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Art Gallery

March 1-30
Peter Cheney
Art Reception: Saturday, March 1, 1-3:00pm
April 1-29
Dan Rous
Art Reception: Saturday, April 5, 1:00-3:00pm

For most of my life, I took pictures of everything I saw until portraits became my primary focus. Covid brought that to a sudden halt. Like all of us, I entered isolation. What now?

 

Determined to find a way to recreate the pleasure of capturing the spirits of my human subjects, I found myself drawn to the forms, textures, colors and even the personalities of apparently inanimate objects like bottles, tools, kitchenware and especially toys. These objects, having taken up residence in my studio, became familiar friends. As my collection grew over months and years, their unique personalities continued to emerge as each made the case for how, and with whom they wished to be photographed, sometimes auditioning for repeat roles.

In addition to my photography, I worked as a collagist in paper and fabric. So it was probably inevitable that, over time, objects from my photographic collection crept their way into my latest assemblages, enriching them while posing the challenge of how to combine two and three-dimensional elements.

This exhibition is the result of the joyous, puzzling, sometimes hilarious collaboration between me and my willing subjects.

 

Bio

Dan has been a photographer, artist, opera singer, cantor and teacher. Possessed from a young age with a keen interest in making and studying art, Dan majored in Art History at Columbia University. He holds a Master’s degree from Columbia Teacher’s College and a diploma of hazzan from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Fortunately, none of that dampened Dan’s love of play. In all his varied work experiences, his desire to create has been at the core.

May 1-29
Janet Clement
May 31 - June 28
Collin Douma: United Fauna Defence Forces

What if a time came when the direct impact of humans on the oceans and planet had a rapid evolutionary effect on Earth’s fauna? What if they teamed up and used our weapons to defend themselves?
Inspired by Archibald Stansfeld Belaney, commonly known as Grey Owl, who was once a fur trapper in the Canadian wilderness, but became a popular writer, public speaker, and conservationist who is credited with saving the Canadian Beaver from extinction.

Artist Statement

WHAT IF…?
Many people dislike this question. Asking retrospectively about your path not taken is more
about nostalgia or rationalization than truth. But when asked in the face of opportunity, it
becomes inspiration, the creator of worlds. When wielded correctly, it slays the doubters and
shields the dreamer. What if King Kong didn't want to fight but just wanted to head home?
What if animals adopted our technology and declared war on us? What if you could read a
book from a different character's perspective? What if one's potential rather than circumstance
defined their beauty?
So I ask, "What if...?" Come what may.

Artist Bio

Collin is a visual artist born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Through life’s coincidences, he now lives near Woodstock, New York.
His career spans fine art, illustration, animation, digital and figurative works. Ink and watercolors have become his most frequent mediums, although he works in whatever medium is called for.
Collin has exhibited work across the US and Canada and in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Like most, Collin started drawing as soon as he could lift a crayon, but he never stopped. The son of a cop and a nurse, Collin grew up in the blue-collar world where art was his escape. He studied traditional animation at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada. He lived in Toronto for over a decade, married, had a son, and established a career in Advertising. His family immigrated to New York City in 2010 and finally settled in Boiceville, NY, in 2017, where he lives and works today.
Collin is actively participating in the Hudson Valley art scene, having exhibited work in and around the area.

Contact us about displaying your art

Send an email to Caroline Siecke-Pape with at least 4 images representing your art. View the Sample Exhibit Agreement below as well as the Gallery Dimensions.

© 2025 VALLEY COTTAGE LIBRARY ∙ 110 Route 303

Valley Cottage, NY 10989

Phone: 845-268-7700

Fax: 845-268-7760

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