Hudson Valley Gallery to Display Work of Beloved Late Hyde Park Artist

Artist Jacob Lang passed away back in June of 2023. His passing left the art community and the Hudson Valley as a whole heartbroken. In honor of Jacob's birthday and his talent, his family arranged to have his art displayed at the Artists' Collective of Hyde Park on the weekends in July for the public to enjoy some of his beautiful work.

Hudson Valley Gallery to Display Work of Beloved Late Hyde Park Artist

Jacob Mathew Lang, 25, a lifelong area resident of Hyde Park, died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Born July 11, 1997, in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of Cheryl McFee and Andrew Lang. For many years he attended the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie. He was a Boy Scout with Troop 80 of Hyde Park and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Jacob Lang, an alumnus of FDR High School, was a rising star in the local art scene. In high school, he won many Gold Key Scholastic Art Awards, along with the Chaiman's Choice and Best of Show awards for his age division at the Dutchess County Fair several years in a row. He pursued an art major at the Maine School of Art and at SUNY New Paltz. Jacob was a talented artist who enjoyed sketching, drawing, and painting. He also had a passion for books and was a gifted writer. When not creating, Jacob loved attending concerts with his friends and playing music on various instruments including drums.

Many different interests have been shown through his artwork over the years initially including airplanes and Star Wars, then progressing to comic characters, animation figures, landscapes, portraits and abstracts. Prior to his passing, he had even stepped into the world of filmmaking, directing a short film that was shot in familiar Hudson Valley landmarks such as Marist College and Wilcox Park. Not just that, but was also working on illustrations for a graphic novel.

Jacob's mother Cheryl McFee told us, "Art has been such an important part of Jacob's life and so it will continue to be an important part of his memory. He expressed himself freely through his artwork. We can look back and see carton doodles on his second grade school work papers.. probably not appreciated by his elementary teachers at the time..."

He had painted several commissioned animal portraits over his short, but prolific career. Jacob enjoyed going to many varied art exhibits and has had some of his works on display at exhibits.

Cheryl continued, "Before he passed away last June he had discussed with us an interest in having his art displayed at the Hyde Park Collective one day. So in honor of his birthday, July 11th, we have arranged on the weekends in July, to have one of the rooms dedicated to displaying several pieces of his beautiful artwork. Sadly nothing can bring back Jacob, but we can keep his memory alive by sharing and enjoying many of his wonderful creations."

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The Artists' Collective of Hyde Park is located at 4338 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538. It is the big white house many art displayed on the yard on Route 9 in Hyde Park. The hours will be from noon to 6:00 PM, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Remembering Hudson Valley Artist and Friend Jacob Lang

Jacob was one of my best friends. We had met in high school when I made the transition from private school to public school. He was unique, zany, and sometimes spacey, but he was a true, loyal friend who was there to support your interests. Truly a one of a kind guy, Jacob thought and felt very deeply, and reminded me that practicing empathy was a true skill. Besides all the crazy adventures we went on, we'd have conversations on life and philosophy that really challenged both of us to grow. I'll forever miss all the times bowling, seeing movies and concerts together, obnoxiously Christmas Caroling at the mall, getting kicked out of Targets for lightsaber battling or shopping cart races, and creating awesome art together. You'll definitely be seeing me at the Artists' Collective this next month.

To see more of his artwork, please visit JacobMLang.weebly.com.