ARCHIVE

In the latest Hudson Valley Word of Mouth segment, Julia Joern visits Ghent in Columbia County to meet with Ruth Adams and Gavin Berger, the co-executive directors of Art Omi.

Originally founded over thirty years ago as an artist-in-residency program, today Art Omi spans over 120 acres of sprawling fields, vast pastures, and winding wooded paths. Its Sculpture and Architecture Park currently features 60 large-scale works installed throughout the landscape where visitors get to experience art in nature, whether it's on their own or in a guided group tour, through workshops and educational initiatives, and even by cross-country skiing.

Welcoming guests upon arrival is the Beneson Center. Designed by FT Architecture, this environmentally progressive LEED certified building is Art Omi's venue for indoor events and also houses staff offices, a cafe, and a 1500-square foot exhibition space. Now on view in its gallery is 'To Feel Myself Beloved on the Earth,' a solo show of quilts, garments, drums, prints, and video by Choctaw-Cherokee artist and MacArthur Fellow, Jeffrey Gibson.

Since its start, Art Omi has hosted over 2,000 artists, architects, dancers, musicians, writers, and translators from over 100 countries. These residency programs continue to culminate in recitals, performances, talks, readings, and symposiums offered to the general public.