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Lark in the Park 2005:
A Catskill Mountain Celebration

From October 1 - 10, the Catskill Mountains will be alive with the vibrant colors of fall—and much more. To celebrate the season we have put together a 10-day schedule of events that will make your visit to the Catskill Mountains a unique and memorable adventure. Take a hike to the top of one of our high peaks with a local expert, cruise the rapids of a Catskill stream on a guided canoe trip, pedal your way through lush foliage on a bike trail or along scenic country roads, visit Catskill artisans in their studios and watch as they blow glass, weave baskets, turn local alpaca yarn into wearable art or craft delicate jewelry. Stroll through an extravagant Octoberfest, shop to your heart's delight at a Catskill craft show and enjoy the bounty of the season at farmer's markets, farm stands and local restaurants.

The Lark in the Park will be held this year in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Catskill Mountain Crafts Collective, the Catskill Mountain Foundation and The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. This year's Lark will incorporate the Catskill Colors and Crafts Festival, which showcases the work of the many artists and artisans living within the Catskill Mountain Region. Historically, the Catskills have been a source of inspiration for artists of every medium for centuries, and so it seems very fitting that the work of this community that so enriches life within the Park be highlighted.

Join us this fall to celebrate the scenic, historic and cultural riches that abound within the Catskill Mountain Region. For more information on the event phone 1-877-426-0323 or visit our web site at www.catskillpark100.org. To request a free guide to the festival, email CatskillLark@aol.com.

2nd ANNUAL LARK IN THE PARK
With
The Colors and Crafts Festival
October 1-10, 2005
A 10-Day Celebration of a Century of Adventure and the Arts
In
The Catskill Park
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

LARK IN THE PARK
10 DAYS OF OUTDOOR AND INDOOR ADVENTURES

For more than 100 years, the Catskill Park has drawn people to its world-renowned landscapes and the treasures and pleasures that lie within. A unique state park covering an expanse of 705,500 acres in Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, it abounds in natural wonders: "forever wild" woodlands, rushing streams and waterfalls, and spangled ponds and lakes.

The Park landscape is richly enhanced by a vibrant community of artists and craftspeople whose creative spirits find inspiration in the Catskills. Historic sites, museums, family attractions and festivals offer images and memories of Catskill life past and present.

Discover the pleasures and treasures of the Catskill Park. Go on The Lark...a 10-day adventure.

HIKE AND WALK IN THE 300,000-ACRE CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE
Hikes for everyone from stroller to bushwhacker: in the heart of the Catskill Park.

Join guides from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, the Catskill Mountain Club and other trail and environmental organizations on a hike to the Catskill high peaks and panoramic vistas…to the Catskills' five historic fire towers...or through quiet hollows and scenic waterfalls.

A sampling of Lark hikes and walks....

Huggins Lake  Leisurely 3.4-mile woods road hike led by the Catskill Mountain Club through an often unexplored area of the Catskill Park to a small lake. Sun. 10/2, 9:30 am. Reservations: lau090@dmcom.net

Devil's Hole  A 3-mile moderate hike at Frost Valley following Biscuit Creek through large stands of hemlocks and passing by pools of crystalline water. One-hour tour of Frost Valley YMCA property after hike. Sun. 10/2, 1 pm. (845) 985-2291x269

Onteora Lake Loop Hike  Moderate 2-mile hike led by the Catskill Mountain Club in the Bluestone Wild Forest where quarry remains can be viewed. Tues. 10/4, 5 pm. Pre-register: outings@catskillmountainclub.org

Meditation Hike  Gentle 2-mile hike on a path that ascends Mt. Guardian to views of the Hudson Valley. Bring vegetarian lunch for a mostly silent meal at the top. Led by Roberta Wall of the Catskill Mountain Club. Sun. 10/2 2, 10 am. Robertaindia@yahoo.com

A Walk With the Dead  Walking tour of the historic Andes Cemetery with "Coffin Man" headstones, led by the Andes Society for History and Culture. 845-676-3773; ASHC@Catskill.net

Overlook Trail  Beginner-intermediate 4-mile hike from a waterfall to the Cod Fish Point vista, an old quarry site with a spectacular view. Led by Barb Stone of the Catskill Mountain Club. Sat. 10/1, 9 am. Pre-register: barb@outdoorskills.net

Hike the Big One!  A 5-mile hike up and down the Catskills' highest peak - 4,180-foot Slide Mountain. Led by Susanna Margolis of the Catskill Mountain Club. Sat. 10/ 1, 9 am. Pre-register: susanna@rcn.com

