The Hudson Valley was the focal point of a storm system that rolled through upstate New York last weekend, bringing high levels of flash flooding to several counties. Houses and buildings have been washed away from their foundations, roads and paths destroyed or made inaccessible, and there are at least a person declared dead. Just a few weeks before the next Upstate Arts Weekendsome arts spaces in the Hudson Valley have reported damage and schedule interference due to extreme weather.
Storm King Art Center near New Windsor was farm to ticket holders on Monday, July 10, citing safety concerns due to road conditions. The 500-acre outdoor sculpture park reported no significant damage. The art center offered to reschedule admissions for those who had reserved tickets.
Manitoba, home of Russell Wright Design Center and a 75-acre woodland garden in Garrison, suffered extensive damage to its pathways and landscape features. Vivian Linares, a spokesperson for the center, said Hyperallergic that Monday trail tours were canceled due to “extensive damage to our grounds.”
“North Drive, our main route to historic buildings, was washed out and we lost a beloved landscape feature known as the Beach Room at the bottom of a waterfall amid much more damage,” Linares said, adding that no damage was done to the Wright House and Studio. “We had recently completed the ambitious restoration of the 30ft waterfall, so it is devastating.”
Manitoba, designated as National Historic Landmarknow faces significant restoration costs, as damaged areas are not covered by insurance.
“We will seek funds from all available sources to help cover the costs. And of course donations are welcome,” Linares said. The ground will reopen for visits this Friday with a modified map to avoid damaged areas.
Although no damage was reported to Kinosaito Arts Center in Verplanck, manager Michael Barraco mentioned that several employees reported transit difficulties on Sunday due to “incredibly dangerous conditions” and said he “felt unsafe” during his short drive to a neighboring city. “Local authorities were obviously overwhelmed and unable to resolve all issues in time to steer the public appropriately,” he concluded.
