Bannerman Island by E.Virginia Donovan

   On August 12, 2006, a group of artists had a fabulous time painting on Bannerman Island.  It was a perfect day: a little warm, a little breezy, the castle glowed, the sky was a glorious blue.  A call for artists for a juried paintout attracted artists from Brooklyn, Long Island, Monroe, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.  Artists painted while on-island tours were conducted around them.  They painted the Tower, the Residence, Twin Towers, the River, etc.  It was a day they will remember for the rest of their lives. Artists participating in this event were:  Lee Haber, Brad Marshall, Walter Mosely, Linda Richichi, Mary Mugele Sealfon, Stephanie Koslow, Paul Bachem and Virginia Donovan.  The outing was organized by Virginia Donovan. This paintout was a prelude to a Silent Auction to benefit the restoration and stabilization activities on Bannerman Island.  The auction will be held on October 14 at a benefit dinner at Torches Restaurant in Newburgh.  The paintings from this event and also provided by other area artists will be on display for early bidding at Bannerman Island Gallery, 150 Main Street in Beacon, NY, from September 29 - October 13.  For information about the Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, contact Neil Caplan at 845-234-3204. Tours are made possible under a special arrangement with The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, through Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc., a "Friends organization" working with NYS Parks.  Bannerman tours are available on weekends through October, departing from Newburgh and Beacon.  For information on the tours, call Lynne Kirschoffer of Hudson River Adventures at 845-220-2120.