Vernooy Kill Falls  A 2.6-mile woods road hike to a picture postcard setting in a secluded corner of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Bring lunch to eat by the falls. Led by Laura Battelani of the Catskill Mountain Club. Tues. 10/4, 12:30 pm. Pre-register: bodyworx@catskill.net

Byrdcliffe Art Colony Walk  Executive director-led walking tour of the historic and still-active 1903 Byrdcliffe Art Colony, a National Register Historic Site. Sat. 10/8, 11 am. Ceramic crafts sale in Byrdcliffe Barn Sat-Mon. 10-6 pm. 845-679-2079

Belleayre Mountain Loop  A 5.5-mile hike from Pine Hill village to the summit of Belleayre Mt. via a steep uphill climb on the Cathedral Glen Trail. Bring lunch to eat at the top; descend via the Pine Hill-West Branch trail. Led by Susanna Margolis of the Catskill Heritage Alliance. Sat. 10/8 9:30 am. Pre-register by 10/5: 212-877-0671; susanna@catskillheritage.org

Dry Brook Ridge Trail  An 8-mile hike with the convivial Andes Hikers to a scenic viewpoint. Bring lunch to eat at the overlook. Thurs. 10/6, 10:30 am. Pre-register: jackandnancy@catskill.net

Big Pond to Little Pond  A 6-mile exploration of the rolling hills and ponds of the Western Catskills with a guide from the Catskill Mountain Club. Sat. 10/1, 9 am. Pre-register by Fri. 9/30: chriso@catskill.net

VanWyck-Table-Peekamoose Mountains  A 10-hour fast-paced bushwhack and trail hike with Harry Rampe from the Catskill 3500 Club to three summits. Map-reading and compass skills required. Sun. 10/2, 9 am. Pre-register: 845-292-6736

Winter Clove Falls Trail  A 3.5-mile moderate hike with authors Barbara Delaney and Russell Dunn from the 150-year-old historic Winter Clove Inn to a 70-foot high waterfall. Bring lunch. Sat. 10/8, 10 am. Pre-register: 518-482-2410

Vernooy Kill State Forest  A 4-mile moderate hike of the former Lundy Estate following the Vernooy Kill upstream through a forest river valley and meadows; bring lunch. Led by Eric Kulleseid, NYS Trust for Public Land Program Director. Monday, 10/2, 10:30 am. 212-677-7171

Kaaterskill Clove  A 5-mile exploration of the area whose scenery inspired the 19th century Hudson River School artists; bring lunch. Led by Bob Gildersleeve, author of The Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide. Sat. 10/ 8, 9 am. Pre-register: mgilder@yahoo.com

Indian Head and Twin Mts.  Knock-out views on a 10-mile strenuous hike to the summits of two mountains on the Catskills' legendary Devils' Path and Long Path. Led by Russ Faller of the Adirondack Mountain Club, Mid-Hudson Chapter. Tuesday, 10/4, 9 am. Pre-register by 10/1: russoutdoors@yahoo.com

Tunis Pond and Headwaters of the Beaverkill  A leisurely 7.5-mile hike through pristine woodlands walking along the Beaverkill with a side trip to Tunis Pond. Led by Pete Senterman of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Bring lunch. Sat. 10/1, 10 am. Pre-registration by 9/30 preferred, but walk-ups welcome: 914-641-2888; :psenterman@pirnie.com

Catskill Mountain Historic Fire Towers Day  5 hikes to the restored fire towers. Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 am.

Plus…. and many more listed in the complete program guide.
Balsam Lake...Hunter Mountain...Overlook Mountain...Tremper Mountain...Red Hill.

CANOE AND KAYAK ON CRYSTALLINE WATERS

• Canoe Lake Wawaka  Leisurely paddle on a placid Catskill Mountain lake with Jessica Sweeney of the Catskill Mountain Club. Rentals available. Sat. 10/3, 1 pm. Pre-register: jsweeney@catskillcenter.org; 845-586-2611
• Canoe and Fish at Big Pond  Paddle on a scenic lake with fishing guides from The Catskill Center and throw out a line, if you wish. Rentals available; call before Wed. 9/28 to arrange: 845-586-2611

PEDAL AT YOUR OWN PACE

Pedal leisurely along country roads, mountain bike through "forever wild" forest land, or take the 100-mile challenge on a loop through the Catskill Park.

