Photographer Spotlight: Marlena Aakjar

In honor of Photographer Appreciation Month in October, we’re highlighting some of our local photographers. Get to know more about Marlena Aakjar of Photos by Marlena below! 

Your name and type of camera you use / prefer?

 Marlena Aakjar | Photos by Marlena, I use a Nikon D850

What type of photography do you most often do […]

By |2025-10-09T11:31:57-04:00October 9th, 2025|Main Street News, The Arts|

Photographer Spotlight: Christopher Hodson of Cooked in Connecticut

In honor of Photographer Appreciation Month in October, we’re highlighting some of our local photographers. Get to know more about Christopher Hodson of @cookedinconnecticut below. 

Your name and type of camera you use / prefer?

Christopher Hodson. I use canon products because they are what I know and prefer. I currently use a Rebel T7i […]

By |2025-10-01T10:00:11-04:00October 6th, 2025|Main Street News, The Arts|

Photographer Spotlight: JenniWaka Photography

In honor of Photographer Appreciation Month in October, we’re highlighting some of our local photographers. Get to know more about Hillsdale, NY-based photographer Jen Wakamatsu of JenniWaka Photography below. 

Your name and type of camera you use / prefer?

Jennifer Wakamatsu and I use a Canon 5dMkiii.

What type of photography do you most often do or prefer […]

By |2025-10-02T09:17:55-04:00October 2nd, 2025|Main Street News, The Arts|

Upstate Now: A coffee table book highlighting the beauty of the Hudson Valley and stories of the lives lived here

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 […]

By |2025-10-01T14:06:59-04:00October 1st, 2025|Main Street News, The Arts|

Get lost, then get to work

Back in February, I decided it was time to rekindle the art spark for myself. I was a studio art major in college (way back when!), and while I’ve retained an active interest in art, I have not consistently practiced making art. Regular efforts over the years left me feeling frustrated and definitely “not good […]

By |2025-09-29T10:41:12-04:00October 1st, 2025|Business, The Arts|

Outdoor sculpture spaces

Art Omi grows contemporary work in former farm fields

It would be blasphemy to talk about outdoor sculpture exhibits in this area without including Art Omi in Ghent, NY, where modest to massive contemporary works become part of the landscape, owning hilltops, filling fields, and tucking into hedge-rows of a one-time 120-acre dairy farm.

Francis J. […]

By |2025-09-29T10:36:27-04:00October 1st, 2025|Business, Featured Article, The Arts|

Dugazon Shop, a home goods shop in the making for 21 years, opens in Sharon, CT

“Dugazon was born from our shared deep appreciation for heritage, discovery, and experiences that have shaped a life well-lived,” says Bobby Graham and Matt Marden, owners of the newly opened home goods store Dugazon, located in Sharon, CT. 

The concept behind Dugazon has been in the making since Graham and Marden’s first date 21 […]

By |2025-10-02T08:59:19-04:00October 1st, 2025|Business, Featured Article, The Arts|

Kingston-based Irish musician Sean Griffin discusses his new single, “People Are Mad,” and his forthcoming solo album

Sean Griffin has been steeped in traditional Irish music since he was a child. However, Griffin wasn’t motivated to make music himself until he discovered punk and alternative rock as a teenager. After moving to New York City in 1998, Griffin formed Celtic rock band the Ruffians, with which he would go on […]

By |2025-09-05T13:15:39-04:00September 9th, 2025|Main Street News, Main Street Recommends, Music|

A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation returns to Massachusetts in September

Above: The critically acclaimed “A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation,” features a cast of world champion Irish dancers. Seen here is “Fincencore” featuring Cian Walsh and the ensemble. Photo by Chris Hardy. 

A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation will be returning to Massachusetts this September. Hailed […]

By |2025-08-29T14:16:47-04:00September 4th, 2025|Main Street News, The Arts|
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