Local farms captured in ‘Stewards of the Land'

Highland —The beauty of Hudson Valley farms draw many painters. More than 30 local artists joined the “Stewards of the Land and Canvas” plein air “paint out” to capture these landscapes and, at the same time, support sustainable agriculture in the region. The Meet Me in Marlborough/Marlborough Agricultural Alliance, a group of farm and winery owners and other local businesses, sponsored the paint out. It was conducted from May, with its fruit blossoms, to October, with its scenes of harvest. More than 100 paintings will be traveling the area so that they can be viewed by as many people as possible. The paintings will be displayed at Vintage Village in the Village of Highland. In 2003, Vintage Village turned an abandoned lumberyard into a tourist destination. A Victorian courtyard complete with stonework, gardens, and fountains now stands where a lumber warehouse burned down many years ago. Surrounding the courtyard are several antiques shops, historical exhibits, and flea market areas. The waterwheel of the 1889 sawmill was restored in 2005. The Twaalfskill Creek flows right through the building below. The Artists Loft occupies the second floor of the sawmill building. The exhibit will run from Jan. 26 through March 29. The show will open with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26. The public is invited to attend and meet the artists. Admission and refreshments are free. Vintage Village is located on Route 44/55 in Highland, half a mile off Route 9W, and five minutes from the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Exhibit hours are Thursdays through Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 691-6000.