Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Hues, Hews, Yews & You

HUNTER, NY—Elena Agostinis is known in and around Tannersville for her work in the Paint Project, which started in 2001 and which still continues. With the cooperation of town officials and the Hunter Foundation, more than 30 buildings have been repaired and painted to date, creating an environment in which local businesses thrive.
Not everyone knows of her successful career in Graphic Design and her lifelong love of painting and sculpture. Drawn to the familiar and the un-precious in her artwork, Elena uses color and texture to transform the ordinary, just as the village of Tannersville has been transformed.
Most of her sculptures and paintings are made from paper mache and/or wood and are painted with ordinary house paint. When painting on canvas or wood panels, she applies house paint using her fingers and hands, preferring not to use brushes. In her jewelry designs she uses items from the hardware store, combined with beads, semi-precious stones and non-precious objects.

Elena’s work has been cited in three books on interior and exterior design and an independent film company is currently making a short film about creative energy, focusing on her work and the Tannersville Paint Project. She was recently invited by NYU Stern Business School to address a group of students on the topic of Social Entrepreneurship, covering the Paint Project and its effects. She is also in the process of writing and illustrating a children’s book on the same topic.

Elena Agostinis’ art will be on exhibit at the Catskill Mountain Foundation Craft & Art Gallery at Hunter Village Square, Rte. 23A, Main Street, Hunter Village, NY from June 30 to August 12. Visit www.catskillmtn.org for more information.

EST/Lexington Center Founder Dies at Age 71

Those of you who live in the Catskill High Peaks may be shocked to learn of the untimely death of Ensemble Studio Theatre Founder Curt Dempster on January 19th. Curt was found dead in his New York City apartment after he hadn't shown up for several meetings that had been scheduled earlier in the day. Cause of death hasn't been determined yet although family members said that they thought Curt may have died of a heart attack. For those who didn't know Curt, he helped produce and develop over 6,000 new American plays including those by Arthur Miller, David Mmet, Tennessee Williams, Wendy Wasserstein and Christopher Durang. Curt was also the founder of the Lexington Center for the Arts here in the High Peaks. According to the EST website, development of the Center will continue despite the untimely death of the group's founder. We'll miss you, Curt.