Charles Dudley Remembered as a Special Talent

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Paul Huber thinks every day about the irony of the words his dear friend, Charles Dudley, frequently uttered.

“He would always say, your life can change-for better or worse- in the blink of an eye,” recalled Huber about Dudley’s recurring phrase whose meaning became personally intensified on March 8, 2022. While in the Newburgh Free Library on this date, Dudley unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. His loss continues to be profoundly felt by all those whose lives he touched.

A native of North Carolina, Dudley resided in New York City before making the City of Newburgh his home about 18 years ago. A highly skilled and creative decorative artist, who was well-known for his diligent and authentic contributions to private events as well as select projects, such as the flower arrangement aligning the Buddhist Center in NYC, Dudley also worked with mixed media. Seeking an art space opportunity in around 2004, Dudley landed a timely opening at the then Safe Harbors (now Cornerstone) Broadway location. An ardent world-traveler who possessed what many referred to as an “international spirit,” Dudley faced many lofty challenges- dealing with both race and sexuality- trying to settle into his new location. Despite never fully feeling comfortable in his surroundings, he was able to forge strong bonds with like-minded Newburgh souls.

These meaningful, supportive friendships, with people such as Huber, as well as Gita Nanden and Jens Veneman, owners of the ADS Warehouse, offered priceless hope and joy. Dudley had a studio across the street from the couple who provided a much welcomed home space for his igniting art show in 2021.

“My fondest memories of Charles are the day of his Solo Show, a tribute to his work and ancestors; he truly brought a lively spirit to our space,” recounted Nanden. “He loved being an artist and having a space to do it here in Newburgh; COVID was tough on him though, as he did a lot of traveling before it struck, and he really missed it and had friends all over the world.”

Residing in places such as Berlin, Egypt and Geneva, Dudley was described as a man who truly appreciated all cultures, interacted with world-known celebrities, such as esteemed ones from the Motown Era, while possessing a genuine appreciation for the finer things in life- an ethnically peppered gourmet meal, a well put together piece of artwork, beautiful music, anything created with love and devotion. The Pandemic in many ways stifled that wonderlust which characterized Dudley, something that those close to him said markedly changed the man they admired and loved in ways words couldn’t express.

“The minute Charles got on a plane, he almost became another person,” said Huber, who also noted Dudley’s unwavering devotion to Buddhism and the high priority it had in defining who he was and how passionately he lived his life, all elements inherent in his unique artwork, whose indelible footprint remains.

“His art has the ability to fill your heart with positivity, excitement and love; however, looking deeper into his work, it often reveals a complex journey of loss and great sadness,” explained another friend, Matt Frohman of Spirits Lab, a part of ADS Warehouse. “Charles traveled the world like no one I’ve ever known and was a devout Buddhist; these travels and experiences are very much reflected in his work; I will miss him.”

So too will that irreplaceable void be felt by Nanden, her husband Veneman as well as countless others, including Huber, who wishes his time with Dudley could have been much longer and whose mind resonates daily with his friend’s adage about life changing in an instant.

“You just don’t know what can happen in life,” said Huber, thinking of Dudley. “So you really need to tell the people you care about how much they mean to you while they can hear it.”

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