Main Street News

Come to the Skywalk Arts Festival

The Hudson River Skywalk is one of the most picturesque areas in the Northeast. So picturesque it gave birth to the art movement, the Hudson River School, begun by Thomas Cole and Frederic Church whose homes are located at either end of the Hudson River Skywalk.

Our 7^th annual Skywalk Arts Festival, on Saturday, September 16^th from 10AM to 4PM on the grounds of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill, showcases the work of local artists and photographers who display and sell their framed and unframed art. Park for free in the lot on the west side of the bridge next to the administration building.

Painting lesson with Stasia Fernandez

Learn to paint a landscape with art educator, Stasia Fernandez, who many have said has the ability to “teach a rock to paint”! Everyone walks away with a work of art to hang on their wall. Listen to live music of David Temple, classical guitarist, and Brian Silber, violinist. David and Brian will perform separately and also collaborate, creating wonderful music in a beautiful location overlooking the Hudson River.

Some participating artists

Many artists and photographers have been with us for most of the seven years. We also have some new artists joining us for the first time. Visit Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley Facebook and Instagram to view posts on participating artists.

Thomas Cole website — https://thomascole.org/
Olana website — https://www.olana.org/
HBHV Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/HistoricBridgesHudsonValley
HBHV Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/historicbridgeshudsonvalley/
Thomas Cole Instagram – Thomas Cole Historic Site (@thomascolesite) • Instagram photos and videos
Olana Instagram – Frederic Church’s Olana (@olanafredericchurch) • Instagram photos and videos

We are joined on the festival grounds this year by representatives of Taste NY, celebrating their 10 anniversary, providing samples and information about wonderful foods grown and produced right here in New York State. After visiting our event, cross the Hudson River to Olana State Historic Site for a Taste NY event from noon to 2PM, that features some of the unique Taste NY producers and growers that make New York great..

Cloud painting at Thomas Cole National Historic Site

Touring Olana State Historic Site

As this is our 7^th annual festival, we’d like to say a special thank you to the New York State Bridge Authority for providing the beautiful grounds and workers who help to make the event a success every year. In particular, a special thanks to Jack Kelly, Bridge Foreman, and the maintenance crew for all they do, but mostly a big thank you to Frank Pavlin, Director of Administration, who was the assistant bridge manager at the Rip during our first festival. Frank is a Catskill resident, and like most of the people working at the Bridge Authority, Frank loves to interact with the community. He’s been greeting visitors at the Skywalk Arts Festival all these years, and we couldn’t run the festival without him.

So make a day of it. Visit our Skywalk Arts Festival, walk the Hudson River Skywalk, and join in activities at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site and Olana State Historic Site.

Turn into the Bridge Authority parking lot on the west side of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

Parking for the event is free.