• Pepacton Reservoir Ride  A leisurely 20-mile ride along the shoreline of the stunningly beautiful reservoir led by Beth Waterman of "Celebrating Catskill Mountain Women"
• Elm Ridge to the Escarpment  Mountain bike 8 miles with Nick Bove of the Catskill Park Trail Alliance through "forever wild" woodlands and on the Catskills' legendary Escarpment Trail high over the Hudson Valley. Rentals available, $17.50. Sun, 10/2, 10 am. Pre-register: wmocbs@mhonline.net; 518-734-4700
• Tour de Catskill Park  100 mi. A "huffer and puffer" strenuous loop through the heart of the Catskill Park with some sweat-breaking ascents. Led by NYS DEC Region 3 Natural Resources Supervisor Bill Rudge. Experienced long distance bikers only. Sat. 10/1, 7:30 am. Pre-register by 9/25: 845-254-4126; osprey@catskill.net

FLYFISH
Try the sport on the famed Catskill waters where fly fishing was born in America.

• Learn to Fly Fish  A 2-hour free lesson with Catskill Center staff in the basic techniques of this intriguing sport at Pine Hill Lake. Fri. 10/7, 5 pm. Pre-register by Thurs. 10/6: 845-586-2611

TASTE CATSKILL LIFE AND CULTURE...PAST AND PRESENT

• Harvest Festival  Corn maze, hay maze, pony rides, farmers' market, arts and crafts, live music by the Rausch Brothers. Sun. 10/2 and 10/9, 11-3:30 pm. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY. 845-295-2440
• 20th Annual Giant Pumpkin Party and Children's Parade  Pumpkin decorating, scarecrow contest, haunted house, hay rides, food and more. Sponsored by the Daniel Pierce Library at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds, Grahamsville, NY. Sat. 10/1, 9-5 pm. 845-985-7233
• Fall Festival and Craft Show  "Pumpkin People," the "Visiting Vampire," hay maze, grilled menu, live music, crafts and more. Sponsored by the Town of Middlefield Historical Association. Old Middlefield Schoolhouse, Cooperstown, NY. Sun. 10/10, 11-4 pm. 607-547-9515
• Fiddlers 12!  Full day of fiddling with evening jam and square dance. Sun, 10/9, noon-10 pm. Hilt Kelly Hall, Roxbury, NY. Reservations only: 607-326-7908

CATSKILL COLORS AND CRAFTS:
A Celebration of the Arts, Crafts and Culture of the Catskill Mountains
Sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Foundation

THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS....

• All Arts Matter  Exhibit featuring woodcarvings, jewelry, mosaics, pottery, stained glass, furniture, photography, quilts, textiles, metal sculptures and fine art by regional artists. Greenville Cultural Arts Center, Greenville, NY. Sat.-Sun. 10/1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 10-4 pm. 518-966-4038
• Catskill Art Society Pottery Expo  Group exhibition of the work of regional potters in the Beck Gallery, Hurleyville, NY. Oct. 1-30. 845-436-4227
• "Day to See Clay"  Annual pottery festival with demonstrations, food and live music by the Potters of Sullivan County. Presbyterian Church, Jeffersonville, NY. Sat. 10/8, 11-6 pm. 607-498-5207
• Rustic For The Home  A variety of wares for home décor by regional artists and crafters. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY. Sun. 10/2 and 10/9, 11-3:30 pm. 845-295-2440
• Unearthed: A Celebration of Sculptural and Functional Ceramic Arts  Group exhibition of artists working in clay in the Catskill Mountain Foundation Gallery, Hunter, NY. 10/1-11/13, Fri., Sun., Mon. 10-5; Sat. 10-6. 518-263-4908x211
• The Colors of Fall  Juried group exhibition on the theme of fall's colors in Woodstock Artists Association Main Gallery. 10/8-30. Opening reception Sat. 10/8, 4-6. 845-679-2940
• "A Painter's Path Through the Catskill Mountains"  Illustrated lecture by artist Robert Selkowitz at the Erph Gallery, Arkville, NY., Sat/ 10/ 1, 4 pm. 845-586-2611
• "Beautiful Landscape Paintings"  Works by Robert Selkowitz. October 8-30. Opening 10/8, 4-6. Artist Gallery Talk, Sun. 10/9, 2 pm. Woodstock Artists Association Downstairs Gallery 845-679-2940
• Catskill's Crafts, Catskill's Color  Works by local artists and artisans, Greene County Council on the Arts Gallery, Catskill, NY., Oct. 1-Nov. 6, Thurs.-Tues. 10-4. 518-943-3400
• Sweetwater Glass  Studio tour and glass-blowing demonstration at Sweetwater Glass, Delancey, NY., Sat. 10/ 8, 10-4. 845-676-4622

