Catskills Arts & Culture

From Thomas Cole's first brush strokes to the founding of the Hudson River School of Art, the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County have played muse to artists, poets, sculptures, writers and photographers for centuries. The rugged cloves and plunging waterfalls captivated painters and authors alike with their untamed majesty.

This summer, experience the beauty of the Catskills' and the mythical lore of the Emerald Isle with festivals celebrating the arts, music and more.

Hudson River School Art Trail

Hike the Hudson River School Art Trail this summer, and experience the landscapes made famous by painters such as Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt over a century ago. At each of the first eight sites along the trail, a special metal plaque with a rubbing medallion allows visitors to do a pencil rubbing as a keepsake. Complete the eight rubbings and present them to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill for a certificate of completion and a chance to win a weekend getaway in the Catskills.

Irish Cultural Events

Visit the "Emerald Isle of the Catskills," where the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre keeps the Irish and Irish-American culture alive and thriving in the Catskills. This summer, join in the revelry during the center's Irish Arts Week, East Durham Irish Feis and the East Durham Irish Festival, a celebration of traditional arts and music straight from Ireland.

Mainly Greene and More

New to the Catskills' art scene is the Mainly Greene: The Arts On and Off Main Street, a revolutionary new project where the arts serve as a catalyst for business development in the Great Northern Catskills. Partners include the Greene County Council on the Arts, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Prattsville Art Workshops & Residencies, as well as the Zadock Pratt Museum.

Greene County Council on the Arts, located in Catskill, offers another layer of artistic support to artists in the Hudson Valley, providing gallery space and workshops, as well as acting as a chamber of commerce for area artists.

From Washington Irving's classic tale of Rip Van Winkle, to the indelible and wholly original carvings of Pratt's Rock – the Catskill Mountains are a haven for the artist in everyone and an invitation to awaken to adventure!