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From time to time, we can all use some inspiration. Sometimes we need to let go and embrace change. One way to do that is by switching up the artwork in our homes. A work of art – whether it’s a photograph or a painting – offers a new perspective and a window into another time, place, or even a feeling or mood.

Bringing artwork into a dwelling is a great way to switch up a home’s color palette, too. Whether you enjoy realism or abstraction, photography or watercolor, loose brush strokes or tight, or architectural renderings, there’s plenty of affordable artwork available right here in the Hudson Valley.

Rather than buying art at mass retailers, go gallery hopping and explore the collection at a local space. Local artists often draw inspiration from the region’s landscapes, cityscapes, and overall vibe. Beyond supporting a local artist, purchasing from a gallery means you’ll own an original work of art rather than something generic and mass produced. There are so many perks.

Shop local

One destination worth visiting is Art Gallery 71, which takes its name from its location at 71 East Market Street in Rhinebeck. It was founded in 2019 by local artists Wendy Sheasby, Richard Chianella, and Trevor Hunter along with Evelyn LaStella and Alix Travis, who remain the two LLC partners today.

Their mission is to offer an outlet for local artists to showcase and sell their work. While doing so, the gallery also fortifies Rhinebeck’s reputation as an art destination and does its fair share in making original art accessible to a much wider audience.

Art Gallery 71 operates as an artist cooperative, with 23 artist members currently signed on, including Travis and LaStella, who are members as well as being the LLC partners. All sales are commission-free. All working members perform jobs such as scheduling gallery sitters (who greet visitors and answer the phone or inquiries about the collection), coordinating rehanging, maintaining the email distribution list, updating the website, and hosting gallery events. Some serve on a steering committee that focuses on problem solving and continued improvement, along with LaStella who acts as general manager.

Before immersing herself in the art industry, LaStella served as executive director of product development and project management for a major bank. Now she says, “I am grateful to be focusing full time on painting and managing the gallery.”

A librarian and mom, Travis was involved in several artistic endeavors before getting involved in Art Gallery 71. She helped initiate the AMR Open Studio Tour, a grass-roots collective that spanned three Delaware County towns. It is still in operation.

The details

The roster of artists at Art Gallery 71 includes Alix Travis, Evelyn LaStella, Wendy Sheasby, Richard Chianella, Mary Belliveau, Ted Braggins, John Franco, Silvana Tagliaferri, Yoram Gelman, Vera Kaplan, Elisabeth Barnett, Jenny Strohm, Heather Schwegler, Joanne Cuttler, Julia Van Develder, Bill Jacobs, David Giroux, Mark Grimaldi, Emily Marchesiello, Susan Spivak, Scot Benn, Kevin Palfreyman, and Mike Jacobs.

The visionaries behind the gallery strive to retain a diverse collection of artworks in terms of styles and media. Visitors will find photography, oil paintings, watercolor paintings, acrylic paintings, and mosaics. Styles range from realism to abstraction.

“The main thing that differentiates Art Gallery 71 from other galleries, besides our great artists, is that we do not impose commissions. This allows our artists to offer their work to buyers at lower prices,” said LaStella. At the gallery, there’s also a broad range of sizes and price points. Affordable art can be snapped up for as little as $25. 

Although selection and inventory vary, the gallery offers unframed originals as well as high-quality prints. Framed original pieces can range from $85 to approximately $2,000 for larger pieces. Most work is in the mid-range of $150 to $600. 

“Many people think they can’t afford good original art but are pleasantly surprised when they see our pricing. It can be a double-edged sword because some people think that good art must have a high price tag. They may be put off by the lower prices, but once they realize the same art pieces would be twice as much at a gallery imposing a 50% commission, they understand how our pricing is possible,” said LaStella.

Show time!

Although all member artists always have their work on display, every month one artist is selected, and their collection is highlighted. 

November’s featured artist is John Franco, a retired construction inspector, who started painting when he was nine years old.

“After the experience of keeping my work to myself for most of my life, I don’t believe in turning myself into a commodity. I work with whatever I want to create images – photos, ideas, my drawings, jokes, whatever. I’ve painted a flag girl in the street, still life compositions, and outdoor concerts, as well as abstract constructions based on closed shapes, open shapes, straight lines, and color,” said Franco. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 8 from 4 to 6pm. The public is welcome to attend the soiree.

Last month’s featured artist was Evelyn LaStella who exhibited her collection, “The Fine Line Between Fact and Fiction.” This series of abstracted floral oil paintings celebrates exaggerated color and scale, features shapes within shapes, and emphasizes line work.

“At Art Gallery 71, each member artist can be featured every two years. The featured artist is allocated extra wall space and the front window in addition to their normally allocated space. After working on a new series of paintings for a year or more, it is very satisfying to have the space to display them together, as a body of work. The featured artist show is like the end of a well-loved chapter of art making that frees me to start something completely new. It is also wonderful to welcome friends and visitors to a reception and thank them for their encouragement and for just being art lovers,” said LaStella.

Art Gallery 71 is a participant in Rhinebeck Arts Walk, which runs on the third Saturday of every month from May through October. Via the event, art enthusiasts and community members are welcome to visit all the art venues in Rhinebeck Village. They’re invited to join Art Gallery 71 for a wine reception, held from 4 to 6pm.

Beyond the monthly receptions, Art Gallery 71 hosts occasional artist demonstrations and other events. Interested parties are invited to visit Art Gallery 71’s website to sign up for the email distribution list, which sends out notifications of gallery events.

More info …

Although the gallery is structured as an LLC, it operates as a not-for-profit organization. “The LLC partners do not pull money out of the gallery. All fee income is reinvested into the gallery so we can maintain and improve its operation,” said LaStella. In this way, it is a labor of love for the LLC partners.

The gallery is currently at full capacity. Depending on artist turnover, once or twice annually, membership opportunities tend to open-up. The gallery maintains a waiting list of artists who have expressed interest in joining.

When an opportunity arises, waitlisted artists are contacted via email and the “Call for Artists” application and jury process begins. Any artists who are interested in becoming members can contact Art Gallery 71 through its website.

Although the gallery has capacity for 23 member artists, it permits up to four of them to pay a premium monthly fee so that they don’t have to gallery sit or perform gallery jobs. Regular working members pay $125 per month. Non-working members pay $200 per month. In both cases, the member pays no commission on sold work.

Since member fees must cover the gallery’s rent and other expenses, Art Gallery 71 doesn’t have the budget for paid staff. “We think this serves as a benefit because it means that visitors will always come into contact with a local artist when they come in,” said LaStella.

Go in and see for yourself. The gallery is open every Friday and Saturday from noon to 6pm. On Sundays and holiday Mondays, it is open from 10am to 4pm.

To learn more about Art Gallery 71, visit them in person at 71 East Market Street in Rhinebeck, NY. Call (845) 516-4878 or go online artgallery71.com.