SPECIAL EVENT... THE CATKILL PARK PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT
Win prizes for your photos of the Catskill Park!
For contest rules and sign-ups: info@catskillmountainclub.org before Friday, September 23

10 Days….100 Ways to Have a Lark in the Catskill Park!
For a full 10-day listing of all Lark events:
877-426-0323
CatskillLark@aol.com

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For a look at our latest newsletter - Craft Talk- you can download a PDF of the document right here. (710KB)
Download the 2004 October Colors & Crafts Festival brochure here. (PDF, 632KB)

Press Release: September 3, 2004

Catskill Mountain Centennial Colors and Crafts
Celebration to Be Held in October
Free maps and guides available

This fall, the Catskill Mountains beckon as a special destination where the changing colors of the leaves on our mountain tops and across our valleys create spectacular vistas at every turn of the road and around every curve there is something new to discover and explore.

Back road journeys allow visitors to discover the hidden gems in our mountains and come across one-of-a-kind villages, charming B&Bs, quaint shops and local eateries that feature local foods crafted out of the freshest of ingredients.

During October, local artists and craftspeople will be opening their studio doors to the public as part of a unique celebration, the Catskill Mountain Centennial Colors and Crafts month, which is being organized by the Catskill Mountain Crafts Collective and sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Foundation. From the Hudson River to the Pennsylvania border, visitors will receive a warm welcome from potters, glass blowers, quilters, wood carvers, furniture makers, weavers and a variety of other artisans who will be giving studio tours, providing hands-on demonstrations and offering a selection of handcrafted items for sale.

A Catskill Colors and Crafts map has been created by the Catskill Mountain Foundation that highlights the open studios, local galleries, crafts shops, museums and artisans cooperatives hosting craft related events during the month of October. The map includes listings of more than 30 local craftspeople who will be welcoming visitors into their workshops and almost 50 craft-related exhibits and special events.

In addition to the open studio events, driving tours have been created for Catskill Centennial Colors and Crafts that will highlight local galleries, special events and performances, fall festivals, craft sales and fairs, exhibits of traditional and contemporary crafts, quaint Main Streets and small hamlets, as well as remarkable vistas and specific sites to view the mountain panorama of spectacular color. Six different driving tours lead visitors throughout Otsego, Delaware, Ulster, Schoharie, Greene and Sullivan counties.

The Catskill Mountains have long been a haven for artists and craftspeople. For the last 100 years, the arts have flourished throughout the mountains in small hamlets where artists have found peace, tranquility, beauty and inspiration. Old barns have been converted into studios and workshops where artisans can pursue their craft and the entire region has a thriving handcraft industry.

To request a free studio tour map or driving tour book, phone 888-856-CATS (2287) or email catskillcrafts@catskillmtn.org.

Catskill Mountain Centennial Colors and Crafts Festival

Open Studio Participants:
Loving Earth Studio, 410 Glen Acres Road, Arkville 845-586-2240
Winternight Gallery, 3024 Route 28, Shokan 845-657-6982
Hillside Studio, 111 Hillside Road, Barryville 845-557-3640
Stephen Fabrico Pottery, 76 Church Street, Bloomington 845-331-4760
Fortescue Ceramics, 210 Hospital Road, Callicoon 845-887-5740
Earthgirl Pottery, 92 Bayer Road, Callicoon Center 845-482-4978
Sweetwater Glass, 6411 Fall Clove Road, DeLancey 845-676-4622
Tabitha Gilmore Barnes Weaver, 424 Carr George Road, Denver 607-326-7662
Hilton Bloom Art Studio, 24 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville 607-783-2779
Foxglove Gallery and Studio Gift Shop, 3 Grove Street, Gilbertsville 607-783-2074
Bluestone Pottery, 159 Rio Dam Road, Glen Spey 845-856-7398
Zoya's Studio, 90 Bruceville Road, High Falls 845-687-4517
Kaete Britten Shaw Studio, Route 213, High Falls 845-687-7878
Elisa Pritzker Studio @ Casa del Arte, 257 South Riverside Road, Highland 845-691-5506
Michelangelo and Raffeallo Rubino Studio, State Route 52, Jeffersonville 845-482-3573
Laura Wilensky & Henry Cavanagh, 679 Lapla Road, Kingston 845-338-2199
Sunshine Pottery, 109 Stony Road, Lake Huntington 845-932-8873
Saturday's Child, 2139 State Highway 51, Morris 607-263-5657
Babroff Studios, 103 Winne Road, Mt. Tremper 845-688-2263
Siegfried Stoneware, 67 Church Street, Oneonta 607-432-8673
Duke Pottery, 855 County Road 93, Roscoe 607-498-5207
Sunlight Studio, 3024 Route 28, Shokan 845-657-6982
Liz Lawrence Painted Earthenware, 29 Pleasant Ridge Drive, West Hurley 845-679-4882
ASH Studio, Louis Valli Road, West Park 845-384-6396
Honey Hill Pottery & Associated Artisans, 119 Diehl Road, Callicoon 845-482-5280
Triplo Studio, 4320 Route 209, Stone Ridge 845-687-4932
Hot Stuff Blown Glass, 509 Route 214, Phoenicia 845-688-7720
Dancing Star Studio, 141 Upper Kennedy Heights, Margaretville 845-586-1632
Rita Schwab Fiberarts, 5455 Route 212, Mt. Tremper 845-688-2529
Westcote Bell Pottery, 133 Main Street, High Falls 845-687-7256

