Millbrook Winery invites art into the loft

MILLBROOK — Art and wine frequently go hand in hand at gallery openings, but The Dutchess County Arts Council and Millbrook Winery partnership has taken the set to the next level. The Art in the Loft series exhibits talented local artists who are selected through a juried process. The Millbrook Winery has a long hallway ideal for use as a gallery space. The current show, which is its third and final show, is on display until Nov. 13. The Art in the Loft’s final exhibit features drawings and paintings by Michael Gellatly, Polaroids by China Jorrin and metal sculpture by Todd Jones and his 19-year-old son, Brian, who is freshman at Pratt Institute. A reception was held for the artists Sunday, Sept. 25.“There was a wonderful opening on Sunday night. It was very well-attended,” said Lisa Fiorese, business manger at Dutchess County Arts Council. “Sunday night was the first time that we had live music at the opening. We had a string trio. It was a very well-attended event and the artists were very pleased to have some of their work sold that evening.”The Art in the Loft series began in 1999. Fiorese said that Millbrook Winery approached the Arts Council explaining that there was a hallway loft area on their guided tour and would like to display artwork in the space. The Arts Council became the curator for the loft gallery space. The Arts Council announces in the spring whent they are accepting applications for the year’s exhibition.“It is only open to Arts Council members so it is the one of the benefits of your membership,” said Fiorese. “Certainly you can join the same time you submit your work and it’s perfectly acceptable.”The council chooses three or four artists per show. Artists who are part of the series also have the opportunity to enter the wine label contest. Visitors to the winery’s loft may vote on which piece of art they’d like to see on a wine bottle. Voters can also go online to the Dutchess County Arts Council website. In November a winner will be announced.“The Millbrook Winery creates a special series of wine with the artists’ wine labels,” said Fiorese. “The proceeds of any of that wine that sells goes to the artist and the Arts Council.”The wine label competition is in its third season, which began in 2009.“We do a lot of custom labeling here for people such as birthdays, wedding and corporate events around the holidays,” said Stacy Hudson, marketing director at Millbrook Winery. “This just seemed to be a natural extension of that. We typically have nine or 10 per year, so it was just sort of an idea we brainstormed one morning, and the Arts Council was very receptive to it and the artists seem to be enjoying it.”The loft is open seven days a week from noon until 5 p.m.; it is free to the public. For more information regarding the participating artists and the Art in the Loft exhibition, visit www.artsmidhudson.org or call 845-454-3222. For more information regarding the Millbrook Winery, visit www.millbrookwine.com or call 845-677-8383.“I think the caliber of artist is very professional,” said Hudson. “It’s a nice selection. We try and get a diverse range of mediums so it’s not always same thing. And just having groups of artists three or four at a time brings some diversity to the exhibits. From our perspective it just brings the loft alive it adds a great dimension to the space up there.”

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