Much like a painter’s canvas, the fresh white walls in the lobby of the newly renovated Rosendale Theatre presented its leaders with an opportunity. Their goal: use the space to feature artists in the Hudson Valley and expand the use of the building past the weekly screenings, said Carrie Wykoff, the theater’s executive director.

Just past the front doors of this Rosendale Main Street mainstay, two walls were carefully curated by local resident and 30-year Woodstock School of Art teacher Staats Fasoldt. This month, a collection of vivid photographs of nature adorn them, brought to you by Rosendale Theatre Collective member Anne Coleman.

“Her photography really shows what a magical, beautiful place we live in,” said Wykoff. You can check out more of Coleman’s work at facebook.com/AnnesView.

She explained that Coleman has been the theater’s “resident photographer,” snapping pictures at every event for nearly 10 years.

Coleman started taking pictures in 2010, which was around the same time she began to hike in the Catskills and through the Shawangunk Mountains. Like most amateurs, her first images were taken on her cell phone, a Blackberry to be more specific, before her brother gave her a small camera to try out. Two years later she got her hands on a Canon digital camera and what started as a hobby became a profession. She had lots of community support along the way, like her friends in the Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographer’s Club.

“In my landscape photography, I try to capture Mother Nature at her finest,” Coleman said. “I hope my images convey a feeling of serenity and wonder.”

Many of the photos, now hung in the theater lobby, were taken in Rosendale and New Paltz, often near water, Coleman explained. The scenery at Mohonk Mountain House, Minnewaska State Park, Williams Lake and the local rail trails have become a constant source of inspiration, she said.

On January 7, the doors were opened for just shy of two hours, with hot cocoa and home-baked cookies served to the roughly 20 people who walked inside, Wykoff said. A mix of Coleman’s fans, theater staff, and collective members attended. For those who haven't been around lately, Wykoff was pleased to show off the many changes inside like the refreshed concession in the lobby that will now offer butter with popcorn for the first time. The collective is also working on their alcohol license to offer adult beverages at “Uncle Tony’s Tavern,” which is the concession stand’s new name. The title is based on the nickname for Anthony Cacchio, who was the theater’s beloved projectionist from the age of 16 until he passed in 2020.

Before the night was through, four of Coleman’s pieces were sold; a small portion of all proceeds from all works sold at the gallery will be donated to the theater, Wykoff said. This won’t be a one-off event either, she continued. Coleman’s gallery will be on display until the end of February and the next (currently unknown) artist will take her place on March 4. Those interested in being featured at future galleries can contact the theater at Info@rosendaletheatre.org.

The gallery will be open to folks on Fridays through Saturdays, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., giving you the perfect amount of time to catch a flick right afterwards, Wykoff added with a laugh.