Garner Arts Center to Present Two Major Exhibitions Through April 26th

Garner Arts Center will present two major exhibitions opening Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.: Forest for the Trees by interdisciplinary artist Lisa Karrer and Not Out of the Woods Yet by painter and sculptor Bill Hochhausen. The exhibitions will run through April 26 in Building 35 at the Garner Arts Center.

Forest for the Trees, developed specifically for the Ned Harris Gallery, is a community-based immersive installation created by Karrer. The exhibit features a moving forest of hand-painted ceramic trees, large-scale wall projections, audio narratives, and green screen video scenarios featuring more than 45 Rockland County residents and participants from around the world.

Upon entering the gallery, visitors encounter a miniature forest of ceramic trees revolving in slow motion on a motorized platen fabricated by kinetic artist Gregory Barsamian. The moving forms also appear as large-scale projections on the gallery walls, creating meditative, ever-changing perspectives.

An original audio soundtrack presents personal narratives about trees, supported by composer and instrumentalist David Simons’ wood percussion score, Karrer’s vocal interpretations from the Great American Songbook, and selected field recordings. Video installations explore magical realism and timeless myths, depicting human figures interacting with natural environments.

Through its multi-media elements, Forest for the Trees examines humanity’s relationship with trees and their critical role in sustaining the planet, while encouraging environmental awareness and local engagement.

In the Main Gallery of Building 35, Hochhausen will present Not Out of the Woods Yet, featuring paintings and sculptures from his extensive career. Inspired by the Hudson River landscape and decades of artistic practice, his work reflects a lifelong engagement with trees, light, and topography.

The two exhibits meet in the middle corridor with a series of Hochhausen's plein-air landscapes to make the transition between exhibits. Karrer and Hochhausen have collaborated on each other’s projects for nearly 20 years and are presenting their exhibitions in tandem. Both artists are residents and advocates of Rockland County’s arts community, and their shared affinity for trees serves as the conceptual bridge between their works.

School and community groups are invited to schedule special tours with the artist or curator. High-resolution images and interviews are available upon request. Please call (845) 947-7108 for more information or email info@garnerartscenter.org.

The exhibitions will be on view from March 14 through April 26. Gallery hours are Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Garner Arts Center is located at 55 West Railroad Avenue in Garnerville. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Joe Fusaro at joe@garnerartscenter.org or call (845) 947-7108.