Kelly Sinclair: Overlook Mountain Exhibition at The James Cox Gallery

INSIDE+OUT is thrilled to announce Hudson Valley photographer Kelly Sinclair‘s upcoming exhibit Overlook Mountain at The James Cox Gallery in Woodstock NY. The 2025 exhibition season begins with a showcase of archival pigment prints by photographer Kelly Sinclair. It features 20 black-and-white photographs that document the artist’s regular treks up the iconic mountain trail, which includes views of the ruins at the Overlook Mountain House—a 19th-century abandoned hotel—and culminates at the peak with its sweeping views of the Catskills.

The exhibit opens Friday, April 4th, and will continue through May 2nd. Sinclair describes the project as a “heartfelt thanks” to Overlook for the challenge climbing the mountain presents and the sense of accomplishment she experiences upon reaching the summit. “It is the mountain that keeps on giving,” she adds.

The public is invited to attend an opening reception for the artist at The James Cox Gallery on Friday, April 4th, from 5 to 7 pm.

Sinclair first climbed Overlook Mountain 30 years ago when she and her husband moved to their home in Woodstock. The demands of raising two young boys and running a family business, Happylife Productions, with her husband, Mike DuBois, left little time for Sinclair to climb the mountain as often as she does now. It wasn’t until the pandemic that she (and many other hikers) began to make regular trips to the summit of the 3,130-foot mountain. Since then, she has set a goal of climbing Overlook once a week. “It is a way to stay physically active while enjoying the beauty of nature,” she explained. Along the way, carrying her Fujifilm X-T3 digital camera, Sinclair has documented a uniquely intimate vision of Overlook. In her photograph titled “Walking Sticks,” what might initially appear as an ordinary pile of twigs reveals much more. Sinclair recognized that hikers used these tree branches to aid their ascent to the summit and discarded them in a small heap on their way back down the slope. This single glance transforms a simple scene into a compelling narrative, reminding us that every moment and object holds a more profound significance, enriching our journey along the way.

“Black and white conveys more mood and mystery and heightens the sense of solitude, especially on a misty morning”

The ruins of the once bustling Overlook Mountain House, located near the summit of Overlook, provide Sinclair with a wealth of interesting compositions. “Arch” features the entryway to the hotel, framing the decaying stone walls of the interior, while “Sunrise” depicts shimmering light bursting through one of the hotel windows.

Sinclair always begins her climb up Overlook at around seven in the morning when few others are around. “I almost have the mountain to myself,” she quipped, adding that she especially loves foggy mornings. Several pieces in the exhibit reflect this interest, including “After the Rain.” This simple yet provocative image features a small stream of rainwater snaking along the mountain trail, bathed in misty early morning light.

Of course, the breathtaking vistas one encounters at the summit of Overlook also intrigue the artist. “Precipice” features a flat rock at the peak jutting into a sea of white clouds, while “Catskills” takes in the majestic sweep of the mountain range, one of the oldest in the world. Sinclair especially relishes the opportunity to observe the view at dawn.  “It takes a lot of effort,” Sinclair noted, “but it’s awe-inspiring to see the sunrise from the top of Overlook. I try to do it several times a year.”

The photographer has also had some interesting experiences in these ventures. “I’ve heard coyotes and barred owls in the pre-morning darkness… I’ve nearly stepped on rattlesnakes, which has taught me to stay alert.” She cautions fellow hikers to “Stay on the trail, folks!”

The sanctity of nature is also uppermost in Sinclair’s mind when hiking Overlook. She has observed a diverse array of plants that grow on the mountain, including some she hasn’t encountered anywhere else. Her next project involves making cyanotypes of these plant species. The technique is a camera-less method that uses a solution of iron salts and UV light to create stunning Prussian blue images of leaves and flowers.

In keeping with her respect for nature, Sinclair often photographs the debris thoughtless hikers leave along the Overlook trail. On the way back down the mountain, she collects the plastic bottles, dog bags, and other discarded belongings that litter the otherwise pristine landscape.

All of the exhibit’s photos are printed in black and white. Though Sinclair uses a digital camera, she converts her work to grayscale on her computer. “Black and white conveys more mood and mystery and heightens the sense of solitude, especially on a misty morning,” She observed. Sinclair studied Sociology and Visual Arts at SUNY Purchase and graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Sociology. She has exhibited at some of the Hudson Valley’s finest art venues, including the Kleinert Gallery, Woodstock; Woodstock Artists Association and Museum; the Center for Photography, Kingston; and the Art Society of Kingston‘s annual photography show. Her work was recently featured in a one-person exhibit, “Full Bloom – In our Fifties,” at the Queen of Rogues in Shokan, NY.

James Cox Gallery at Woodstock

Kelly Sinclair: Overlook Mountain Exhibition
The exhibit runs from April 4th, 2025 – May 2nd, 2025
The entire exhibit may be viewed on the gallery website. 

OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 5pm – 7pm 

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KELLY SINCLAIR

Connect via > Website | Instagram Follow @kellysinclair108

THE JAMES COX GALLERY
Connect via > Website | Instagram Follow @jamescoxgallery | INSIDE+OUT In the Spotlight

The James Cox Gallery is located at 4666 State Route 212, Willow, NY.
For more information, email the gallery at [email protected] or call 845-679-7608.