The Preserve Observer Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve Magazine Vol. XXXII Fall 2014 Meet the Artists Inspired to Create The Friends Logos “We find the Works of Nature still more pleasant, the more they resemble those of art. “ –Joseph Addison Tommy Capossela assessing the damage on Featured Artist: Old Sleepy Hollow trail Over the years, the Friends have An Ongoing Huang Yue been fortunate in having several art- ists contribute their vision and work Task: Keeping Huang Yue, one of China’s most to our fundraising efforts. Inspired renowned artists, is honored at the Our Trails In Top by the beauty of the carriage trails, Art Gallery of the Rockefeller Park Condition these artists created works solely to Preserve in an invitational exhibition be used by the Friends to further in- of contemporary works of art remi- By Stella Medina, spire our community of hikers, run- niscent of the delicate imagery found Friends Vice President ners, equestrians, and nature lovers. in century-old Asian art. Bird and Greetings to all our Friends of the We would like to acknowledge and flower paintings are Mr. Yue’s sym- Rockefeller State Park Preserve. 2014 celebrate these artists for the works bolic reflection of mankind’s spirit was a busy, and successful year for they have contributed and the ex- and ideology that unify East and us on the trails. Between the State of pressions of beauty we have been West, not only in concept, but use of New York and the public’s generous able to share with all those who love mediums such as Chinese water inks contributions to the Friends, we the Preserve. and rich colorful oils. Since graduat- were able to complete many needed ing with a fine arts degree from the Our logo for the Friends was de- projects. Beijing Film Academy in 1982, more signed circa 1996 by Mary Louise Between end of October 2013 and than two hundred works of art have Pierson. Mary Louise studied at end of August 2014, the State spent been acquired by distinguished col- the Rhode Island School of Design $42,602 on carriage road repairs and lectors in the USA, the Pacific Rim and is an avid and knowledgeable maintenance. Many roads received and cultural centers abroad. equestrian. While she currently attention: Eagle Hill, Lucy’s Loop, Details on page 11 continued on page 2 continued on page 8 Page 2 Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve Magazine Vol. XXXII Fall 2014 Artists, continued from page 1 exposed to an eclectic array of artwork and encouraged to cre- resides in Vermont, her familiarity and love of the trails ate at an early age, as her father led her to create our beautiful logo. Recently, in 2013, we is an accomplished painter and updated the logo by wrapping it in a leaf, while maintain- sculptor with a Masters in Fine ing the original image exactly as designed. In our eyes, the Arts. She volunteered to cre- logo contains everything that an image can convey about ate our first “Rocky’s 5k” t-shirt the Preserve--the horse and carriage, trees and nature, and design in 2009. Featuring a tree young family. with a lyrical path and leaves, it captured a wonderful peaceful “It was a gift and a privilege to have feeling. Subsequent years have those amazing trails as our back yard to expanded on the theme with play in as children. To know that I can trees holding a heart and other pay back to help save these carriage images. This year’s design takes a different approach but roads for many generations to come is still has much of the same spirit of community, health and an honor.” – Mary Louise Pierson peace. It will be unveiled, of course, at the Rocky’s 5k on Oct. 25th. “Bold, decisive, and dynamic are just some of the adjectives that describe Jessica Miller’s work. Vibrant brushwork and vivid color Alta Buden is a young artist who THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL AUTUMN COUNTRY PACE & embolden her canvas with a unique expression that captures the grew up near the trails. She studied LUNCHEON Sunday October 14, 2012 essence of her subjects. Whether painting a landscape or portrait, at the University of Chicago, where at Rockwood Hall Jessica finds the indelible qualities that invigorate and fortify her she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in work, leaving the viewer captivated by her interpretations of life Fine Arts and History. Her work and nature. Jessica’s work seems influenced by the Fauvists of the spans several mediums and includes 20th century yet remains uniquely and formidably an expression drawings, paintings, and cut-outs. of herself and her time.” — Andrew Lattimore In the years 2010-2011, she designed our Autumn Pace journal covers, Originally from with the latest one being an artistic northern Michigan, cut-out of a horse jumping. Alta is Jessica now makes currently continuing her artistic endeavors in the NYC area her home in the and we are certain of her continued success. Hudson River Valley. She is best “Creating art for the journal cover has known for her por- been a small way for me to contribute to traits, recognizable the park and its future. I grew up playing for their expression- ist style and vibrant in the park and know how valuable it is. color. Particularly I love the idea of helping events like the popular are her pace bring new people in to appreciate half-hour portraits, Summer at Rocky’s – Jessica Miller it.” – Alta Buden small paintings done in one quick sitting, which effectively capture likeness as well as mood. