Nature and Sculpture Meet Along the Preserve Trail in Arkville
by Robert Brune
As one of the participating locations for Upstate Art Weekend, the Catskills Water
Discovery Center in Arkville offered visitors a chance to experience art beyond the walls of a
traditional gallery. Set against the backdrop of the center's nature preserve, the outdoor
installation invited guests to slow down, enjoy the landscape, and discover contemporary
sculpture along an easy walking trail.
Pleasant summer weather made for ideal conditions as visitors explored the well
maintained preserve behind the Catskills Water Discovery Center and the Catskills Watershed
Corporation building. The trail follows the floodplain beside the East Branch of the Delaware
River, where wetlands, native plants, wildlife, and centuries of local history create a peaceful
setting for an outdoor art experience.
Don Myers, who welcomed visitors at the Catskills Water Discovery Center, said
approximately 25 people attended the opening reception for the sculpture installation on
Saturday. He noted that the favorable weather contributed to a better than expected turnout. The
exhibition featured the work of two artists whose styles complemented one another while
offering distinctly different experiences.
Woodworker and sculptor Francis Cape presented Non-Native Chest, a handcrafted piece
made from Norway maple and Norway spruce trees that had been removed from the preserve.
Drawing inspiration from early nineteenth century furniture found in Delaware County, the chest
reflects the area's history while also telling a modern environmental story. Instead of traditional
decorative carvings, the front panels feature detailed images of invasive plant species, including
Japanese knotweed, Morrow's honeysuckle, and Norway maple. The result is both a beautifully
crafted piece of furniture and a thoughtful reminder of the ongoing work of conservation.
Nearby, Daniel Wiener's colorful sculptural furniture brought a playful energy to the trail.
His installation included a vibrant table accompanied by two sculpted stools, each formed from
layers of multicolored epoxy clay. The swirling patterns and organic shapes suggested everything
from woven textiles and polished stone to bursts of color found in nature.
While the pieces function as usable furniture, they are equally successful as sculptures.
Their bright colors and imaginative forms encouraged visitors of all ages to stop, examine the
details, and interact with the work in a way that feels natural within the outdoor setting.
Wiener's work explores the relationship between art and everyday life. Rather than
creating objects meant only for display, his tables and stools are intended to be gathering places
where people can sit, share conversations, celebrate milestones, or simply enjoy one another's
company. Placing those ideas within a nature preserve added another layer to the experience by
inviting visitors to connect with both art and the surrounding landscape.
The combination of Cape's finely crafted woodworking and Wiener's playful
contemporary designs demonstrated how different artistic approaches can coexist while
enhancing a shared environment. Together, the sculptures encouraged visitors to appreciate
craftsmanship, creativity, and the natural beauty of the northern Catskills.
By participating in Upstate Art Weekend, the Catskills Water Discovery Center created
an experience that blended conservation, history, and contemporary art into a relaxing walk
through one of Delaware County's scenic natural spaces. It was a refreshing reminder that
meaningful art can be discovered far beyond the traditional gallery walls.
Daniel Weiner Furniture
