Main Street News

Upstate Now: Art, Design, and Rural Life in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, a coffee table book providing photographs and stories about place, community, and living a creative life in the Hudson Valley, was released on September 16. 

The book, by Michel Arnaud and Jane Creech, offers an intimate and immersive look into the lives of the people living in and their impact on this historic and beautiful region. “The book is part of a series that focuses on the renewal and revitalization of cities and towns,” says Arnaud. “We were interested in how art, architecture, and design impacts places. Upstate Now is different because it looks at a region and how people are living there.” 

Curating Upstate Now

Arnaud is an internationally recognized photographer whose work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, House & Garden, and Architectural Digest. He first got his start as a fashion industry runway photographer, then went on to specialize as an interior design photographer for shelter magazines. He first came to the Hudson Valley to visit friends, then as a weekender, and finally, he became a permanent resident.

Jane Creech, an agent, artist, editor, and writer, grew up in Greeneville, South Carolina before attending the Rhode Island School of Design. It was in college that she first came to the Hudson Valley to visit and study various Shaker sites. After spending nearly 30 years of her career living in New York City, Creech made the move upstate. 

Upstate Now explores cultural institutions, including The Iroquois Museum and the Shaker Settlement; art destinations such as Bill Arning Exhibitions and the sprawling non-profit Art Omi center in Ghent, NY; designers and design landmarks, including the Deer Mountain Inn in Tannersville, NY, and architect Steven Holl’s ‘T’ Space for art, music, and performance; and even the daily pleasures in food, flowers, and farms at places such as Silver Brothers Distillery in Old Chatham, NY, and the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market in Troy, NY. 

“We are storytellers,” Arnaud says. “I take thousands of pictures, and we decide which images tell the story the best. Many of the locations represent unique aspects of upstate New York, such as traveling here by train, the artists working here, the history of this palace, the tiny villages, the connections to the land, farmers and farmstands, and even diner culture. Balancing the diverse elements of art, architecture, and nature required careful consideration and collaboration.”

A fresh take on the Hudson Valley 

Part of what makes Upstate Now so special is that it shares the unique stories of the people who have made their homes here – from designers and artists to farmers and entrepreneurs – and explores their creative lives. 

“We wanted to make a different kind of book on upstate New York, as we attempt to give a well-rounded view of what it is like not just to visit, but to live here,” Arnaud explains. “We hope people will be delighted to discover the vibrant art scene in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.” 

“Creating this book was a rewarding experience, but it also came with its share of obstacles,” Creech adds. “We had to navigate logistical issues and ensure that we accurately represented the unique aspects of each location. We felt like we knew a lot of the places we covered, but when we started interviewing the owners, we discovered their fascinating backstories. We found we had a lot in common with the people who live here and started businesses.” 

Book signing in Chatham 

On Thursday, October 9, Marton & Davis will be hosting Michel Arnaud and Jane Creech from 5-7pm to celebrate the release of Upstate Now. There will be wine provided by Hudson-Chatham Winery, flowers by Damsel Garden, based in Stuyvesant, NY (which is featured in the book!), and a book signing. 

“We are grateful to be part of this wonderful community, surrounded by beauty,” Arnaud shares. “The book is a testament to that feeling. We hope readers will find ideas for their towns or be inspired to visit these places and see for themselves. Everyone we talked to for the book mentioned how important it is to have a connection to nature. There’s something special happening here.” 

The Upstate Now book party will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 5-7pm at Marton & Davis at 33 Main Street, Chatham, NY. To learn more about the book and order online, visit this site. For more information about Marton & Davis, visit their site here.