Events, Exhibits and Galleries:
10/1/04 - 10/31/04, Catskill Gallery,
Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, 607-432-2070

10/1/2004 - 10/31/04, Forged and Fired,
40 Mill Hill Road, 40 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, 845-679-6547

2-Oct, 19th Annual Giant Pumpkin Party and Children's Parade,
Grahamsville Fairgrounds, Route 55, Grahamsville, 845-985-7233

10/09/04 - 10/31/04, opening reception 10/9/2004 from 5 - 7, Art Exhibit and Opening,
Hunting Tavern Museum, Main Street, Andes, 845-676-3775

10/9/2004, Mechanics' Harvest Festival,
Hanford Mills Museum, Routes 10 & 12, East Meredith, 800-295-4992

10/9/2004, Potter's Fest,
Jeffersonville, Main Street, Jeffersonville, 607-498-5207

10/11/2004, Fiddlers 11!,
Roxbury Arts Group, Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury, 697-326-7908

10/16/2004, Fall Arts & Crafts Fair,
West Hurley Firehouse, West Hurley

10/23/2004, Annual Arts & Crafts Fair,
Hunt Union, State University College at Oneonta, Oneonta, 607-436-372

2 10/24/2004, Catskill Klezmorim,
Pleasant Valley Meeting House, Tremperskill Road, Andes, 845-676-3775

10/30/2004, Halloween Adventure Day,
Howe Caverns, 255 Discovery Drive, Howes Cave, 888-696-2283

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Woodcrafters at the ARC,
Agroforestry Resource Center, Route 23, Acra

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Gift Shop,
Greene County Council of the Arts, 398 Main Street, Catskill

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Gallery Shop,
Schoharie County Arts Council, 589 Main Street, Cobleskill, 518-234-7380

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Masterpieces of Museum Craftmanship Exhibit,
The Farmer's Museum, Lake Road, Cooperstown, 888-547-1450

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, John Jackson:Wall Hangings from Found Objects,
West Kortright Centre, Turnpike Road, East Meredith, 607-278-5454

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Iroquois Indian Museum,
Iroquois Indian Museum, Caverns Road, Howes Cave, 518-296-8949

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, The Museum Shop,
Yager Museum at Hartwick College, East Street, Oneonta, 607-431-4080

10/02/04 - 10/31/04, Out of the Woods,
Catskill Mountain Foundation Gallery, 7967 Main Street, Hunter, 518-263-4908

10/09/04 - 10/10/04, Discovery Days,
Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, 518-296-8949

10/1 - 10/3, Quilt Show,
The Major's Inn, Main Street, Gilbertsville, 607-783-2780

10/1 - 10/31, Gilbert Block Quilt Shop and Artisans Outlet,
Gilbert Block Quilt Shop, 9 Commercial Street, Gilbertsville, 607-783-2872

10/1 - 10/31, Foxglove Gallery & Studio gift Shop,
Foxglove Gallery & Studio Gift Shop, 3 Grove Street, Gilbertsville, 607-783-2879

10/1 - 10/31, Colors and Crafts at the Gallery,
Catskill Artists Gallery, 38 South Main Street, Liberty, 845-292-0310

