GOSTartists Block Party Opens Doors in Gardiner, NY

GARDINER GETS DOOR'ED in advance of the Gardiner Open Studio Tour

September 26th was a beautiful autumn day in the hamlet of Gardiner; people strolled the art-lined sidewalks, visiting with one another and patronized local establishments There were donkey rides and face painting. This village-wide collaboration between the artists of the Gardiner Open Studio Tour, local businesses and property owners on Main Street was an exciting moment to be part of.

 The installation of the doors had mostly taken place the days before the party, but GOSTdoors, tents and balloons were still going up all morning to make ready for this party.

Traffic slowed as drivers cruised past the 30 or so #GOSTdoors lining the village's Main street from Cafe Mio to the Gardiner Reformed Church and all around Bill Richards green lawn in the center of town.

It was the day of the GOSTartists’ block party on Main Street. As part of the festivities, local high school students from Wallkill HS joined in the spirit of the day, painting their own doors under the enthusiastic eyes of their teachers, parents, friends and GOSTartist, Lady Pink who coordinated the student project. Together they worked out on the green and painted their own doors live, for all to see. The capstone of the day was to offer visitors a chance to bid on the wonderful hand painted GOSTdoors created by the Gardiner Open Studio Tour artists.

The event was a great success.  The theme of the day was art and community. And the purpose was to bring art to the hamlet, and raise funds for the Gardiner Library. Thanks to donations from the artists and others and sales of several GOSTdoors to generous friends and neighbors, money was raised for the Gardiner Library.

The block party was also intended to raise awareness of the upcoming Gardiner Open Studio Tour. During this free event, local artists will be welcoming the public into their studios on Columbus weekend, October, 10, 11 and 12, 10am-5pm.

We would like to thank all of the GOSTartists whose art adorns our lovely town: Pam Booth, Stacie Flint, Keri Gould, Lynn Isaacson, Leonie Lacouette, Marsha Massih, Andrea McFarland, Meadow, Annie O'Neill, Jonathan Pazer, Marilyn Perry, Lady Pink, Roger Smith, Jean Tansey John A. Varriano and DM Weil.
We also had doors painted and contributed to the exhibition by friends of the Tour, including Ryan Cronin, Liz Glover Wilson, Julie Muck, and Bruce Pileggi.

We would like to thank all the following for their assistance and support in bringing the GOST-artists’ Block Party to life: Tracey Bartels, Bill Richards, Tuthilltown Spirits, Laurie Willow and Ophelia the donkey, Kay Churchill, Bill and Elaine Case, Emily Santos, Pasquale's Pizza, Docinha Sweet Shoppe, Andy Cimino, Horatio Geminiano, Carol Berman, Olivia Profaci, Francheska Geminiano, Dawn Correa, Tammy Grandolfo, Carl Zatz, Petey Hop, Debbie and Raffaela of Walden Savings Bank, Cathy Erenzo, Gable Erenzo and the art students of Wallkill HS.

The GOSTdoors of Gardiner will remain up until after the Gardiner Open Studio Tour, this weekend, Oct. 10, 11 & 12, 2015. 10am - 5pm all three days.

Artist Guide, and Tour Map available at many local businesses in Gardiner and New Paltz, NY. Also available for download on our website: www.GOSTartists.org

Finally a big thank you to visionary Gardinerite and project director for the GOSTartists' block party, Robin Hayes.

GOST Artiner