Phoenicia Festival of the Arts
SUNDAY AUGUST 31st - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Short Films at the Phoenicia Playhouse: Identity, Art & Discovery
Tickets $10
New this year, the festival launches a film program in partnership with the Phoenicia Playhouse, presenting four powerful films that explore themes of identity, culture, and transformation:
Sunday, August 31 at 3:00 PM
Festival Film Series
An eclectic afternoon of short films and documentaries that explore gender, identity, culture, and creative expression.
"The Gender Symphony" – 14 minutes
Directed by Phoebe Legere
A visually rich blend of Commedia dell’Arte and hand-drawn animation, The Gender Symphony tells the story of Columbina, a servant transformed by a magical accident, who challenges the authoritarian Dr. Pants in a surreal duel. Featuring Ivan Galietti (Fellini’s Casanova), Lorenzo Pozzan (Queer, 2024), and Phoebe Legere. The film uses hand-crafted costumes made from recycled materials, lush original music, and archetypal storytelling to explore contemporary gender politics.
Festival accolades include:
WINNER – Best Story, Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival
WINNER – Best Art Film, Cannes Arts Fest
WINNER – Best Soundtrack, NYC Independent Film Festival
WINNER – Best Experimental, Miami Women Film Festival
WINNER – Best Comedy, New York Movie Awards
Also recognized by festivals in Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, London, Athens, San Francisco, and others.
Praise from critics includes:
“Best short film I’ve ever seen.” – Rosa von Praunheim
“Whimsical and psychedelic... My favorite movie of the festival.” – Hollywood Press Corps
"Mixed Messages" – 19 minutes
Directed by Kathy Brew
An experimental video collage originally created in 1989–1990, Mixed Messages critiques gender stereotypes in media and culture using a mix of found footage, animation, interviews with girls, and performance. Inspired by a young girl’s audition piece (“I Enjoy Being a Girl”), the video offers a feminist lens on the messaging received by the next generation.
Decades later, it continues to resonate in the wake of the “Me Too” movement and the erosion of reproductive rights.
As featured in Hyperallergic (2020): “A potent and timely work of media criticism.”
"Following the Thread" – 22 minutes
Directed by Kathy Brew
A documentary exploring Indigenous textile traditions in the Peruvian Andes. Through intimate portraits of weavers and the communities supported by the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC), the film addresses the threats of cultural erasure, economic exploitation, and intellectual property theft. Featuring ceremonial rituals, natural dyeing techniques, and weaving demonstrations, the film honors both the artistry and the resilience of the Andean people.
"Sparrow" – 30 minutes
Directed by Paul Smart and Eduardo Padilla
Sparrow: Hecho en Guanajuato follows Hudson Valley-based poet and essayist Sparrow on a poetic journey through the winding streets and tunnels of Guanajuato, Mexico. Accompanied by filmmaker and former Phoenicia Times editor Paul Smart and local poet Eduardo Padilla, the film weaves conversation, observation, and lyrical commentary into a reflective portrait of place and creativity.
This short is part of the forthcoming omnibus feature POESIA: Language in Motion.
About the Phoenicia Festival of the Arts
Held annually in the heart of the Catskills, the Phoenicia Festival of the Arts celebrates the creative spirit of the region through music, performance, visual arts, and, for the first time in 2025, film. This inaugural film series brings new voices, visual storytelling, and cinematic experimentation into the community conversation.
For press inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
Christina Varga
Phoenicia Festival of the Arts
phoeniciafestivalofthearts@gmail.com
New This Year: Phoenicia Gets a Public Mini Golf Course
The 3rd Annual Phoenicia Festival of the Arts will unveil an ecologically minded, upcycled mini golf public art installation in Parish Field Park. Spearheaded by Christina Varga, the course reimagines “Lucid Dreaming: In Search of Lost Time” originally created by Brendan Bo O’Connor and Liam Singer previously exhibited at O+ Festival, ArtPort Kingston, Basilica Hudson, Rubulad Brooklyn, Opus 40, Athens Cultural Center and more. Donated by O’Connor and Singer “in the hopes they can help seed other projects of whimsy and joyful minigolf absurdity” the course is being reimagined in collaboration with Varga, bio-artist Adam Zaretsky of BEAK (Bio Ethical Advisory Kommission) ) and Kurt Boyer (Boyer Signs). The official ribbon cutting ceremony to present the course to the Town of Shandaken will take place on Friday, August 29 between 4- 5pm at Parish Field, honoring the many individuals who contributed to making this community project possible.
“The original Lucid Dreaming courses were donated in hopes they would seed new acts of whimsy and joy,” said O’Connor. “We’re thrilled to see this dream take root in Phoenicia.”
The mini golf course will flank the Tanbark Trailhead - a beloved hiking destination offering sweeping views of the Catskills in Parish Field Park and be nestled beside the Tanbark Nature Play Area designed by Autumn Brookmire. “This project merges public play with artistic storytelling and an ecological consciousness,” says Varga. “Through upcycled materials, crowdsourced putters and balls and generous volunteer support, it lives at the intersection of Art and Community.” The course will be available to the public through Shandaken Parks & Recreation with equipment available to check out at The Nest Egg, Phoenicia Library, VARGA Gallery, and other local businesses.