10/1/04 - 10/17-04, Balinese Textile Exhibit,
Yager Museum at Hartwick College, West Street, Oneonta, 607-431-4080

10/14 - 11/14, 3rd Annual Craft Artists Show,
The Liberty Museum 7 Arts Center, 46 South Main Street, Liberty, Woodbourne, 845-292-2394

10/16/04 - 12/31/04, 7th Annual Craft Exhibition & Sale,
Erpf Gallery at the Catskill Center, Route 28, Arkville, 845-586-2611

10/2 - 10/30, Opening reception 10/3 from 2 - 4 pm, Stranded,
HCC-Arts @ Casa del Arte, 257 S. Riverside Road, Highland

10/2 - 10/31, Annual Craft Show,
Beck Gallery at Sullivan County Museum, 265 Main Street, Hurleyville, 845-436-4227

10/2/04 - 10/11/04, Quilt and Textile Show,
Hanford Mills Museum, Routes 10 & 12, East Meredith, 800-295-4992

10/8 - 11/17, Growing Up: Cultivating Hops and Community,
Schoharie County Arts Countil, 589 Main Street, Cobleskill, 518-234-7380

10/8/04 & 10/9/04, Open House at the Artisan's Guild,
Artisan's Guild, 148 Main Street, Oneonta, 607-432-1080

10/9 - 11/7, opening reception 10/9 2 - 4 pm, Catskills' Crafts, Catskills' Colors,
GCCA Mountain Top Gallery, Main Street, Windham, 518-734-3104

10/9 & 10, 25th Annual Fall Festival and Craft Fair,
Belleayre Mountain, Route 28, Highmount, 845-254-5600

Saturdays in October, Saturday Fly Tyer Program,
Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, 845-439-4810

10/2/2004, Cauliflower Festival,
Village Park, Behind the A&P, Margaretville, 888-586-3300

10/9/2004, Harvest Festival,
Delaware County Fairgrounds in Walton, Delaware County Fairgrounds, Sidney, 800-835-1747 ext. 3

10/01/04 - 10/17/04, Colors and Crafts Exhibition,
Greenville Cultural Arts Center, Route 32, Greenville, 518-966-4038

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Gallery Exhibit,
Blink Gallery, 454 Lower Main Street, Andes, 845-676-3900

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Gallery Exhibit,
The Gallery, 128 Main Street, Stamford, 607-652-4030

10/01/04 - 10/31/04, Craft Shop,
The Turquoise Barn, 8052 Route 18, Bloomville, 607-538-1235

10/03/04 & 10/10/04, Harvest Festival,
Original Woodstock Concert Site, Hurd & West Shore Roads, Liberty, 845-295-2440

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Press Release: October 18, 2003

Catskill Mountain Crafts Initiative
to focus on cooperative marketing efforts

The Catskill Mountain Crafts Collective has launched a new initiative to create community-based heritage cultural trails throughout the Catskill Mountain Region.  The best of these cultural trails will be collected into a Guidebook to the Arts and Crafts of the Catskill Mountain Region to be published by Catskill Press in 2005.

According to project director, Lynne Hoppe, the effort is aimed at creating direct economic development opportunities in the communities of the Catskill Region and to assist artists in reaching their target markets.  “One of the most effective ways to attract visitors is to have artists, craftspeople and businesses work cooperatively in their communities,” said Hoppe.  “To that end we are working with local organizations and artists to create a series of community-based arts and cultural trails in the Catskill Mountains.  These trails will be promoted during our October 2004 Colors and Crafts month, they will be featured in our brochures and driving maps, and will be made available for visitors to download from a number of regional web sites.”

Each trail will include a number of open studios, gallery and specialty shops, restaurants that feature local food or a really unique dining experience, and inns and Bed & Breakfast establishments that have unique architecture or historical significance, as well as traditional tourism attractions.  The trails will be set up in clusters, said Hoppe, to help attract visitors from outside the area.  “These clusters will provide visitors with one- to three- days of activities in a specific area,” said Hoppe.  “If visitors have a number of studios to visit and a shop or two to browse in, they are likely to spend more time in a community, patronize local restaurants and to consider an overnight stay.”

According to the New York State Department of Economic Development, overnight visitors spend three times as much as day visitors.  “That’s a substantial economic impact,” said Hoppe, “and we have a pool of more than 15-million potential visitors less than three hours away in the New York metropolitan area.”

For more information on the community-based craft trails, contact the Catskill Mountain Crafts Collective at catskillcrafts@catskillmtn.org.

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