Art Opening Receptions at Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center

The Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center will hold free public art opening receptions to kick off its November/December 2026 Art Exhibitions showcasing the works of Carolyn Schlam, Melissa Small Cooper and Cristal Ortiz. The receptions will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. in the Victorian Gallery at 9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, and the Reception and Hancock Galleries at 12 Vassar Street. Refreshments will be served.

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• Victorian Gallery @ 9 Vassar Street: See artwork by Carolyn Schlam, an award-winning American painter, sculptor, glass artist and writer based in the Hudson Valley who explores figuration in its many aspects — traditional, in which appearance and character are foremost; expressionistic, in which the inner life is heightened; and stylized, in which the image becomes iconic. The Victorian Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 

• Reception Gallery @ 12 Vassar Street: See artwork by Melissa Small Cooper, an oil painter and art educator based in the Hudson Valley whose artistic practice is rooted in a profound connection to nature, especially the therapeutic act of caring for flowers and plants. This connection, part meditative ritual, part creative catalyst, guides her exploration of light, shadow, and the subtle narratives that unfold within everyday moments. The Reception Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and during events at the VBI Theater.

• Reception Gallery @ 12 Vassar Street: See artwork by Cristal Ortiz, a contemporary artist from Sullivan County who primarily produces small-scale paintings that explore still life, botanicals, objects, and everyday things that invite a sense of beauty and intimacy. The Reception Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and during events at the VBI Theater.