SPOTLIGHT
Tony Moore, Gallery Owner at Ligenza Moore Gallery (#79 on UAW Map)
Can you tell us a little bit about what you do? And how long you’ve been in your current position. I am a professional artist of long standing. Since graduating with a MFA from Yale University in 1973 I have exhibited both paintings and sculptures at many national and international venues and honored to be represented in international museum collections including the Guggenheim and Brooklyn Museums. After residing and maintaining a studio practice in NYC for 25 years, and working at museums, auction houses and commercial galleries my wife and I relocated to Cold Spring in the Hudson Valley in 1998. For the past 27 years I have pursued an active studio practice, regularly exhibiting, building and firing a Japanese style Anagama-Noborigama wood-fire kiln where ceramic artist events are held several times a year. Opening the Ligenza Moore Gallery and Sculpture Gardens for exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and private music events is a further extension of this communally inspired creative practice.
Use three words to describe yourself: Dedicated artist… humanist
What brought you to the Hudson Valley/Catskill Mountains? After 25 years of residing and working in NYC I was fortunate enough to be invited to do a 4 month residency at Byrdcliffe Guild Arts Colony in Woodstock NY. I found the environment so cleansing to my soul that at its conclusion I asked Cynthia Ligenza, my future wife, whether she would like to live in the country? She replied yes. I asked her whether in this life or the next? She replied, this life! Two weeks later, we purchased a breathtakingly beautiful property on the top of a mountain in the woods outside of Cold Spring, NY. We have now resided here for 27 years. I have built and fired a Japanese style wood fire kiln on the property for 25 years and am now opening the Ligenza Moore Gallery for the Spring/Summer season.
What do you love about your job? I am an artist. I am now 77 years old and have made art my primary focus my whole life since graduating from high school. It is the only thing that I have wanted to ever do. I give all my time, energy and financial resources to making art, as well as supporting myself. While making significant art is always a challenge, the sense of adventure and discovery brings immense pleasure and satisfaction. Inviting other artists to exhibit at Ligenza Moore Gallery is simply an extension of the creative process.
What exciting things do you have planned for UAW? Our exhibition, “Destination Earth”, features 15 high caliber visual artists who are represented in museums and galleries around the world. Ligenza Moore Gallery and Sculpture Gardens provides a beautifully landscaped environment and art gallery in which to walk and engage with art in nature.
Best place near you to get:
Breakfast? B & L Deli for good quality deli food.
Lunch? Vera’s Market Place & Garden Center for coffee, sandwiches, and homemade donuts.
Dinner? The Riverview.
What’s your favorite local store? Vera’s Market Place & Garden Center
What’s your favorite art/creative space to visit? Magazzino in Cold Spring and their restaurant Café Silvia has phenomenal food.
What is one tip for people experiencing UAW for the first time? Relax and enjoy art in the Hudson Valley.
What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people? In addition to hosting 15 artists at Ligenza Moore Gallery and Sculpture Garden, we have welcomed many artists from the ceramic community to fire in my Japanese style Anagama-Noborigama wood-fire kiln.
Now for the speed round! Pick one or the other:
Valley or mountains? Valley
Car or train? Car
Walk or hike? Walk
Sun or snow? Neither
Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors
Diner or restaurant? Restaurant
Market or shop? Market
Clear or clouds? Clear
Sunglasses or hat? Hat
Abstract or realist? Abstract
Contemporary or modern? Modern
Sculpture or painting? Painting
IRL or digital? IRL
Look or listen? Look
See or feel? See