“Pelham Art Center: 50 Years” Opening Reception Celebrates History of Organization
Alexi Rutsch Brock, previous Executive Director Lynn Honeysett, previous Board President ’76 Diana Reische, Susan Mutti, Nancy Warner, Executive Director Charlotte Mouquin, board member Susan Nathenson, Kathy Rutsch, Annette Candido. Front: Art Happening Co-chairs Clue Noble and Peggy Nicholson, Ann Sweze
Pelham Art Center’s semi-centennial historical exhibition opened Friday, January 24 with a free gallery reception. 130 guests attended the opening for the exhibition, which presents a visual timeline encompassing the origins of the Art Center as a local grassroots initiative, major organizational milestones, and art highlights from gallery shows over the years. Pelham Art Center welcomed Peggy Nicholson and Clue Noble, the Co-chairs of the original “Art Happening”— a two-day arts festival developed by Pelham Junior League volunteers as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s centennial Project in Education. Diana Reische, Kathy Rutsch, Susan Nathenson, and Nancy Warner were among other key individuals in attendance, including past and current board members, board chairs, previous Executive Directors, art collectors, and artists who have exhibited at the Art Center. Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements, New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen were also there to support the exhibition opening. Justin Christopher of Handcrafted Catering & Events provided an artful arrangement of food for the evening.
With a community of art supporters together in the gallery, Pelham Art Center Executive Director Charlotte Mouquin remarked: “With our 50 year history of public engagement with art, we have exhibited thousands of artists; we have had hundreds of exhibitions. Learning this history has been truly inspirational…When we look back at the story of our past, we can consider where we are going in the future.”
Mouquin gave a special thank you to Pelham Art Center’s current annual sponsors Meridian Risk Management, Cincinnati Insurance Companies, and McClellan Sotheby’s Real Estate. She extended an invitation to join Pelham Art Center at its 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala on March 21st, saying “It’s really the time to envision: where do we want to be in the next 50 years, and how are we going to get there? It’s a time to celebrate this history of art and community engagement.”
The Pelham Art Center gallery is always free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10:00AM-5:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PM. “Pelham Art Center: 50 Years” is on view through April 4, 2020. Pelham Art Center invites everyone to come discover the story of this community cornerstone through five decades of archival material and art.
For more information about Pelham Art Center, including special events during this exhibition, visit pelhamartcenter.org. For more information on the 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala “VISIONS 2020,” visit Visions2020.givesmart.com.
To view more images, visit our event gallery