What is the best way to beat the August city  heat? Get out!

Join RAC upstate in the scenic hamlet of Wassaic for a weekend of FREE arts events, including concerts, dance performances and exhibitions from the artists in residence.

By Erin

Watch a video about the festival

This project is particularly close to my heart because I grew up five minutes from Wassaic in a similarly sweet town across the boarder in Connecticut. This festival provides the perfect combination of quaint weekend getaway to a quiet town and city-quality culture and entertainment. I personally am looking forward to breathing fresh air, feeling clean grass under my feet, seeing more than one star in the night sky, feeling the breeze coming off of the Housatonic River, and hearing crickets as I sleep instead of honking and break sounds; not to mention seeing the amazing exhibits put together by this year’s residents.

There are three exhibitions curated this year; Return to Rattlesnake Mountain, Liesure Work, and Clean Up. Both promising cutting edge contemporary pieces, interactions with the artists and family friendly content and activities. There is also a full line up of concerts and performances. Just a hour and a half on the metro north will bring you within walking distance to this festival in downtown Wassaic.

The following Recession Art Shows artists participated in the residency program at Wassaic; Paloma Crousillat, Ashley May, Danny Ghitis, Celia Tobin, Danielle Scruggs, Ian Trask, Johanna Povirk-Znoy, Megan Berk, Alison Wilder.

Ashley May and Ian Trask will take part in the Return to Rattlesnake Mountain Exhibit.

As a former resident of this magical corner of the world, here is some advice for how to experience Wassaic like a local, and great places to stay.

If you are planning on taking a car for the weekend I recommend staying in the town of Millerton. Literally down the road from Wassaic, this quaint town holds its own attractions; such as movies for under ten dollars, an old fashioned diner, boutiques and antique shops. It also has many great restaurants ( by many I mean like five) and two cute inns; Millbrook Country House, and Simmon’s Way Village Inn. I particularly recommend Simmons Way as a former employee of this main street location. I also recommend that in between a morning of exhibitions and an evening of concerts at the Wassaic project, that you relax by spending the afternoon wine tasting at you spend an afternoon wine tasting at Millbrook Vineyards and Winery.

I also recommend taking a short scenic drive over to Kent CT, and picnicking at the Kent Falls. Pick up some sandwiches at The Villager, a Kent staple establishment (if you extend your weekend to a Tuesday night, this diner turns into a truly authentic Mexican restaurant one night a week, but plan ahead because it is the only time you’ll need a reservation in this one stop light town!)