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Seventy-five years ago a group of local artists met at the home of regional artist Thomas Weeks Barrett Jr. (1902-1947) located at 55 Noxon Street in Poughkeepsie. At that meeting, they voted to form the Dutchess County Art Association to foster and perpetuate an appreciation of the visual arts in Dutchess County. This original mission continues to guide the association today.
The 1830’s Greek Revival home of Thomas Barrett was donated to the DCAA in 1974 and converted to an art center and home of the association. The house, with its intricately designed moldings and marbled fireplaces, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the official name of the organization remains unchanged, it gradually took on the name of the building, so the association is now commonly referred to as the Barrett Art Center.
The Art Center building is the heart of the association and is still used for administrative purposes. It also provides a meeting place for art enthusiasts and artists alike to view, exhibit, discuss, create, and learn about art. The Center hosts a changing exhibition program devoted to fine contemporary and traditional works of art. Prestigious national juried shows in contemporary art (New Directions) and photography (Photo Works) have each been held annually at the Art Center for more than 20 years, attracting hundreds of submissions from across the country. Other events held annually at the Center include shows featuring works by members and by our faculty and students, as well as topical shows (such as the recent Latin American show). The Center also provides space for classes.
The DCAA aspired to create a ceramic art facility with a prominent Main Street location. In 2004 they accomplished that goal, bringing vibrancy and renewal to a block once forgotten, the beautifully restored three-story building at 485 Main Street acts as an anchor and as a community center. Street-level space within the Clay Works is devoted to instruction in working with clay for all ages as well as kilns, wheel throwing equipment, a glaze room, and galleries. The second floor is a community workspace where artists have access to ceramics equipment and can rent semi-private studios. The top floor has private studios available for artists of all disciplines including painters, sculptors, photographers, and writers. Special programs are held on and off site with community groups to promote the therapeutic aspects of clay art. Family Clay Day is held at the Clay Works on the last Saturday of each month (except December) for community members of all ages to enjoy working with clay.
The Barrett School of Art is noted for the “salon” style of instruction, emphasizing small class sizes and plenty of individual attention for students of all levels. Our instructors are talented artists in their own right and highly qualified teachers. In addition to large classrooms at both locations, Thomas Barrett’s original studio on the 3rd floor of the Art Center has printmaking facilities and a photographic darkroom. Classes are also offered in Millbrook and other off-site locations. Over forty classes will be offered in the coming fall and winter seasons; visit our website at: www.barrettartcenter.org for our catalog and for more information about our classes and instructors. Discover your inner artist through our classes!
Off-site events are held throughout the county to further promote art and artists. For example, our highly successful Paint Outs are held every spring and fall at various sites. The events feature approximately 50 of the region’s most accomplished plein-air landscape artists who spend the day of the event painting local scenes. They return to the day’s venue with complete works of art to be viewed, admired, and sold at a live auction.
The Association represents a significant economic resource, injecting about a quarter of a million dollars into the art-based community each year through its employment of artist/instructors, payment of artist’s commissions, and purchase of local goods and services. These funds are raised through memberships, studio rentals, art sales, donations, and grants from agencies such as the Dutchess County Arts Council. For more information, contact us at 845-471-2550, or visit our website at www.barrettartcenter.org. Hope to see you at one of our events soon!
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