NARROWSBURG, NY — The Narrowsburg Union unveiled a new iteration of its public art installation, aiming to “conjure-up the Woodstock Spirit within us all,” according to a press release.

The 18 foot-tall, 30,000 lb. bluestone figure created by Wayne Holbert in 2018—is the latest in the “Union Denizen Series” of public installations by the series curator tag-named: PC.

This work is titled “Denizen in the Garden,” and it depicts Joe Cocker in the iconic tie-dyed shirt that he wore on stage during his performance in 1969 at the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. This installation joins one of the 50 doves officially hosted by the Sullivan-Catskills celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock—hand-painted by Brandi Merolla—which also sits on The Narrowsburg Union’s front lawn.

Websters Dictionary defines the word “denizen” as: “inhabitant of a particular place.” So the title of this present installation not only serves as a reference to Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock-anthem about a famous place right here in our area, Yasgur’s Farm, but it also “celebrates the Catskills Region and our beloved Delaware River Valley—a place of sublime beauty—and a garden,” Union representatives said.

The current installation features three giant hand-made ceramic buttons created by Dr. Anthony Biancoviso of Hillside Studio, whose low-temp ceramic technique perfectly recreates the style of button common during the 1960s. An epoxy-paint-based original painting on clear acetate-film was wired to the bluestone figure’s head. And the famous tie-dyed tee-shirt was fully recreated, in Photoshop, from many video and photographic samples.

The Union and artisans encourage visitors and residents to stop by and see Denizen in his latest garb.