The Wurtsboro Art Alliance was organized at the initiative of John Neilson in the spring of 2006. We are a community organization formed to encourage and promote art and artists from the regional area. Having acquired a gallery space due to the generosity of our Town and Village board, we work together to provide the public with a dynamic and versatile presentation depicting the surrounding area a
nd the world at large. We have a diverse and prolific group of artists, from sculptors to photographers, textiles to wood carvings. Come visit our gallery in the beautiful and historic Village of Wurtsboro, New York. History...
In 2006 the Board of Trade and the Wurtsboro Renaissance asked if there could be a show at the Community Church Hall to coincide with Winterfest. This was agreed to and a number of local residents, encouraged by John Neilson, contributed their time and art-work to the show, which was a great success. The exhibitors were asked if they wished to pursue the matter further – with positive result. Accordingly the first meeting was held in March that year to see if there was sufficient interest to proceed. The idea was received enthusiastically and on April 1st. (an auspicious date!) the Wurtsboro Art Alliance was formed, a Constitution written and a logo designed and donated by RSR Designs. Our first venture, as the Alliance, was ‘Art in the Park’ on a date chosen in August to coincide with the Renaissance Judges visit – this was well attended and fun for all... While still a small group we continued to have successful art shows at the Community Church Hall and the Valley Brook Inn. These drew a good number of visitors and showed the public how much talent there was in the area. Our goal was to bring artists, professional or amateur, young or old, and offer them a venue where they could present their art and demonstrate their abilities. Since our inception we have grown from a small group of ten to about fifty members at present and are still growing. We now have our own Gallery space, thanks to Charlie Penna, Town Supervisor, Senator John Bonacic, and our local Board, where we offer an array of talent in every media. We welcome young and old, beginner and expert, sponsor and patron to join us in our endeavour to present the public with a broad spectrum of local artistry. Our thanks go the Wurtsboro Renaissance Group f or the beautification of the approach to the Gallery by their planting of trees, shrubs and flowers in summer 2007.
