Frost Valley YMCA Announces Opening of Gallery at Forstmann Castle - New Arts Space Launches with Fine Arts Weekend, Inaugural Catskills-inspired Exhibition

CLARYVILLE — An icon of the Catskills is entering a new chapter. Frost Valley YMCA has announced the transformation of Forstmann Castle into a dedicated arts and exhibition space, opening the doors of this historic landmark to new audiences and creative possibilities. The Gallery at Forstmann Castle will officially debut during Frost Valley’s first-ever Fine Arts Weekend, with a public reception and artisan market on Saturday, May 9, 2026. 

Long recognized as a defining feature of Frost Valley’s campus, Forstmann Castle has been a symbol of the region’s history and character. This transformation reimagines the space as a place where art, nature, and community come together, expanding public access and creating new ways for visitors to experience the Catskills. 

The inaugural exhibition features work by local artist Hovey Brock, whose series Crazy River draws from memories, epiphanies, and stories about the West Branch of the Neversink River in the western Catskills. Additional works include drawings by Hannah Iannuzzi and a selection from YAI Arts Studio artists, including Jimmy Tucker and Tayloe Schinz-Devico. Frost Valley is also partnering with the North American Indigenous Center of New York (NAICNY), which will have a permanent dedicated space within the castle highlighting Indigenous representation, and will present a display of wearable art as part of the inaugural exhibition. 

The opening reception will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family-friendly gallery hours from 4:00 to 6:00 PM followed by an evening reception with artists from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will also feature an artisan market and opportunities to engage directly with exhibiting artists. 

“This transformation allows us to open our doors in new ways by creating a dedicated space for the arts, deepening how guests experience Frost Valley, and celebrating the creativity inspired by this place,” said Riel Peerbooms, Frost Valley YMCA CEO. 

Following opening weekend, the exhibition will remain on view throughout the summer, including as part of Upstate Art Weekend (June 25–29), inviting visitors to explore artwork that reflects the region’s landscape, surroundings, and connections. 

Additional photos and interviews are available upon request. Please contact Associate Director of Marketing Joseph Geidel at jgeidel@frostvalley.org.

About Frost Valley YMCA: Frost Valley YMCA is a destination for engagement in community, nature, art, and recreation for people of all ages and walks of life. As a leader in camping and outdoor education, we provide transformative experiences that inspire growth, connection, creativity, and resilience for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and are the antidote to screen-focused lives. Nestled on 5,500 acres in the scenic Catskill Mountains, just 2 hours from New York City, Frost Valley offers year-round opportunities for engagement in nature, adventure, personal growth, and creativity through diverse programs and experiences. Throughout, we instill in young people the skills to thrive, help people connect to themselves and others, and provide a sense of community and belonging. 

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