2024 FESTIVAL LINE-UP
ART EXHIBITION
Paradise Lost: Bungalows & Opulence in the Borscht Belt Era
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Sat., July 27 & Sun., July 28
11 am - 5 pm
Hunt Memorial Building
2 Liberty St.
Closing Reception: Sunday, 6 - 7 pm
Fascinated by the glamour and mystique of a bygone era, photographer Isaac Jeffreys has meticulously documented over 75 historic Borscht Belt resorts across Sullivan and Ulster counties. Once vibrant social hubs that drew families en masse from the 1920s through the 1970s, many of the hotels and bungalow colonies have succumbed to the passage of time, while others have been repurposed as religious camps or meditation centers.
Jeffreys' distinctive approach transcends the contemporary, often melancholic state of many of these properties. Through his use of dramatic lighting and staging, he imbues his images with a sense of hope and imagination for an era he never experienced in its prime.
In this ephemeral exhibition, Jeffreys' photographs lead viewers through newly captured scenes of bungalow life in the mountains and journeys through majestic theaters at hotels like The Stevensville and The Nevele. The show includes a collection of rare artifacts and ephemera rescued from iconic establishments.
The gallery will also host the festival's official closing reception, on Sunday, July 29th, 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.. All are welcome. Refreshments provided by City Winery and Old World Provisions.