The Geography of Somewhere (Dusk in the Village)

I never noticed the building pictured here until I was drawn to those shadows on its façade at dusk.

It was a lesson in how a sense of place is created.The building is not a surprise. It fits in, contributing in its own modest way to the fabric of the built environment. On the other hand, buildings that try too hard to fit in can be just as disruptive to community character as a 1970s shopping plaza. In fact, as income inequality has risen, the outskirts of almost every small town have become littered with such tastefully obtrusive dwellings. So we should be grateful for these modest, overlooked places that quietly knit our community together.

Here’s a contest for observers of New Paltz character: Anyone who can identify where this building is located (by street and/or proximate buildings) will get a 20% discount on any of my paintings during the next open studio. Submit your entries here.