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Jessica studied at the School of Kelly Thompson is an accomplished runner and is the Visual Arts and at the Art Students League in New York, Chief Design Officer at ImageWork. Her career has included with legendary painter Hananiah Harari, later continuing a vast portfolio of designs on Rich Client, Web, Mobile and her studies with acclaimed portrait and landscape artist Responsive media for such platforms as Microsoft, Open Andrew Lattimore. Her work is shown regularly in galler- Source, Apple iOS and Google android. Kelly has a BS in Information Systems from Pace University. Kelly grew up continued on page 4 Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve Magazine Vol. XXXII Fall 2014 Page 3 The 13th Annual A raffle was part of the festivities for the day. The Friends Autumn Country Pace would like to thank the following individuals or businesses who donated items for our raffle: By Liz Meszaros, Administrative Director Aardvark Pet Supply, Pleasantville, NY Beech Hill Farm, Pleasantville, NY On Sunday, October 19, our 13th Annual Autumn Country Pace took place at Rockwood Hall, overlooking the mighty Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Sleepy Hollow, NY Hudson River. Our Pace committee, this year led by new Coffee Labs, Tarrytown, NY Pace Co-chairs Debbie Homer and Lynn Lucas, worked very Cornerstone Auto Repairs, Tarrytown, NY hard with the Preserve and Old Croton Aqueduct (OCA) Horse Connection, Bedford, NY staff to make this event go off without a hitch. A new course Mint Restaurant, Tarrytown, NY was mapped out which included beautiful vistas and many challenging jumps. Many volunteers, along with the staff Joanne Henry – Reiki Master Practitioner of the preserve and OCA worked together to ensure a safe Saddle Manor, Patterson, NY and beautiful course. Our trail signs were also revived by Sweet Grass Grill, Tarrytown, NY a group of volunteers with a new coat of paint donated by Tarry Tavern, Tarrytown, NY our friends at Berger Hardware. Twisted Bit Saddlery, Scarsdale, NY Our annual pace is a popular equestrian fundraiser that supports carriage road maintenance. This year, we were In addition our raffle, Friends Board Member Pat Jones -or once again pleased to welcome some more new riders as a ganized and welcomed some new vendors to our event, result of our collaboration with the Associated Bridle Trails who certainly added to the enjoyment and festivities of Association, which offers riders the opportunity not only the day: to compete in our pace, but in the Fall Pace Series. Many CM Ranch/Flying E Ranch riders expressed their pleasure with the length and beauty Diane Horton Photography of the new course this year and its many challenging jumps. Ellerslie Custom Horse Blankets & Clothing Afterwards, over 210 guests enjoyed a delicious feast under Patti Ettinger Artist the tent prepared by Turco’s of Yorktown and served by Margaret Monteforte. Pony’s Paradise Horse Rescue Saddle Manor Tack Shop We would like to thank our volunteers who arrived at 6:45 am to get ready for the first team out at 8:21 am as the sun Trophies and Ribbons to 10th place were awarded. (thankfully) made her appearance. This event is an enor- Congratulations to all of the winners! mous undertaking that would not be possible without the First Place winners were: 40 plus volunteers assigned on the trails, at the registration Pleasure Division: Juliet Faust and Linda Powell desk, the start and finish lines, the parking lot, the tent for set up, clean up, composting and selling raffles, and our Hunt Division: Sharon Yapoujian and Heather Dewey timing crew who arduously calculate the pace results. We Western Division: Katherine Clark and Bill Andrews sincerely thank all of our volunteers for their hard work Junior Division: Jessica Simonoff and Sonya Meberg and dedication to this event. The Friends Board would like to thank all who have joined We cannot forget our neighbors at New York Life Insurance us this year to support the preserve and its beautiful trails Company who graciously lend us their parking lot each and especially all of our volunteers who worked so hard to year.