Press

The Independent - Friday, August 1, 2008 :: From the frozen South
Antarctica IV (oil, encaustic, and graphite on canvas) is one of the several large -scale paintings by New York artist Victor Matthews on view through September 1 at Olivia on Warren, a new art gallery at 435 Warren Street in Hudson. The gallery is also showing silver gelatin prints by Brian Branigan and handcrafted jewelry by Allison Culbertson.

Register Star - Thursday, July 24, 2008 :: Olivia on Warren opens in city by Christine D'Agostino

The search for a small studio space in Catskill evolved into something more for Brian Branigan and Allison Culbertson and the end result of this evolution is Hudson's newest gallery, Olivia on Warren.

"It's a metamorphisis," Branigansaid of the couple's new space at 435 Warren St. "It's been telling us what to do."

After being unable to find a location in Catskill, where they currently reside, the pair decided to look in Hudson. "We went from a studio concept to a retail concept," Branigan explained; Culbertson designs jewelry that they're planning to sell.

"We renovated it and it just became this beautiful space," he continued. It was then that the idea dawned on them to also utilize their new space as a gallery.

"We're a gallery," Branigan said. "But we sell jewelry." The display cases are custom made by Branigan. Custom made tables, benches and display cases will also be available for sale.

Olivia on Warren's grand opening event will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday and will feature artist Victor Matthews' series, "Antarctica Paintings." The works are encaustic on Linen and graphite pastel on paper.

"My goal was to make a good first impression," Branigan said, adding that Matthews' participationin the grand opening is "exceeding my expectations."

Matthews is from New York City's modern art scene and his mentors include such well-knowns as Francesco Clemente and Brice Marden.

"It is only my 20-year relationship with the artist and some good timing that I am privileged to have Victor as our first show at the grand opening of Olivia on Warren," Branigan wrote in a released statement.

Also featured at the grand opening will be "Beauty in the otherwise ordinary," a collection of silver gelatin prints by Branigan, and "Inspired by nature," handcrafted jewelry by Cubertson.

Additionally, Matthews will be in attendence at Saturday's event. "With the good first impression this has become, it is going to be a really hard act to follow," Branigan said.

Olivia on Warren will seek to bring more attention in this region to rising New York City artists, since may other local galleries feature local artists.

"We're going to be very involved in the cultivaion of new artists," he said.

The gallery will also be open noon to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 6 p.m. Monday.

Olivia on Warren seems to bring everything full circle for the pair, Branigan explained. Ten years ago, he and Culbertson were partners at the first multi-media lounge bar in New York City. This soon became the only venue where local fimmakers could show their creations.

After eight years, they sold the business and ended up in a house by the river in New Baltimore; six months ago they moved to Catskill.

"We're just so happy to be in Hudson now," Branigan said. "It's so refreshing."

"We are thrilled to be opening a space in Hudson," Culbertson said. "It's a best of both worlds scenerio, living in Catskill and having a space in Hudson."

All the renovation and woodworking at the new space was done by Branigan, while Culbertson painted the exterior of the building. "It's been a ride," Branigan said.

The duo has a Web design and print business, Hudson Design, and they also spent a year successfully redesigning and restructuring the Stewart House in Athens.

In the end, "the owner gave us more responsibility than we wanted," Branigan said, "[so] here we are, back to our roots, doing what we do."

The name Olivia on Warren comes from a nickname long ago given to Culbertson by Branigan, as well as another obvious inspiration: Warren Street in Hudson.

"Warren Street is special," Branigan said. "We're doing a nod to Warren Street by including it in the name."

For more information, call 518-828-0004, or visit www.oliviaonwarren.com. For more information on Culbertson's handcrafted jewelry, visit www.ruthbeattie.com

Olivia on Warren's normal hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m Thursday through Monday, as well as by special appointment.