MBA plans for Fall for Arts

MILLERTON — Fall for Arts is on the minds of Millerton Business Association (MBA) members. The subject was the main topic of conversation at a group meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, held at the Irondale Schoolhouse at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. 

“We chiseled away as some of the rough edges we had from our plans at the previous meeting,” said MBA leader Dick Hermans. “What we are really trying to focus on is a village-wide art event for Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, that will draw people into Millerton to discover our artistic side.”

Fall for Arts is a weekend-long event that pairs local artists with Millerton businesses (mostly shops and restaurants with storefront windows) to promote the art scene.

“I think it’s going pretty well,” said Hermans. “We still haven’t heard from a number of shopkeepers, but the business group is larger than those who will be showing art in their places of business. I think we’re on track and in the next couple of weeks we’ll be following up with people to make sure they have an artist, if not, we’ll hook them up with one of the 14th Colony to make that connection.”

The 14th Colony Artists is an arts collaborative with 225 local, multi-disciplinary artist members in the Millerton area. Artist Mark Liebergall is helping to coordinate artists with local businesses.

“We are looking forward to this year’s Fall for Arts and will have an outdoor exhibit of art on the green near the gazebo in the heart of town,” said Liebergall. “Artists from the group are discussing the possibility of having live painting demonstrations and an event for children. We think it will be a wonderful event for the public and the village.”

In addition to having artwork in storefront windows, there will also be an exhibit at the Millerton Farmers Market at Railroad Plaza until 6 p.m. on Saturday. Additionally, Hermans said, MBA is hoping to have both plein air painters and local musicians roam the streets.

“We want to create a little atmosphere,” he said.

Hermans confirmed that there will also be art activities for children with the North East Community Center (NECC), the NorthEast-Millerton Library and the Irondale Schoolhouse as possible locations.

There will be an after party on Saturday evening.

Fall for Arts has a brief history in Millerton. It was held about five years ago for a couple of years, then it stopped. It started up again last year.

“The first couple of years it was very strong then the organization and event kind of faded a little bit,” said Hermans. “Last year we  tried to get it going and this year we hope to get something solid that we can recreate each year. We hope it will be totally successful but we’re definitely committed to having it become a real regular event in the early part of every autumn.

“The goal is for people to get to know some artists,” he added, “and maybe sell some of their art. But really the goal is for people to see Millerton is a place where artists gather.”