NEWSLETTER
A Farm-to-Table Dining Experience to Celebrate the Season and Support Programming and Operations
This major fundraising event features the support of Hudson Valley farmers, businesses, and artists for an unforgettable night.
Saugerties, NY — Opus 40’s annual Fall Gala is not just a cornerstone fundraising event for the Saugerties-based sculpture park, museum, and nature/educational center, but also one of the highlights of autumn in the Catskills during peak foliage colors.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 18 and features a cocktail hour set among the landmark earthwork sculpture, dinner catered by the locally loved Camp Kingston under culinary direction of Lee Kalpakis, live jazz by the talented Dylan McCarthy Trio, and classic Hudson Valley cider doughnuts with fresh hot cider while seated beside the warmth of a glowing fire pit under the stars as Opus 40 is beautifully lit in vibrant hues.
For those unfamiliar with Opus 40, the nonprofit organization is centered around the magnificent 6.5-acre earthwork sculpture created by late artist Harvey Fite, who worked alone and by hand over four decades until his death in 1976. The nonprofit was established by his widow, Barbara Fite, in 1978. Enhanced by a curated variety of arts, environmental, and educational experiences, Opus 40 aims to engage visitors from nearby and across the globe to experience the wonder of one man’s extraordinary commitment to art and humanity.
The Fall Gala aims to raise funds for ongoing arts, educational, and wellness programming, in addition to supporting ongoing operational costs and maintenance of the grounds and earthwork.
This summer alone, with the help of supporters, the organization was able to offer all-ages concerts featuring both local musicians and multicultural artists from around the globe, wellness events including qigong and yoga, educational walks (mushroom foraging, bird watching, geology, and more led by experts in their fields), community events that bring families to the grounds for a day of art and nature, and more.
In addition to events, here are a few ongoing development initiatives:
Opus 40 Sculpture Conservation: In 2022, Opus 40 launched a special initiative to help match our prestigious Save America’s Treasures Grant toward the restoration and repair of our historic bluestone earthwork. They successfully matched that grant and have already made remarkable progress toward restoring this national treasure—saving at-risk walls of the sculpture and rebuilding two areas—but much conservation remains.
Fite House Restoration: Fite House has been reunited with Opus 40, and they are embarking on a broad restoration project to restore the building and make it accessible to the public.
Harvey’s Studio Reconstruction: Harvey’s 1955 carving studio at the top of the hill has been “lost in time” for many years, and they are planning an initiative to restore this site so that the public may better understand how Harvey worked.
Acquisition and Conservation of Harvey Fite’s Stone & Wood Sculpture: Opus 40 would love to bring more of Harvey’s exquisite sculpture work home to Opus 40 and bring in experienced conservators for sculpture repair.
Opus 40 Legacy Project and Archives: This is a long-term initiative to remediate the extensive archives of Harvey and Barbara Fite, including historical photos, films and documents, and to bring them to a permanent climate-controlled environment.
“Our annual Fall Gala is the highlight of the season. Fall in the Hudson Valley is truly spectacular, and enjoying the sunset and amazing foliage from Opus 40 is nothing short of magical. The Gala brings a touch of Barbara Fite’s elegance to our historic quarry—an elevated evening of dining, music, and essential fundraising in our signature laid-back style—and ensures we can continue both providing exciting programming and maintaining the art and property for years to come,” says Kristen Thorne, Director of Operations.
Sponsorships are still available for businesses, organizations, and individuals who are interested in reaching Opus 40's audience of arts enthusiasts, land stewards, and local history and nature appreciators, in addition to the 200 guests that are estimated to attend. Opus 40 would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters: Upstate Curious, Inside + Out Upstate NY, Camp Kingston, Migliorelli Farms, Bread Alone, Adams Fairacre Farms, Studio RDD, and various donors. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@opus40.org.
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, October 18th, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Opus 40 is located at 356 George sickle Road, Saugerties, NY
Tickets are available at https://opus40.org/fall-gala/
Photos from previous events - Credit China Jorrin
About Opus 40:
Opus 40 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of a 6.5-acre earthwork sculpture created by Harvey Fite, with 60 acres of meadows, forested quarry trails, and bluestone quarries in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Saugerties, NY. Opus 40 stewards the magnificent stonework sculpture and its surroundings, and fosters direct connections between his living artwork and the public. Through vibrant arts, environmental, and educational experiences, Opus 40 shares and amplifies Fite’s inspirational vision as a place for visitors to explore and reflect on the relationships between nature, local history, and the arts.
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