Photo by Clint Spaulding
ABOUT
Catskill Art Space (CAS) explores contemporary art practices of emerging and established artists. Through exhibitions, performances, classes, lectures and screenings, CAS fosters creative community in the Catskills.
Programs
With exhibition space spanning two floors and four galleries, CAS aspires to be a regional arts destination, delivering programming that is diverse, dynamic, and life-enriching. CAS promotes the visual and performing arts of, by, and for our communities, including world-class artists, local artists, and arts education.
CAS regularly offers opportunities to show work in our venues, and we welcome submissions from artists and arts groups through an annual call for exhibition proposals. Exhibitions are complemented by a wide range of public programs, including dance and music performances, artist talk backs, film screenings, lectures, and community gatherings.
CAS also empowers emerging and established artists of all ages to deepen their practices through various educational opportunities. Our long-standing CAS Kids program provides a free out-of-school learning opportunity, offering families intensive arts education combining art making and historical context. In our mixed-media and ceramics studios, we invite the community to explore, play and learn about art-making.
exhibition selection process
Our exhibition model brings together long-term loans from museums of work by internationally renowned artists with a mix of invitational and juried shows, with a focus on regional talents. An open call for exhibition proposals for CAS’s ground floor Main Street Galleries goes out each June. Submissions are reviewed by the Artists Council, a group of local artists and art-world professionals who evaluate proposals with the following programmatic priorities:
Maintain a rigorous and varied schedule of exhibitions and programs, with an emphasis on contemporary artists working today
Regional focus on artists living and working in the greater Catskills Mountain and Upstate New York regions
Represent of a variety of artistic mediums and practices
Foster inclusivity and diversity of backgrounds and perspectives
Support the work of emerging artists, giving a platform to share their work
Showcase artistic expression that sparks dialogue and offers fresh perspectives on critical social issues
history
CAS was founded by Charles F. Beck in 1971, out of his Cooks Falls home, as a space for artists to gather and share common interests. CAS incorporated as a nonprofit organization as Catskill Art Society in 1972 and moved to Hurleyville to share the newly dedicated Sullivan County Museum building with the Sullivan County Historical Society.
In 2007, CAS renovated a historic building in Livingston Manor, built as the Manor Theater in 1929 and showing movies through the 1970s, to create exhibition space and classrooms on the ground floor. In 2020-22, CAS underwent a major renovation and expansion to activate its previously unoccupied second floor space, allowing the organization to expand the scale and scope of its programming. Coinciding with the renovation, the organization is reopening as Catskill Art Space.
Staff
Sally Wright, Executive Director
As Executive Director, Sally Wright oversees CAS’s programs, operations and fundraising. Previously, Sally managed special events and corporate support at Dia Art Foundation for a number of years. She is on the board of Independent Curators International and studied Anthropology at Bates College. Sally lives with her husband and two children in Livingston Manor.
Christine Essex, Gallery Manager
Christine Essex is an experienced administrative professional who lends her skills to the day-to-day running of CAS’s galleries and programming. She is also a mother of two and an artist. Her hand painted glassware and mugs are available by commission through her own business, Essex Studio.
Board and advisors
Board of Directors
Christopher Kissock, President
Joni Wehrli, Vice President
John Rafferty, Treasurer
Elizabeth Ennis, Secretary
Kevin Cooke
Judith Cox
Marcela Gaviria
Alessandra Gouldner
Ultan Guilfoyle
Jenny Gill
Patricia Pomeroy
Marjorie L. Van Dercook
Thomas Wilinsky
Artists Council
Mac Adams
Thurman Barker
Ellen Brooks
Francis Cape
Bobbie Oliver
Paul D. Miller aka Dj Spooky
Nancy Princenthal
Patterson Sims
Andrew Waggoner
Joni Wehrli
Robin Winters
Bing Wright
Board of AdvisOrs
Robyn Almquist
David Barnes
Mary Hall
Bruce Janklow
Joan O’Connor
Bret Silver
Migs Wright
Supporters
Funding for CAS is provided in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
CAS Kids educational programming is made possible by support from Robyn Gerry, the Fullen Smith Foundation, the Kaplan Foundation, Goyanes Family Foundation, Thalia and George Liberatos Foundation, Lazare and Charlotte Kaplan Foundation and Norcross Wildlife Foundation.
Contributions from individuals like you help us bring world-class art and diverse cultural programming to the Catskills. Join us by making a donation today at the donor or membership level that feels right for you.