Scarsdale Art Association Debuts Spring Art Show

If you're in the market for new art, you may need to look no further than the Scarsdale Public Library. There, the Scarsdale Art Association debuted their Spring Art Show this past weekend, an exhibit that features 44 paintings and two sculptures created by a host of local and community artists.

To coincide with the opening, the SAA presented a lecture by artist and Westchester Community College instructor Andrew Lattimore on Sunday. Speaking to a well-packed room, the Hartsdale native used slides to discuss his techniques on creating vivid and true-to-life portraits, namely the recent piece he was commissioned to create for former New York Governor George Pataki. After the lecture, the audience of fellow artists, students and SAA members engaged in a lively Q&A session, where Lattimore talked about everything from what angle to paint a subject, to when to varnish to the best canvas to choose (hint: not cotton). 

Lattimore, whose pieces are displayed in galleries all across the country, is no stranger to the SAA, having given lectures and juried events in the past.

"It's a great organization," he says, "I wish every community had associations like this. I think the biggest problem [in this country] is there is no support for the arts."

The SAA has been supporting local artists since its founding in 1938. Now boasting more than 170 members, including painters, sculptors, potters and mixed-media artists, the organization is made up of both professionals and hobbyists.

"Members have a chance to talk with other artists," explains organization president Robert Proctor. "Each member is at a different level, so you get to know other artists and you can talk about their ideas and technical skills."

In addition to introducing like-minded artists with one another, the SAA hosts six to seven events per year, the largest being the Outdoor Art Show in September at Chase Park. There, members can each display as many as 10 to 12 pieces of work. Other activities – demonstrations, competitions and dinners – are held throughout the year, usually at the library or the Scarsdale Girl Scout House Leahey Gallery.

For members like Alba Arellano, who joined just 4 months ago, the exposure is great. "I wanted to meet new artists from the area," she says, "I should have joined 10 years ago."

Arellano's painting "Little Flowers," a still life of potted flowers, is currently on display at the Spring Show. Her work, along with colorful abstracts, portraits and intricate beach and nature scenes showcase the wide variety styles of SAA members. The majority of pieces are on sale, with prices of paintings ranging from $100 to $2,500 each.

The exhibit is on display in the Scott Room of the Library until March 27 and is free and open to the public.