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Peekskill Pop Up Store Delights Art Lovers

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Since opening her pop up gallery in Peekskill last summer, Cortlandt resident Susan Obrent has received raves from art lovers throughout the region, including a former governor.

Susan Obrant, in front of her clothes at her gallery in Peekskill.

Susan Obrant, in front of her clothes at her gallery in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
One of Susan Obrant's pieces, Serious Art Discussion.

One of Susan Obrant's pieces, Serious Art Discussion.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Susan Obrant

The Susan Obrant Gallery is at 32 N. Division St. in Peekskill and features clothes, paintings and prints. Obrant opened up her pop-up shop on the recommendation of Louie Lanza of the Hudson Room.

"Peekskill is in the midst of this downtown renaissance," Obrant said. "And they didn't want to see an empty building."

The store was originally supposed to just run through the summer but has kept getting extended.

"People just love us here," Obrant said.

The gallery is convenient for Obrant, as it's only five minutes from her Cortlandt Manor home where she also sells artwork.

"It's so wonderful to have my art on the wall," Obrant said. 

Obrant's work has been shown in galleries and museums around the world including in Venezuela. 

"I'm respectful of everything that came before me," Obrant said. "I feed it through my intellect and imagination."

Before she opened the gallery, Obrant was an illustrator with her drawings featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine while she was still in school.

"The faculty said to me, 'you're one of us,'" Obrant said. "I just kept going and going."

Obrant has enjoyed participating in Peekskill's burgeoning arts scene. Throughout the summer, Obrant took part in Peekskill's summer block parties sponsored by EMBARK Peekskill. Obrant regularly visited the restaurants along Peekskill's restaurant row and neighbor 12 Grapes lent her a table.

"I had the best time," Obrant said. "There were nights that we didn't get home until after 11:30. There are so many musicians, artists and dancers here. I love them and they love us. The photographers here are phenomenal."

At one of the block parties, Obrant was visited by Gov. George Pataki, who was previously mayor of Peekskill.

"He loved my paintings," Obrant said.

Obrant said it generally takes her a month to complete her paintings. She has given talks at the Beanrunner Cafe about her work and has done paintings of Sing Sing in Ossining and of Mychal Judge's body being carried out of the North Tower on Sept. 11.

Mmore information can be found at Obrants website, www.susanobrant.com/.

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