Lala Montoya – Solo Art Exhibition in the Victorian Gallery Logan Lapointe – Solo Art Exhibition in the Reception Gallery John McGiff – Solo Art Exhibition in the Hancock Gallery
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson
The Hudson Valley is brimming with hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Often, you might pass by places without realizing they house galleries or spaces open for public exploration. The Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center is one such treasure. Situated at 9 and 12 Vassar Street in the historic Mill Street-North Clover District of Poughkeepsie, these historic buildings host three galleries. Currently, they feature exhibits running through the end of December, including solo exhibitions by Lala Montya in the Victorian Gallery, Logan Lapointe in the Reception Gallery, and John McGiff in the Hancock Gallery.
Since 1981, the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center has served as a vital hub for professional and community artists and educators in theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. Their two Victorian-era Italianate buildings, listed on the National Historic Registry since 1972, were originally funded in the late 19th century by brothers and philanthropists John Guy Vassar, Jr. and Matthew Vassar, Jr., nephews of Matthew Vassar, the founder of Vassar College. In an average year, the center curates 16 art exhibitions, leases our VBI Theater and Grand Parlor to 25 to 30 organizations and individuals for various productions and presentations, and collaborates with local civic-minded groups and government institutions on numerous culturally enriching programs.
Lala Montoya’s exhibition presents her “The Right to” series, which underscores the stark realities of conflict and human rights violations. This series invites viewers to reflect on how we can collectively safeguard these fundamental rights, fostering empathy and awareness. A mixed-media artist born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Montoya draws inspiration from the rich abundance of nature around us and within us, particularly in how it is expressed through the body and the essence of Life itself. Her compelling earthen art encompasses ceramics, wood carving, painting, and printing blocks. Through these diverse mediums, she aims to illuminate the beauty of time and age, bringing to light the subtle details that are often overlooked in our relentless pursuit of progress and perfection.
Logan Lapointe’s exhibition features a diverse collection of works inspired by the outdoors. Lapointe studied Visual Arts at SUNY New Paltz and has showcased his art at several venues, including Greenpoint Gallery in Brooklyn, Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, Rogal Gallery in New Paltz, People’s Cauldron in Stone Ridge, and Peace Nation Cafe in Kingston.
John McGiff’s exhibition showcases his series titled “Ragamala Houses.” Traditionally, Ragamala paintings blend music, poetry, and visual art, exemplifying the interconnectedness of artistic forms in India. In this series, McGiff marries intricately patterned tapestries with structures featuring broken floorboards, doors hanging off hinges, and foliage thriving amidst the decay. Infused with elements of light, literature, movement, and the occasional canine companion, McGiff’s work illustrates the relationship between nature and human-made structures, inviting viewers to engage with each piece in a fresh and introspective way.
Visit this hidden gem and explore the galleries at your own pace, or arrange a guided tour for a more in-depth experience. Grab the 2025 schedule to ensure you never miss another chance to broaden your artistic horizons.
If you go:
Lala Montoya – Solo Art Exhibition in the Victorian Gallery
Logan Lapointe – Solo Art Exhibition in the Reception Gallery
John McGiff – Solo Art Exhibition in the Hancock Gallery
Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 9 & 12 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
Through December 31, 2024
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact: (845) 486-4571
www.cunneen-hackett.org/galleries/
