The Catskill Chronicle

Claire Coleman with one of her early oil portraits.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

The grand opening poster.

LIVINGSTON MANOR – “It’s PUNK with an ‘L’, it’s edgy but fun,” said Claire Coleman of “The Plunk Shop”, her new store on the main drag in Livingston Manor. Coleman said she wanted to incorporate an onomatopoeia in the name of the store she runs with her husband and fellow artist James Karpowicz.

“It’s like plunk yourself down, and it rhymes with funk or junk,” she said.

On Saturday, February 6, The Plunk Shop held its grand opening featuring “Realer Than Real – A Collection of Lenticular Images and 3-D Photo Wonders” an exhibition by M. Henry Jones and Mark Friedlander.

“We spent two weeks painting it with all the colors left over in our basement,” said Coleman of getting the new store ready for business, as they worked day and late night shifts preparing for the grand opening celebration.

A few of the ‘edgy but fun’ works on display.

“We had to work like crazy to get it open, and the focus of the store is on the creative element in the area, as regional artists need an outlet.”

Once things get a little bit settled, The Plunk Shop will screen alternative films and children’s movies in the intimate space.

The store showcases the wares of “lots of consigners” such as jewelry, artwork, t-shirts, and greeting cards. Of particular note are Coleman’s “Armeffects” handmade handbags and her tutus, painted constructions by Karpowicz, Heirloom Botanicals (Herbal, all natural skin care products), MiLu Couture baby accessories, and ink drawings by Barnaby Frumess.

Claire Coleman helps 5-year old Kara Schutte of the Manor try on a tutu.

Coleman describes herself as an “interdisciplinary artist” as she explores oil painting, collage, video animation, video shorts/installations, photography and the written word.

The Plunk Shop is located at 41B Main Street, the site of the former Outsider Studio in Livingston Manor. Winter hours are Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For information, call 646-320-6895 or visit Coleman website at www.clairecolemanart.com .

To view more photos or to purchase prints from “Plunk” It visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.