WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — An exhibition titled “Elise Pittelman: The Borscht Belt” will go on display starting Friday, Nov. 17, in the Solo Gallery at the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, 28 Tinker St.
The exhibition includes a selection of paintings of scenes from popular Catskill Mountain resorts from the 1950s to the 1970s. An opening reception will celebrate a new round of exhibitions on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m.
“The Borscht Belt” is an homage to the hundreds of resorts that existed in the Catskill Mountains during the latter half of the 20th century and no longer exist today. The area of Ulster and Sullivan counties where these resorts were located became known colloquially as the “Borscht Belt” after the Eastern European soup, because its visitors were predominantly Jewish.
Antisemitism prompted the rise in popularity of these Jewish vacation sites, which reached their peak during a time when other resorts prohibited Jewish guests. In bungalow colonies or hotels, visitors rented rooms called Kocheleins, a Yiddish word that literally means “cook alone,” because families shared a space and vacationed together but often were responsible for their own food.
Despite the fact that the Borscht Belt was born out of bigotry, and later disappeared with waning antisemitism and an increase in air travel, the area left an indelible mark on American culture. It produced some of the greatest entertainers of all time, including Mel Brooks, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and Jerry Seinfeld. it also inspired classic American films like “Dirty Dancing” and the award-winning “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” television series. The spirited works on view in this exhibition depict scenes from fun-filled days that Pittelman spent at these lively resorts complete with events, entertainment, abundant food, and good friends. Tinged with nostalgia and longing, these works speak to Pittelman’s deep personal connection to happy memories from another time, and also to a quintessential part of Catskills history.
Pittelman has been an artist all her life. She received a full scholarship to study art at Cooper Union in New York. She left school after two years to get married and start a jewelry business, Pididdly Links, which prospered for almost 30 years.
After the sale of this business, she turned her attention to fine art with ornate birdhouses, handmade chocolates, paintings and drawings. Pittelman has exhibited her work locally and globally, mostly working from photographs. She works in series, including “Family Album,” a series of black and white paintings from photographs of her family; images of Jamaica; and “The Bar Mitzvah,” paintings derived from the photo albums of friends and family.
‘The Borscht Belt” runs through Sunday, Dec. 31.
Gallery hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Call (845) 679-2940 or visit woodstockart.org for more information.
