DUTCHESS AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES — A billboard with art by James Wise of the Bard College class of ’26 was on view at 3391 US-9 in Hudson from Dec. 20, 2023, to Jan. 17, 2023.
Titled, “How Long Will We Be Driving?”, the billboard came about through a partnership with Bard Community Arts Collaborative, the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard, and Shandaken Project’s Public Arts Initiative.
Wise’s piece was chosen from projects done by students in an extended media studio course at Bard College taught by Julia Weist.
Her students made 2D projects that were reviewed by Shandaken, and 3D projects that were reviewed by the Village of Red Hook’s chair for the Public Spaces Initiative Committee.
The 3D works were installed at Richard Abraham’s Memorial Park in Red Hook. The pieces ranged from interactive sculptures to large-format photographic prints to sculptures of wood and metal. This exhibit was not open to the public; it was a pilot program with the idea of future collaborations in mind.
Student Elena Schneider ’27 said, “Being able to make something to be displayed in the landscape where we live pushed me to create something I really care about and am proud of.”
Of the class, Weist said, “If you can create art that affects a viewer, moves a viewer in the parking lot of a grocery store, which is where our billboard project is located, you’ve succeeded profoundly as an artist.”
Wise’s piece was selected for the billboard outside of Hudson by Shandaken as part of its Public Art Initiative 14x48, which has exhibited “new work by contemporary artists across New York State since 2021.”
The title refers to the increasing reliance of society on artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential loss of human independence with such things as self-driving cars, Wise has explained; it questions the very use of cars in the face of global warming. The figure at the center of the work, an avatar created with AI, reminds viewers that AI is a field dominated by white males.
Explaining his approach to the work, Wise said: “My main concern was in conveying my concept as clearly as possible. I wanted the billboard to blend in, so I researched local insurance billboards for a base.” He added: “After layering and collaging the AI images I’d generated from various local insurance-themed prompts, I ended up landing on the final product. I was always cautious to keep my work as close to the source material as possible, while still subtly distinct under closer inspection.” Wise created the billboard by layering more than 50 AI generated images.
Photo courtesy Bard College
A Bard College student installs her sculpture at Richard Abraham’s Memorial Park in Red Hook. The installation was part of a pilot program with the village of Red Hook’s Public Spaces Initiative.
The Grinch Mobile was part of the procession of the Festival of Lights in Millerton on Friday, Nov. 29.
Holiday tunes filled the air as the parade moved down Main Street. Fire trucks from Kent, Connecticut, Pine Plains, Milan, North East and more led the way and lit up the night. Spectators from near and far lined up on both sides of the street. They waved enthusiastically at the procession, sang along with the music and snapped photos on their cell phones to capture the merriment. Small bags of candy were tossed to the crowd from participatory vehicles from Watson Livery Services and the Faith Baptist Church, amongst others.
The Festival of Lights, however, is only one component of the holiday weekend kickoff in town. While it may be the main event, through the efforts of the Millerton Business Alliance, an array of activities was laid out over the weekend. On Friday, Nov. 29, the fun included a free screening of “Prancer” at The Moviehouse, followed by hot chocolate and snacks at Veterans Park courtesy of NBT Bank. Additionally, there was cookie decorating at the North East Community Center, free hayrides, and a performance by the Salisbury Brass Band.
The Salisbury Brass Band warmed up a chilly audience with some holiday favorites on Friday, Nov. 29.Photo by Krista A. Briggs
Saturday at the NorthEast-Millerton Library featured a book giveaway and crafts at their annual “Thankful for Reading” event, marking the transition from Thanksgiving to the December holidays. Other weekend events included the Woodworking Expo at the Irondale Schoolhouse, samplings of seasonal treats at certain locales, and holiday sales from participating proprietors.
Mother and daughter Liz and Nika Dellureficio enjoy some festive tunes.Photo by Krista A. Briggs
Echoing a sentiment felt by many that day, “Now it really feels like the holidays,” said Liz Dellureficio of Ancramdale, who was enjoying the brass band performance with her daughter Nika. Salisbury Brass Band provided the music, offering performances of traditional seasonal fare such as “Silent Night” and “O, Come All Ye Faithful.” Bandleader Perry Gardner, subbing for usual band director, Brian Viets, was quick to praise the talented musicians in his corps, adding that the band is always on the lookout for additional musicianship to swell their ranks. “Recruitment is an issue,” Gardner explained, saying the Salisbury Brass Band welcomes all interested parties, not just at the holidays, but year-round.
While the band played on, others, such as the Tong and Christiansen families, took a break from the music to opt for a ten-minute hayride around town, braving the day’s chilly temperatures while being greeted by friendly onlookers around the neighborhood. As the concert and various activities took place, shopkeepers could be seen about town stringing up colored lights, hanging garland, wreaths, and decorations.
For warmth and sustenance, NBT Bank provided free cocoa and cookies in the afternoon. Kevin Cantele and Jamie Long of NBT noted a downturn in attendance this year from last year’s event as well as the absence of the ice-carving exhibition, but explained business had been particularly brisk when theater-goers exited The Moviehouse in the early afternoon. “The kids get to watch a movie, and when it’s over, they come over here for hot chocolate and snacks,” Cantele said.
The Millerton holiday tree stands tall. Photo by Olivia Valentine
As darkness set in, snow began to fall, making the start of the season postcard-perfect. While the snowfall eased shortly thereafter, attendees at the Festival of Lights couldn’t have asked for the stage to be set any better than it was on that chilly evening in Millerton.
