(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Where the Sky Opens, an exhibition of large scale mixed media paintings, works on paper and site specific installation by Tim Ebneth exploring and investigating Columbia County’s towns, villages, hamlets and overall landscape of beauty, opens in the Museum Room at the Pocketbook Factory on the corner of North 6th Street and Prospect Street on Friday, October 4, 2013, and runs through Sunday, October 13, 2013. There will be an artist’s reception on Saturday, October 12 from 6 to 8pm.

Ebneth, the winner of the 2012 Linda Arnaud Memorial Award, says the project has been a year-long exploration and investigation of Columbia County’s approximately 25 villages through photography, drawings, found objects and ephemera collected at the various locations in the villages and outlying landscape.

“The project came to mind remembering as a child driving through Columbia County with my family from the city and being captivated with the incredible beauty of the land and Catskill views. As a full-time resident in Columbia County now, I wanted to give back to the villages and hamlets a piece of the beauty and history that they have given to me first in memory and now as a daily reminder. The culmination of the project will result in large scale abstract mixed media paintings and works on paper incorporating these elements as well as the landscape.”

While growing up in New York City, Tim Ebneth’s art studies began in grammar school at the Art Students League and continued at Pratt Institute. Ebneth graduated as a Fine Art and Illustration Major from the School of Visual Arts.

Ebneth’s career as an artist began at the School of Visual Arts, illustrating and designing windows and installations for clients like Bergdorf Goodman, Gucci and Barneys. Ebneth also worked at Studio 54 during the heyday of disco, designing party interiors, props and lighting.

Tim Ebneth is a sought-after set designer and stylist for photo shoots, videos and commercials.  His professional work can be seen in Vanity Fair, O Magazine, the New York Times and in advertising campaigns for Hanes, Canon, Avon and Clairol.

Since moving his family to Kinderhook, N.Y., in Columbia County, his dream of being a full-time artist continues to flourish. The landscape of the Hudson River Valley, as well as being surrounded by the energy of nature, serve as a new-found and continuous inspiration for Ebneth’s drawing, painting and mixed media pieces.

Ebneth’s dream studio was created when he discovered a 150-year old barn and had it moved and reassembled on his property. The old barn was reminiscent of the one that served as Jackson Pollock’s studio in The Springs at East Hampton, N.Y.

It’s this space, with its panoramic view of the Catskill Mountains, ever-changing sunsets and endless vistas, that inspire his work and life.

Tim Ebneth’s work has been exhibited throughout Hudson, N.Y., at various galleries, Hudson Opera House, select juried exhibitions and in private collections.

Gallery hours are 1-6pm, or call for an appointment 917.721.8367.

The exhibition is in conjunction with the Columbia County Council on the Arts ArtsWalk. During CCCA’s Members’ Show Reception on Saturday October 12, the 2013 Linda Arnaud Memorial Award Recipient will be announced.