Exploring arts outside the Vassar campus

Rachel Pittenger Staff Writer

From film screenings to theater productions to art exhibits, the arts are a central aspect of Vassar culture. However, outside the College gates lies a great opportunity to experience such cultural endeavors in the broader Dutchess County setting.

For those with a penchant for fine arts, “Art Along the Hudson” displays a series of exhibits each Saturday at various locations, including galleries in Poughkeepsie. Currently, Barrett Clay Works is showcasing works by ceramicist Lisa Knaus until Feb. 18. “Art Along the Hudson” is now in its third year, and also holds showcases in Beacon, Kingston, and Newburgh. Project representatives cite preservation of the arts and economic development in the region as their goals.

The Cuneen-Hackett Arts Center, located on Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, was founded by two members of Matthew Vassar’s family and remains dedicated to its historic roots. The Center houses a wide spectrum of exhibits and performances. Their galleries feature rotating exhibits by local and regional artists, while the theater hosts plays and concerts, including a performance showcasing “an eclectic mix of regional, contemporary, operatic and classical Italian music” on March 4. The union of arts and history at the Cuneen-Hackett Arts Center embodies their commitment to cultivating an ever-evolving creative community.

More familiar to Vassar students is Poughkeepsie’s 130-year-old Bardavon Theater, located at 35 Market Street, which continues to offer a diverse mix of theater, dance and music. In addition to the annual Vassar Repertory Dance Theater performance on March 3 and 4, other notable shows will include an African Ballet on Feb. 11 and 12, satirist and author David Sedaris on March 31, multiple performances by the Hudson Valley Philharmonic on March 10-11 and March 27-29, and monthly screenings of classic films on Friday nights. Like the Cuneen-Hackett Center, the Bardavon caters to many artistic tastes with its extensive repertoire of performance-oriented events.

The cultural identity of Dutchess County is certainly not limited to these three organizations. On the contrary, it extends to the farthest reaches of the visual and performing arts and touches upon areas that the Vassar campus may never see. While it is easy to lose oneself in everything this campus has to offer, the outside world of Dutchess County awaits with plenty of unexplored artistic territory.