:: Long Reach Arts - a brief history

In the spring of 1982, a group of professional visual artists working in a variety of mediums and styles met to explore the idea of forming a cooperative gallery. Mutual respect for each other's works and recognition of the benefits in sharing ideas and experience brought them together.

When plans were being discussed for the future, the Mid-Hudson Arts and Science Center (MASC) housed in the old City Hall, (now the headquarters of the Dutchess Commissioner of Jurors,) invited the newly formed cooperative to present its first exhibit in MASC's large gallery for the duration of the summer. Inspired by the idea of beginning with a "group exhibit in the summer" the name "Summergroup" was unanimously adopted.

:: twenty-five years of creativity and cooperation

The quality of the work and the enthusiastic response from the public prompted MASC to offer its smaller main floor gallery to Summergroup as its home. Summergroup remained at the MASC facility until June, 1991, mounting new exhibits every six weeks and welcoming large numbers of the public to its openings and programs.

Since 1991, with the exception of rented gallery space at the Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Center from May, 1995 through July, 1996, Summergroup's exhibits have been primarily featured in venues throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley and in New York City, including commercial, non-profit organizations, and college galleries on both sides of the Hudson River, on the east bank from Cold Spring to the city of Hudson, and as far west as Middletown and Ellenville to Windham.

:: Long Reach Arts today

Today, this twenty-five-year-old Arts Cooperative remains an important part of the visual arts in the Hudson Valley Region. In addition to achieving recognition as a group, individual members’ works are well known in the valley and beyond. They are represented in both public and private collections in the United States and in Israel.

To celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Group decided to change its name. Mindful of its location near the Hudson River, which has provided from West Point northward what sailors call a “long reach,” that is, a great length of sailing without having to tack, and also mindful of a wonderful infusion of new blood that has reinvigorated its membership, the group has adopted the name Long Reach Arts. The Group thus looks backward with pride on its twenty-five years of achievement, and looks forward with hope to many more years of its art reaching out into the community.