Cuban Folk Art

Originally uploaded by julio.miyares.

I had previously posted a blog entry about the renowned Cuban Folk Artist Maria Victoria de Bernard. She is one of the many artists that have come to Columbia County, New York in the past few years and set up shop in this idyllic rural community about 120 miles north of New York City. The reasons for the influx are as varied as the individual artists therefore I won’t try to posit a one size fits all explanation. Well, I can’t resist listing at least one reason! Perhaps its the fact when you are here, you actually have a sense of where you are. It is not a cookie cutter assemblege of strip malls, franchise store fronts, tract housing with similar looking McMansions for the want to appear rich but soon to be poor, Hummers etc.
Mind you , it takes major effort and commitment from the concerned citizens of Columbia County to keep it this way and the new residents of this community , with their unique esthetic are championing this effort.
Ms de Bernard, has agreed to post regular blog entries on a weekly basis called appropriately enough “Voice of the Columbia County Artist”. That is her title not mine. I will give her total editorial freedom which is not something she was used to in Cuba, her birthplace where she lived until she immigrated 10 years ago.

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