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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. The New Rochelle Art Association will have a centennial exhibition on display at The College of New Rochelles Mooney Center Gallery titled Then and Now from June 16 to July 9.
The simple fact that we were founded by the best illustrators in the country spurred us on to make our centennial year a true celebration, not just a series of art exhibits, Jesse Sanchez, president of the New Rochelle Art Association, wrote in an email.
An opening reception will be held for the exhibit, which depicts New Rochelles history from 1912 through 2012, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at the Mooney Center as part of the associations 100-year anniversary.
Then and Now, the first of special shows the association is putting on, will feature work by its current members and available work by its original members, including original art from New Rochelles most famous artists and illustrators, such as Norman Rockwell, Joseph Leyendecker and Walter Beach Humphrey.
I think it is remarkable that through depressions, world wars and other countless social upheavals, we have been able to survive and thrive, Sanchez wrote in his email. Very few art associations have been that lucky. One reason we are still in existence is that we are linked with the city of New Rochelle in a very intimate way. We have initiated and completed many public art projects over the years for the city. The various war memorials and our city limit sign project are good examples of this.
As the times change and new challenges present themselves we feel it is important to look back and be encouraged by our legacy, he wrote. I was recently given the early documents which chronicle our organization. I was impressed and humbled by the good character of our founders. They were motivated to help the city they lived in by advancing the cause of art by holding public exhibitions. We hope to continue their good work and thereby contribute to the cultural climate of the city.
The New Rochelle Art Association is one of the oldest and most prestigious art organizations in the country.
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