Roxbury Arts Group Celebrates Expanding Creative Opportunities

by Robert Brune

On this Mother’s Day weekend, the northern Catskills were finally spared from the snow showers that had lingered through the previous two weekends. Inside the Roxbury Arts Group, the atmosphere carried the warmth and excitement of a community celebrating one another through creativity, perseverance, and public support for the arts.

The Roxbury Arts Group Annual Grants Awards Ceremony marked a major moment for Delaware County artists and organizations receiving funding through the New York State Council on the Arts. For years, delayed funding cycles caused frustration for both artists and administrators. This year, however, Creative Opportunities Coordinator Ursula Hudak stood before the audience with checks already prepared and ready to distribute as each grantee was announced.

The projects funded through the grant program are required to take place in public settings where residents can directly experience the work through performances, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, readings, or community gatherings. The breadth of projects this year reflected the growing artistic momentum across Delaware County and the northern Catskills, spanning photography, mural work, musical composition, literature, film, and multidisciplinary exhibitions.

This year, 92 applications were reviewed through a process designed to ensure fairness and thoughtful evaluation for every applicant. Now celebrating its 40th year, the Delaware County Arts Grant has expanded dramatically from $80,000 in available funding to $175,000 supporting local artists and organizations. Thirty-seven artists and groups ultimately received grants this cycle, making it one of the largest and most competitive years in the history of the program.

Hudak, who manages nearly every aspect of the Delaware County Arts Grant program, was repeatedly acknowledged throughout the ceremony for her role in guiding artists through the process. From technical assistance and outreach to compliance, review coordination, and ongoing support for awardees, her presence has become central to the growth of the program.  “It’s so nice to see some of you today that I’ve only ever emailed with,” Hudak told attendees during her remarks. “For those of you who do not know me, my name is Ursula Hudak, and I am the Creative Opportunities Coordinator of the Roxbury Arts Group.”

Hudak explained that while she oversees multiple responsibilities at Roxbury Arts Group, including gallery exhibitions and arts education programming in regional schools, the Delaware County Arts Grant remains one of the organization’s most important missions. “We consider this grant a major part of our mission to bring art to the Catskills and enrich our communities,” Hudak said. “We are proud to be the first grant that many artists and organizations apply to.”

One of the most heartfelt moments of the afternoon came as Hudak reflected on first-time applicants who doubted whether their projects were worthy of submission. “A lot of them reached out to me and said, ‘I don’t know, I have an idea. I’m not sure if it will work,’” Hudak said. “It’s really a joy to be that person that’s in the corner saying, ‘Yeah, you have it. You have what it takes.’  Hudak also reflected on the growth of the program since arriving in 2023.“When I came to this position in 2023, we only had $80,000 to give out,” she said. “Now we have $175,000, and I think that really speaks to how far this program has come.”

Among the many projects awarded funding was “Center of the World” by Delaware County photographer Aldo Gonzalez. The project will explore small-town life through street photography, culminating in a public exhibition, artist talks, and a locally distributed photo zine. Gonzalez explained that while street photography is often associated with major cities, he wanted to focus his lens on the rural communities that shape Delaware County life. “One of the biggest things that I’ve always done was street photography,” Gonzalez said. “But we live here, and this is our community. So I want to do something with our community.”

The collaborative comedy project “Wired & Tired” from Marisa Caruso and Broadway veteran Garth Kravits also drew enthusiasm from attendees. Their upcoming production promises absurdist comedy, satire, live performance, and video shorts centered around the anxieties and contradictions of modern life. Caruso emphasized comedy’s role in bringing people together during difficult times.  “We can all bond over making fun of the rich and powerful together,” Caruso joked to laughter from the audience.

One of the most ambitious collaborative exhibitions highlighted during the ceremony was “Women Under the Influence: Cross Currents and Inspirations,” featuring the Catskills Art Circle. Formed in early 2025, the collective includes ten women artists working across painting, fiber, collage, sculpture, and natural materials. Their exhibition examines artistic influence, dialogue, and creative growth through regular group discussions centered on major artists and movements ranging from Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting to installation art and environmental practices.

The exhibition also reflects the growing influence of women artists, curators, and gallery owners throughout the Catskills arts resurgence. While rooted in the region’s longstanding artistic traditions, the project demonstrates how smaller rural communities continue generating new creative conversations far from larger metropolitan art centers.

Several funded projects had already begun prior to the awards ceremony itself, including Mihoko Suzuki’s “Ciné Sonica: 2026” at Bushel Collective in Delhi. The project pairs classic film screenings with live musical accompaniment, continuing an increasingly popular experimental cinema series within the region.

Other awardees included Keiko Howard’s community mural project in Sidney, Ryan’s short film “Breathe” exploring anxiety and mental health, Lauren Darr’s mindfulness-inspired jazz compositions, and Jim Hardy’s portrait and narrative series examining gender expression and identity within rural communities.

Throughout the ceremony, one recurring theme remained clear: these grants are not simply funding isolated projects. They are strengthening artistic infrastructure and encouraging community participation throughout Delaware County. With the arts economy being such a vital aspect of attracting tourism to this region, it cannot be understated as to how significant a role RAG plays in making Delaware County a destination for both artists and those that appreciate the creative magic created in these valleys and mountains.

As artists gathered afterward exchanging congratulations, discussing future exhibitions, and introducing themselves to one another, the afternoon reflected the deeper purpose behind the program itself. Beyond the grants and awards, the Roxbury Arts Group continues helping cultivate a regional creative network where artists feel supported, visible, and connected to the communities around them.