Vince Skelly is no stranger to the woods; the sculptor works with a variety of trees from the Pacific Northwest and Southern California, carefully following grain, patterns, knots and other characteristics inherent to the material to shape his signature stools, chairs, and abstract forms. His process at once foregrounds the uniqueness and singularity of each wooden block, while also inviting contemplation of their evocative shapes. In September, Skelly debuted PLAY SCULPTURES at TIWA Gallery; inspired by midcentury playgrounds, the twelve benches, modular chairs, tables, and kinetic sculptures – all made from found wood – blur the boundaries between functional and decorative. To celebrate his second show with gallerist and curator Alex Tieghi-Walker, the duo collaborated with Audi on an overnight excursion upstate at Piaule, highlighting a shared commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

A fleet of fully electric Audi Q8 e-trons whisked guests out of the city, chauffeuring them to the landscape hotel in the heart of the Catskills. Tieghi-Walker curated a playlist just for the journey, and also shared a map of his favorite stops along the route and in the area. After guests had a chance to settle into their rooms, they gathered on the patio for cocktails, where a selection of Skelly’s works had been installed against the dramatic backdrop of late summer mountain vistas. Guests were invited to enjoy their drinks and a grazing table in the adjacent meadow before they made their way over to the dinner table, encountering another surprise from Skelly: The artist had carved each of their names into a small irregular block, created using scrap wood from his studio, in lieu of traditional place cards. Piaule Chef Joseph Cafaro designed the menu for the evening, a hyper seasonal feast showcasing locally-sourced ingredients and purveyors from the region. To echo Skelly’s practice, chef incorporated found branches collected from the Piaule grounds into his grill setup. After dinner, guests gathered around the firepit where they enjoyed the queen of outdoor desserts: s’mores, including homemade graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolates, alongside their choice of spiced hot chocolate and cider.