Milford artist Marie Liu to exhibit landscapes in Trail Conference exhibit

MILFORD — The New York/New Jersey Trail Conference will host Milford artist Marie Liu for an exhibit of her paintings of the Poconos, northern New Jersey, and the New York State Bashakill Preserve, areas that benefit by the Trail Conference's work.
The exhibit will be held in the restored Darlington Schoolhouse, 600 Ramapo Valley Road, in Mahwah, N.J., now the Trail Conference's headquarters. The opening wine and cheese reception will be held there from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2.
Nature's powerful forcesMany millions of years ago, massive geologic, hydraulic, and glacial forces formed ancient mountains, deep ravines with numerous waterfalls, creeks, and a mighty river. These forces formed the Delaware River Valley's lush and rugged landscape.
Liu thinks of it as a perfect place for landscape painters and has been using it as her sole inspiration for over a decade. As the 2015-16 Resident Artist for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, she was happily tasked with interpreting the National Park with her paints for an entire year, an experience that was pivotal for her, both an honor and thrill. She also co-authored a guidebook to lead tourists to the numerous waterfalls on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sides of the Delaware River. (See her videos on You Tube by searching for "Marie Liu Artist.")
Immersing herself in the history of the region, Liu creates works that often feature people of note who once called this place home, like Gifford Pinchot, first chief forester of the National Forest Service and considered America's first Conservationist, and Marie Zimmermann, famed metal artist of the early to mid-20th century, whose beautiful home is in the National Park.
Vast tracts of public lands, protected by state and federal agencies, plus organizations such as the Trail Conference, make access to these natural treasures possible. Liu says her paintings are a tribute to those that work to preserve, protect, and maintain our landscape to benefit the public for generations to come.
Built in 1891, Darlington Schoolhouse is listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The Trail Conference staff are always proud to show off the building's features to visitors, like the double grand stairways to the second floor and the original school bell.
The exhibit can be viewed during business hours from Oct. 30 through Jan. 9: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information call 201-512-9348.