Artist to launch Beacon project

By Maeleeke J. Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- As pieces of the Beacon Cultural Project come together, residents are invited Tuesday to join in a special presentation and discussion at The Beacon Project Space building on Main Street.

The Beacon Cultural Project is a collaborative effort of the Beacon school district, city government and other officials to broaden the city's connection with the art world.

''There are so many cultural activities that will be coming to Beacon, it's wonderful to feel that everyone ... will get into the whole thing and enjoy it,'' said William Ehrlich, a New York City-based real estate developer and art collector who initiated the Beacon Cultural Project.

On Tuesday, The Beacon Project Space welcomes artist Carrie Mae Weems, the first in a series of artists whose work will be displayed in the building.

Weems received her bachelor of arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts and her master's in fine arts from the University of California. She's participated in group and one-person exhibitions across the country and overseas. Weems has also been a visiting professor at Harvard University and Williams College in Massachusetts.

A year of interaction

Weems will be part of a one-year residency, sponsored by Ehrlich, during which she will interact with the community. She will produce a summation of her experiences and a multimedia presentation that will be displayed in The Beacon Project Space. Weems will work out of The Record Shop, two doors down from The Beacon Project Space.

On Tuesday, she will share a slide presentation as an introduction to her exhibition and give background about herself and the work she'll be doing.

''Carrie Mae Weems is an extremely talented woman and a unique artist in that her works are in the realm of almost social anthropology, if you will,'' Ehrlich said. ''She's very insightful ... and has a very poignant and interesting approach.''

Weems' work will be the first in a series of projects, said Sara Pasti, deputy director of The Beacon Project Space.

''The Beacon Project Space is a space that will feature rotating exhibitions, conversations and performances,'' Pasti said.

Some of Weems' work featured during Tuesday's presentation will be on display through Dec. 1. The community will also get the chance to meet with David Ross, executive director of the project.

The evening's events and The Beacon Project Space, Pasti said, will serve as a ''gathering for people in Beacon interested in contemporary culture. It's a very exciting time in Beacon.''