The Artists and the Driftwood Sculptures

Barbara Hunt and Jeanne D. Shaw, artists and co-founders of the new Riverdrifters Gallery in Croton Point Park, hosted a phenomenal program for young and old on the beach at Croton Point Park, on Saturday, April 5.

Barbara and Jeanne wanted to offer the community an opportunity to connect with the earth, a stranger, and the artist within. They achieved their goals and more.

On Saturday starting around 11:00 AM people began showing up on the beach. The directions were simple, make art using only what you can find here on the beach, later to be recycled appropriately. After you make your art you must connect it to someone else’s art.

By 4:00 PM the beach was covered in fairy huts, horse barns, ships, there was even a horse ready to take jump. Each piece of art was not only connected to the next but it connected to the Hudson River as well.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to see that creativity can happen anywhere and you can make art out of anything,” said Debra Schor who attended the program with her children. “We are very lucky to have artists like Barbara and Gene willing to share their talents and energy with the community,” said Kathy Smith whose children were bouncing up and down on a see-saw they made out of driftwood found on the beach.

Barbara Hunt and Jeanne D. Shaw are the co-founders of the Riverdrifters Gallery located right in Croton Point Park. “Their gallery is a beautiful gem tucked into incredible surroundings that the artists incorporate into their artwork every day,” said Philip Grunes, a Croton resident who visits the gallery with his children often.

The Riverdrifters Gallery is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additionally, Barbara and Jeanne will host a grand opening and reception on Saturday, May 10, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, featuring the Nimham Mountain Singers. There will be a dedication, a drumming circle, a history of the Eastern Woodland Indians, and a celebration of Mother Earth. All are welcome for this—an event you won’t want to miss. For more information about the gallery, please call 914-357-0547.

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