Elective Education

You may eventually fail to remember the correct spelling of Shawangunk, or neglect Kingston’s title as the first capital of New York, but the Hudson Valley backdrop is impossible to forget. The violet, peacock blue, fire-kiln hues of the sky, the commanding presence of the Hudson River, the rise of Smiley tower over Mohonk’s staggering foliage—these experiences are imperishable because they are inspirational. In a surrounding that fuels our imagination long after we’ve gone, how could we not, as curious beings, desire to investigate every microcosm while we’re here?

The many continuing education opportunities allow you to further develop a current interest or delve into something unexplored. Every class offers something more than a greater breadth of knowledge. “People come out of class feeling more in tune with All That Is,” says Philippe Garnier, who teaches sound healing workshops at the Sage Center for the Healing Arts in Woodstock. Interaction, both personal and social, will continuously prove to be rewarding. “While we are providing an educational venue for people, the other side of our purpose involves providing a community,” says Arzi McKeown, curriculum coordinator of Lifespring, an adult learning community in Saugerties. These are the days that will develop into memories—let’s expend all the inspiration we can.

Art has been a pivotal piece of Hudson Valley life since the Hudson River School’s promotion of the area’s landscape in the 1800s. The Center for Photography at Woodstock offers tutorials in Photoshop, reviews for completed portfolios, and a wide variety of classes with preeminent photographers like Mary Ellen Mark. Poughkeepsie’s Barrett Art Center offers levels from beginning to master across any medium, from ceramics to pastels. Similarly intriguing classes, such as dollmaking, silk painting, and pet portraiture are all offered through November at the Wallkill River School in Montgomery. Through the output of the valley’s many artists, each change in season and century has been permanently captured. No transformation has added to the Hudson Valley landscape quite as inimitably as Bannerman Castle, however. Overnight and daytime photography workshops are offered on the island—an enviable opportunity; photos from the mainland do not compare to ducking dense foliage and easing along the island ebb for the perfect shot.

Abstract drawing courses taught at the Woodstock School of Art by the renowned and adored Meredith Rosier have developed a reputation of their own. Former students attest to her contagious passion for art and expansive repertoire; two coveted aspects that often leave her classes with an extensive waiting list. The Woodstock School of Art offers many other courses such as collage, monotype, lithography, and plein air painting that will also satisfy your craving to create.

Hudson Valley musicians weild significant influence in their respective genres: Pete Seeger and folk music, Sonny Rollins’s jazz saxophone, Natalie Merchant’s variation of pop. Workshops offered at Beacon Music Factory and Full Moon Resort aim to add to the impact. “It’s surprising and just plain awesome to discover how many adults make a concerted effort to have music making be part of their everyday lives,” says Stephen Clair, guitar expert, songwriter, founder of music website Local 845, and teacher at the Beacon Music Factory. In addition to workshops for children and private lessons, the Beacon Music Factory offers Jazz Ensemble with trumpet-player Larry Moses, Chamber Group for Strings with Kathleen Patrick, the new Community Choir for Adults led by Tina Cody,  Group Harmonica for the People with Michael Farkas, and Group Guitar for the People. In greatest demand, however, is Rock Band Boot Camp for Adults. “People try out instruments that are completely new to them. Everyone sings, everyone plays,” Clair explains.