The long, sunny days of summer are when the Hudson Valley comes alive with exciting events and family-friendly activities. For anyone who’s looking to expand their artistic horizons, the Cornell Creative Arts Center (CCAC) in Midtown Kingston has a full summer season of exhibitions and educational programming planned that provides people of all ages and abilities with rich opportunities to learn about art, grow their artistic talent, and connect with the community.
Opened in 2020, the CCAC’s state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot facility includes dedicated studios for ceramics and sculpture, painting and mixed media, and dance and movement, as well as a gallery exhibition space, rehearsal halls for music, creative writing rooms, and a digital arts and media studio.
From art exhibitions to workshops to community events, here’s what the CCAC is cooking up for this summer.
Art Exhibits and Events
From June 3 through 10, there will be an exhibition of 125 works by Kingston School District students from Kindergarten through grade 12, as well as faculty, that is sure to inspire kids, parents, and community members alike. An artist from each grade will receive a scholarship to a CCAC art workshop.
From June 14 until July 1, the CCAC will be celebrating Pride Month in style with drag fashion shows, Vogue workshops, and other performances.
From July 6 through August 9, there will be a ceramics show, "Ceramics and the Equilibrium," featuring works from the Kingston ceramics community. "Gallery hours are 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, or by appointment.
Art Workshops and Camps
Alongside exhibiting fine art, the CCAC encourages everyone to explore their artistic abilities through inclusive workshops with opportunities for sliding scale pricing. Ongoing workshops this summer include drawing and painting, sculpting, and ceramics, and movement classes.
Visual artists can join an introductory course on a variety of mediums or pop into an open studio class to practice their skills. Anyone interested in moving their bodies can learn the ancient art of belly dancing with CCAC instructor Barushka, practice adult ballet with Laura Victoria Ward, or experience meditative and edurance movement with Florence Poolain, and workshops on Japanese Butoh dance theatre with Julie Becton Gillum. Burgeoning ceramicists can try their hand at the wheel in classes designed to teach the basics or move up to independent studio time. There’s even an ADA-compliant pottery wheel, and all ceramics classes also include kiln training and free firing of pieces.
This season, the CCAC will also be hosting a youth summer camp for ages 8 to 16. The camp will take place Tuesdays through Fridays 10:30am to 3:30pm from August 1 through 25. The camp will include activities that feature ceramics, sculpture, theatre, filmmaking, music, dance, and drawing, as well as day-trips.
Stay up-to-date with the latest calendar of workshops here.
Community Events
Anyone in search of a welcoming space to practice their performance skills can head over to one of the CCAC’s monthly Coffee House sessions, which will take place the last Friday of the month from 7 to 9pm. Performers can hop on the stage to share everything from poetry and spoken word to music, monologues or theater scenes, stand-up, and improv. Tickets cost $5 and include coffee and light snacks, plus a night of great entertainment for anyone who wants to tag along.
To learn more about the CCAC’s programs and workshops, visit ccacny.org or call (845) 768-5080.
