Scott Baldinger reports from Ghent. Who knew that artists, particularly those from around the world, such as Omi resident artistsAhmed el Shaer, from Egypt, and Kakyoung Lee, from South Korea (at left) -- and even curators, board members, and just plain supporters and guests from more local parts -- could be so adorable. Maybe it's because they are all rather content to be involved in the 21st Art Omi Open Studio Weekend, which consisted of three parts: a gala dinner on the evening of Saturday July 14, and a brunch and studio tour on the next day, all on the sylvan grounds of this arts center and outdoor sculpture park. The studio tour went beyond likeability and into the realm of real talent at work, some of which is captured here. As director of outreach Debbie Gardner says, "It's always great to see someone walking up the wooded street in a dashiki and realize 'Ah, what a relief, an artist.' "
Omi Artists in residence en masse, from left to right: Santiago Borja, Mexico; Alessandro Badolato, Italy; Ahmed El Shaer, Egypt; Carlos Castro, Colombia; Ivelisse Jimenez, Puerto Rico; Agathe de Bailliencourt, France; Jasmina Metwaly, Poland.
Omi International Arts Center board members Harry and Wendy Kantor with Omi founder and chairman Francis Greenburger; Omi supporters Michelle Lovelace and Lloyd Zimet,with son Dexter Zimet (at left).
Aaron Lieberman and Jamie Lieberman from Chatham; architect Jane Smith and Skalar Modern's Danusia Jarecka.
Tarik Currimbhoy, artist, architect, and Omi board member with Omi art critic in residence Saul Ostrow; writer Ed Tivnan with Rural Intelligence founder and contributor Marilyn Bethany.
Omi trustees Lori Burnett and Bruce Burnett; Frank Martinez Gonzalez, an Omi resident artist from Cuba, being visited by his friend Armando Marino, also from Cuba.
Omi administrative director Ruth Adams and Debbie Gardner, director of outreach. Art publicist Katherine T. Carter, with her dog Hugo, Omi board member Margaret Evangeline, and Dominique Nahas, art and critic and Omi board member, with Voltaire.
Camp Omi alumni Ethan Laird and Maxwell Laird with mom Gail Wittier Laird; Omi board members John and Linda Cross.
Omi resident artist Salvatore Scalora and his "Please Give Me a Brain" series of busts.
Omi resident artists: Matt Shane, from Canada; Gamaliel Rodriguez, from Puerto Rico.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