Art & Culture in Parks and Third Spaces
“The arts and culture are a key growth industry in Ulster County and have a huge impact on communities and their residents,” Varga enthuses. “They’re integral to attracting diverse audience, building a creative economy, and improving mental and physical well-being. The festival supports the local businesses while positively influencing quality of life, drawing tourism and fueling economic vitality.”
Art All Around: Exhibits, Installations & Yarn Bombing
Friday evening continues with the annual Art Invitational reception at 6pm on the Boardwalk at 60 Main Street to celebrate the art events and installations:
VARGA Gallery’s 3rd Annual Invitational Group Show with works by Lindsey Gwinn Parker, Jennifer Hicks, Elizabeth Mihaltse Lindy, Brenna Chase, Amory Dahl and Annie Christian among others
"Courtney Squared", a fiber arts installation by Courtney Dudley and Courtney Salerno at Bettina Restaurant
Tree Sweaters adorning trees throughout Main Street and Parish Field in a charming yarn bombing project organized by Nancy Geaney and The Yarn Farm (Kingston, NY).
A community “dye-in” by artist Jennifer Zackin at the town center
Outdoor sculptures, art installations, workshops and performances happening throughout town during the 5 day festival
Festival Highlights Include:
Free Festival Guide
Art Crawl Map to all the exhibits and installations
Makers & Creators Walk showcasing local creatives
Free Art Market at Parish Field by the mini golf course
Free live concerts and performances at various venues
Creative workshops for all ages, including EcoArt with Amanda Marlowe
Saturday Community BBQ at Parish Field hosted by Whitney Fire Hose Company
“Wizards & Faeries & Trolls, Oh My!” Day with prizes at the Tanbark Nature Play Area
“Mushroom Dress-Up Party”on Sunday with prizes at the Farmer’s Market
Daily access to the mini golf course
LGBTQ+ events, mixers, artist talks
Boardwalk music performances
Live performance variety show at the Phoenicia Playhouse
Opening Events – Thursday, August 28
Intention-Setting Gong Ceremony by HariPrakaash, followed by a
Poetry reading by Sparrow
Live Catskills music tribute by Paul McMahon
Art Installations throughout town open to the public
Friday, August 29 – Ribbon Cutting & Art Receptions
5 PM ribbon-cutting for the mini golf course at Parish Field
6pm Festival Art Reception at 60 Main Street on the Boardwalk, featuring work exhibited at VARGA Gallery, Phoenicia Arts & Antiques, Bettina Restaurant, Ulster Savings Bank and Outdoor installations throughout Phoenicia
7pm - Film Screening “The Long Path” at the Phoenicia Playhouse
Saturday, August 30th - Outdoor Fun
12pm - Whitney Fire Hose BBQ at Parish Field
2pm - Fire Extinguisher Demo sponsored by Inside+Out Upstate NY
3pm - Makers & Creators Walk at Church and Main in their designs and costumes
4pm - Music On The Boardwalk at 60 Main Street
6pm - FESTIVAL VARIETY SHOW at Phoenicia Playhouse featuring Phoebe Legere
Sunday, August 31st
10am - Farmer’s Market
1pm - Michael McKraut at Phoenicia Farmer’s Market - Educational Talk
2pm - Mushroom Dress Up Judging and Party
3pm - Film Screening and Q&A- “Mixed Messages’ by Kathy Brew and “The Gender Symphony” by Phoebe Legere
Monday, September 1
12pm Community Picnic at Parish Field
Workshops Offered During the Festival:
T-Shirt Painting at VARGA Gallery
Collaged oracle cards with Christine Moss
Children’s EcoArt Labs with Amanda Marlowe
Poetry Lab with Sparrow
Native American Sculpture Demonstration with Noel Chrisjohn Benson
Plushie Crochet Making with River Wild Hoffman
Confirmed Performers over the weekend
Gargie Verma (Dhrupad Indian classical)
Forbidden Lovers
Andrea Ward (dance and vocals)
HariPrakaash (sound bath & ceremony)
Gus Mancini’s Sonic Soul Band
Peter Head
Ava Jaross ("Ava the Avatar" – fire performance)
Laszlo Lang
Shamsi Ruhe
Amanda Jo Williams
Linda Mary Montano & Paul McMahon (performance art)
Elizabeth Mihaltse Lindy (interactive paper sculpture)
Benjamin English & John Gabriel
Featured Visual Artists (Partial List): Noel Chrisjohn Benson, Brenna Chase, Courtney Dudley, Peter Head, Michael Hunt, Andrew Kirschner, Phoebe Legere, Elizabeth M. Lindy, Norm Magnusson, Paul McMahon, Eva Melas, Lindsay Gwinn Parker, Courtney Salerno, Christina Varga, Adam Zaretsky, Annie X. Christian.
The full exhibition lineup and schedule will be announced in July. To sponsor an event or participate in the festival contact Christina Varga. For more information email PhoeniciaFestivaloftheArts@gmail.com.
