Akin Library and Museum "Meeting Past" Exhibition

"Red Net"  8'x10'  mesh fabric, thread 

Opening reception: Sunday, September 13, 1-5pm

Exhibit: September 18 – October 18, 2015

Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 1-4pm

 Fridays, 6-8pm includes music

Location: Akin Library and Museums, 378 Old Quaker Hill Road, Pawling, NY 

Venue Tel.: 845-855-5099 

PAWLING, NY – 2015 marks the fifth year that artist/curator, Bibiana Huang Matheis has organized the “Meeting Past” exhibit at The Akin Library and Museums in Pawling. This year the curator has reached out to 95 artists for inclusion in the exhibit making this event one of the largest art exhibits in Dutchess County and indeed, in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Locating “Meeting Past” within historical and natural history collections may seem at odds with a plan to exhibit contemporary art. The building, an elegant late Victorian stone structure sited on Pawling’s Quaker Hill holds the Olive Gunnison Natural History Museum, Historical Society Museum, and the Akin Library.  Adding in contemporary artworks energizes the space and permanent collections with new meaning. A number of the artists will create a site specific artwork that appears to have been part of the collection, adding to the visitor’s experience of looking through all three floors of artifacts for the artworks. 

Artists include regional artists that exhibit internationally, as well as emerging artists, ranging from 5 years of age into to the 80s. The curator has thoughtfully guided the placement of the artworks, making each piece fit into the theme of the space by working closely with the artists.

"Red and Purple"detail     mesh fabric, thread  3'x5'

These two pieces will be shown in the upstairs gallery at the Akin.  They are part of a series of new works created using mesh fabric.