A New Tradition: Nyack’s Winter Window Painting

Tuesday, Dec 13 kicks off the 2016 edition of the Nyack Window Project, a streetscape exhibition  that pairs visual artists with local landlords to create original installations in empty storefronts.
This year the project spans 16 locations featuring the work of 15 artists. Artists range from prominent sculptor Rodger Stevens, graphic artist Johanna Goodman, mixed media artists Joanne Howard, fabric artist Robin Donohue Montignoni, and renowned window designer and stylist Molly Findlay. This year will also feature a Hopper House sponsored window created by children from the Nyack community and a Joseph Cornell themed window featuring the shadow box art of five different artists.
“It is so wonderful to see everyone from landlords to artists to local business owners all working together to make our village a little brighter and fill our storefronts with holiday cheer,” said Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White.
Festive windows are not new in Nyack. Nyack High School’s art students have been painting storefronts’ windows in the spirit of Halloween for decades.
The Nyack Window Project was conceived by award-winning set designer and Nyack resident Joanne Howard. Her 2015 entry created an imagined subterranean world of woodland critters fighting over stolen human treasures.  “I like the idea of a world underneath that we humans don’t see,” she said.
The windows will be shrouded in paper until Tuesday evening when there will be a community walk around to reveal each window. Prior to the big reveal, there will be an opening reception at the new Maura’s Kitchen, located on South Broadway, Nyack on Tuesday, December 13 at 5p. The exhibition runs through January 2017.

Nyack Window Project locations. Click image to enlarge.
Illustration by @2016 Shawna Handke

Nyack News and Views is a sponsor of the Nyack Window Project.

1. Maura’s Restaurant – S Broadway
2. Peter Chaney, Eyevolution – 42 S Franklin
3. Haile Binns at Casa del Sol – 41 Main Street
4. Kris Burns at Festoon – 95 Main Street
5. P. Ross – 89 Main Street
6. Athene Building – 10 N Broadway