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PrintWestchester Real Estate 2012: Peekskill Best Place for Art Lovers
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Photo courtesy of HVCCA Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art is one of the many artsy attractions in Peekskill |
While there are active, artist loft communities in several Westchester locations (Yonkers and New Rochelle come to mind), the most established is in Peekskill, where a gaggle of galleries and other artsy places have opened over the last few years. The northernmost city in the county took a big leap forward 10 years ago when it built 28 affordable, live-work spaces to revitalize the community. Today, residents include painters, printmakers, architects, photographers, jewelry-makers, and ceramicists, as well as musicians, video artists, writers, choreographers, and digital designers.
The lofts have also spawned other studios and galleries, most within a six-block area of downtown. You’ll find just about any flavor of visual art in the studios and galleries in Peekskill, including ceramics, sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, videos, and installations. Places to shop and browse include The Fern Tree crafts and gift boutique, the Flat Iron Gallery, Peekskill Clay Studios @ the Hat Factory, the Driftwood Gallery/Studio, and over a dozen more. You’ll also find fun spots like the BeanRunner Cafe and BRC Gallery and The Peekskill Coffee House, where you can fuel your browsing with a little caffeine.
The Peekskill Arts Council brings thousands of visitors to the city for open studio events that spill over to the nearby Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, the Upper Gallery at the Paramount Center for the Arts, the Peekskill Center for the Digital Arts at Westchester Community College, and even DIA: Beacon, just 25 minutes away.
