We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this weekend, leading into the Presidents’ Week – a traditionally good time for skiing in the Catskills.

Roxbury Arts Group

Roxbury Arts Group in Delaware County will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with poetry and music. From 1 to 3 p.m. poets Rebecca Andre and Esther de Jong will be on site talking with visitors, and in response writing short poems for the posterity.  From 4 to 7 p.m. Three Friends – Ed Marris and Franziska Rauch, accordion, and Jeanne Palmer, violin, will perform a free concert that will integrate a variety of styles. For more information, visit http://roxburyartsgroup.org.

Catskill Art Society

Catskill Art Society in Sullivan County is hosting an opening reception Friday, February 13 at 4 p.m. Piece Together for Peace exhibit features artworks by artist Cynthia Strunsky McLean. Designed as an interactive show, this program will engage viewers as curators as well. For more information, visit http://catskillartsociety.org.

Cross Contemporary Art Gallery

Cross Contemporary Art Gallery in Ulster County has on view works by five New York artists: John Berens, Jeffrey Bishop, Mike Cockrill, Jared Deery, and Shira Toren. A multi-media exhibit that includes paintings, drawings, and sculpture, Take 5 showcases a variety of styles and approaches. The common theme appears to be the attention paid to intimate details. The exhibit, which opened on February 7, will be on view through March 1. For more information, visit http://www.crosscontemporaryart.com.

Olana

Olana mansion in Columbia County, the home of famed painter Frederic Edwin Church, is hosting Just Desserts: Coffee and Creations this Saturday, February 14 at 2 p.m. Artist Jill Obrig will be leading an acrylic painting workshop inspired by Jim Dine’s works. A painter, printmaker and illustrator, Dine is known for incorporating common objects in his work, and playing with color in an expressionistic manner; he is sometimes associated with the Neo-Dada movement. Just Desserts: Coffee and Creations is open to students of all levels – no prior painting experienced is needed. An assortment of desserts and hot beverages will be offered throughout the class. For more information, visit http://www.olana.org.

New York State Museum

The New York State Museum in Albany is hosting the annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show this weekend February 14 – 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show is organized in partnership with the New York Academy of Mineralogy and the Capital District Mineral Club, and features thirty exhibitors showcasing a variety of minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry, and other items. The New York State Museum has its own permanent collection of fossils and minerals. For more information about this show, visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/programs/minerals/.

Happy Valentine’s Day!