The Barryville Area Arts Association always manages to have the most fascinating spin on their exhibits which are informative and fun. On Saturday, August 19th from 10-4pm the Association will be sponsoring a community clothing swap. I bet many of us have a whole bunch of unused and unloved clothing around and you can bring your nice clothing which for whatever reason you no longer wear and swap it out with other community members and help the environment- all for free. This is happening as part of their current exhibit “History of Sustainable Fashion. If this summer has taught us anything it is that our worldwide climate is changing right before our eyes due to pollution. Despite the fashion industry’s claims of progress most clothing is still produced under inhumane working conditions and badly pollutes the environment using non-biodegradable chemical-based synthetic that ends up in landfills. As an example, a polyester shirt has twice the carbon footprint than a cotton shirt. Clothing swaps allow for more usage and help combat these harmful systems. With prices for everything going through the roof, finding free new-to-you clothes is a big deal. Swaps help extend the wearability of clothing and decreases the amount of textile waste in landfills and lowers industry production which reduces pollution. The fashion industry accounts for eight percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions making it the third highest polluting industry on the planet. The free community clothing swap and the exhibit will take place at The Artist Market, 114 Richardson Avenue, (second Floor) in Shohola. 

The Association will have their usual complimentary refreshments during the swap and the exhibit. The event is free and pre-registration is requested. You can email barryvilleareaarts@gmail.com to register. For more information go to their website barryvilleareaarts.org.

Following a growing trend in community get-togethers, St Anthony’s Church in Yulan is hosting a Sip and Paint Party in the Parish Community Center. A Sip and Paint is part exploring your creativity, hanging out with friends, and partaking of a sip or two of wine and other refreshment. With the assistance of an artist everyone gets a small pre-stretch canvas and painting supplies and creates a small painting-hopefully suitable for framing! The artist offers technical support and encouragement while your one-of-a-kind masterpiece is being created. As additional encouragement each attendees get two glasses of wine and an array of light refreshments. The Sip and Paint event is a fundraiser for St. Anthony’s Church’s Rosary/Altar Society. The date of the Sip and Paint is Friday, August 25th starting at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm) and tickets are $35.00. To buy tickets call Barbara at (845)-557-3593. 

I had a wonder afternoon at the Sullivan Public’s Second Sunday Event. Sullivan Public is behind the Sunshine Hall Free Library at the site of the old highway garage. It has been beautifully transformed into a Pottery Studio by Jessie Lazar, and it’s a huge and now a very comfortable space. During the week there are all sorts of classes available for kids and adults. On the second Sunday of each month, it becomes a fantastic hub for all sorts of interesting vendors. This past Sunday there were vendors with fresh flowers, a guy with hundreds of vinyl records, Jessie Lazar’s lovely pottery, handmade glass, textiles, vintage, and new clothing. There are comfy couches and chairs for hanging out. For beverages there was Forthright Cyders, Bibimus Korean food and homemade samosas. There are picnic tables and music and every kid in town has a field day running all over the place. Definitely one of my favorite events!  Give it a try! For upcoming class information go to www.sullivanpublic.com.