvell

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.