Originally founded by the Stevens Family, Hudson River Valley Art Workshops (HRVAW) began welcoming painters and instructors from around the world for summer art workshops and retreats in 1982. When current owners, Kim & Mark LaPolla, took over the business in 2005, they not only expanded the season, but introduced art quilt and fiber art workshops to the region as well.
Located in the Hudson River Valley Region of Upstate New York, our guests experience the beautiful seasons, mountain & river views, and stunning sunsets which inspired the eponymous school of painting by Thomas Cole in the 1825. Our six acres of gardens, lawns, and woods offer a taste of the scenery in the area just outside your window and is also well suited for plein air painting on site!
Workshops are hosted from March through December of each year, with instructors from around the world, and include everything from traditional painting techniques to mixed media abstract art to a wide range of fiber and art quilt options. Depending on the individual workshop, class sizes average around 15 students. Formal workshop instruction is typically from 9AM-4PM each day.
About The Studio
Our 1,000 square foot art studio is found in the remodeled Carriage House, which was originally built to house William S. Vanderbilt’s carriage and horses. Climate controlled with both heat and air conditioning, the studio is open for use 24 hours a day – so you can continue to work into the wee hours of the morning if you’d like. In the studio you’ll find; indoor easels, a 24″ x 18″ light box, an in-studio sink, a library of inspirational art and fiber art books, as well as ledges and wires on which to display your work. For fiber artists, we also have irons, ironing boards, and foam core design wall boards. A limited number of sewing machines are also available to rent by the day.
In most workshops, each student will have a six (6) foot work table which are 29″ high. Risers are available if you need a higher surface. Comfortable office chairs with wheels, padded, and adjustable back and seat are available as well as folding chairs.
About The On-Site Shop
Inside the Main Inn, we also host the only independently run art supply shop in Greene County. Open year-round we stock a variety of products including watercolors, oil paints, acrylic paints (both heavy body and fluid), pastels, Gessobords, Pastelbords, canvas, thinners, Golden mediums, watercolor paper, and much more. Not to worry fiber artists, we have you covered too with threads, fabric bundles, tools, and plenty of notions. If you have a hard time finding a particular product for a workshop, with advance notice, we are happy to try to find it for you and have it available when you arrive at the workshop.
Also found in our shop is our house-made Life by Chocolates line of confections including bars, bark, toffee, truffles, cordials, and more. As well as small gift items such as mugs, t-shirts, cards, and other locally handmade items.