Above photo: David Slutsky
Patti Ferrara
WINDHAM — Windham Arts Alliance is excited to present the first art show of 2026 in collaboration with the Main Street Community Center. Valentine’s Day seems the perfect time to celebrate three people who share their love and efforts with others. So, this year we are honoring Patti Ferrara, Peter Preston, and David Slutzky for their contributions to the community. As artists, they each share their own perspective and approach to art.
David Slutzky’s family has lived in the area for generations. He is a lifelong artist and served as President of the Board of Greene County Council on the Arts (now known as CREATE Council on the Arts) for more than 40 years. If you see a man walking around wearing a black cowboy hat with a big smile on his face - that’s David. As one of the former owners of Hunter Mountain he used to introduce himself as a snowmaker. He has compiled an amazing collection of photography featuring the colors of sunrises and sunsets refracted in the mist of the snowmaking process. Sharing a story that relates to family, work and art, David talks about a time many years ago when he was up on the slopes and the sun rose over the mountains in the distance and the light refracted in the mist that was created with his snow-making machine to form the most indescribably brilliant scene. But he didn’t have his camera with him. So he took note of the conditions of that day and waited for the right time to return to the same spot and blow snow as the sun was rising, in the hope of capturing it on camera. It took 3 years! He recalls leading his father on the mini-expedition and his father kept asking, “What are we doing here?” thinking they already had enough snow on that slope. David just kept reassuring him saying, “We need to do this.” He got the shot and calls it a “Snowmaking on the Milkyway.” David says, “My sunrises with snowmaking pieces are reminiscent of impressionist paintings, the way the sun refracts off a mist of snow that wisps through the air as the surrounding landscape is suffused with an ever-changing haze of colors to present a sort of natural canvas upon which the photographer-snowmaker captures beauty in a moment of synchronicity between man, machine and nature.” His treatment of sunlight, contrast and shadows creates a chiaroscuro effect that he learned to appreciate during his early days as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. David is not only a photographer but is also involved in other medium including illustrations and sketches as well as various forms of three-dimensional construction
Patti Ferrara, is a multimedia artist who lives in Kiskatom New York. She says that she doesn’t let her art stand still! Sheila Trautman says, “I have known her for years and am constantly amazed at how many mediums and styles she has mastered. Her work spans the gamut from Hudson River School style works to abstract sketches, prints, and paintings.” She has been living in the land of Rip Van Winkle and the home of the artist Thomas Cole since childhood. Her work is influenced by the natural beauty of her Catskill Mountain surroundings. She says, “Working with oil paints, I’ve learned the traditional “Old Masters” technique, and the Hudson River School of Art painting ways from my mentor, the late Thomas Locker. He gave me the gift of seeing burnt sienna in the clouds.” She is able to observe and create works that touch the soul while translating the scenes around her into dramatic works of art. The desire to share her understanding of the Hudson River School has led her to explore many trails in the Catskills that famous artists have painted before her. If you have walked along the Hudson River School of Art Trails, you have probably seen the rubbing medallions and site markers she designed to share this knowledge with all who adventure near these famous sites.
She is a free spirit, which is beautifully expressed in the variety of her work.
From mini monotypes to museum murals, her curiosity to explore different mediums and techniques is never ending. Patti Ferrara is a noted artist who has shown her work locally and in the Hudson Valley. She also teaches art at a retreat at Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. This exhibit will feature oils, watercolors, monotypes, alcohol inks, and colored pencil, just a taste of Ferrara’s art world. She explains, “It’s rewarding to produce a successful plein- air painting along the trail or to create a group of monotypes back at the studio. Usually very detailed, the Hudson River school of art style oil paintings on panel gives a very different feeling and process compared to creating paintings using alcohol inks, and a non-porous paper. It’s a loose exciting process that gives the artist a great freedom of expression. It can be controllable with practice, but sometimes it’s more successful and fun just creating out of one’s mind and let the inks flow!” Patti continues, “Working in pen and colored pencils, ‘My People’ as I call them, are sometimes taken from real situations. I start with a line or two in pencil and end up with creations that make people smile!” A born artist, Patti happily continues on her art journey. Patti is happy to be exhibiting her work through the Windham Art Alliance and gives thanks to all who make this possible.
Rounding out the Triad Fusion Show is another multitalented member of the artist community, Peter Preston. If you have ever attended one of the Maude Adams Theater Hub Shows at the Doctorow Theater in Hunter you have seen Pete’s wonderful stage sets. Windham Arts alliance first heard of him through these productions and were thrilled to learn that he was also a fine artist. Sheila was impressed by the rich colors and mood of his pastels and is excited that he agreed to be part of the Fusion show. Pete Preston lives in Haines Falls, NY. He explains that, “Working in wood and on art paper have been integral to my life. My fine art mediums include pencil, charcoal, ink and pastels, The pastel paintings that you will see in the Triad Fusion Art Show are dominated by strong, vibrant colors because I consider not only what I want to create, but also what the viewer will see as interesting - even striking - and hopefully memorable.” He describes the medium of pastel when he writes, “I work in soft pastels. Soft pastels are made from dry oil pigments that are formed into soft sticks. The colors are many and varied and often very vibrant. The sticks are held in the fingers, so fingers are quickly covered in oil pigment. As such, there’s a tactile quality to pastel painting that is part of its allure. Also appealing is a fabulous immediacy possible as large areas of paper can be quickly colored to produce art that is expressive through quick, but thoughtful, application. Finer details are then painted in. You will see the deliberate marks that are made in some of my paintings while others will show either careful blending or “scumbling” which is the light application of one color over another where both colors are visible.” As Peter says, “I produced three little series of landscape paintings for the exhibit, plus three one-offs that I wanted to display.” There are three series: an Adirondack, a Sonoran Desert, and a Local Catskill. Also included in the show are the one-off pieces, including a large portrait on plywood from the set of Bell, Book and Candle that was produced last February by Maude Adams Theater Hub. The second is a small study of a man pounding nails for a larger work that appeared at the Twilight Park exhibit last year.
WAA is excited to have The Song Birds perform at the opening. They are a group of 9 talented singers under the direction of Linda Nicholls. For over ten years these talented ladies have performed for private events, benefits, Mountaintop community events and in surrounding areas to standing room only audiences. Their repertoire includes a variety of music that includes Broadway tunes, folk music, Doo Wop, Standards, Holiday, Patriotic etc. Keeping to the theme of Valentines Day they will be performing love songs. Their voices are exceptional and their harmonies are beautiful!! Their music is so much fun that you just want to sing along. We're excited to sing some of your favorite tunes! Please join in the celebration!
This show is special as it touches on so many aspects of art. Each artist has a unique quality and interest that they want to share. The Triad Fusion Show is a one-of-a-kind exhibit that we are proud to display at the Main Street Community Center. This collaboration is an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience the diversity of talents and works presented. Please join us, meet and talk to the artists, and enjoy refreshments on February 14th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The exhibit will take place at the Main Street Community Center, 5494 Main Street (SR 23), Windham, NY.
Early morning in the Adirondacks. Soft pastels. 14" x 11". Peter Preston
Portrait for The Guide
