A former paper/textile factory built before the American Revolution that has been home to the Garner Arts Center since 2003 recently unveiled its new gallery/event space highlighting fabric/textile artists from across the region.
Located in the hamlet of Garnerville in Rockland County, Robin Rosenberg, president, has championed the rebirth and repurposing of the dormant mill her father bought after it went on the market in the 1990s. It became the Garner Arts Center (GAC) in 2003, attracting more than 2,000 visitors in its first year and growing exponentially ever since it debuted.
Its newest addition, the $400,000 Ned Harris Education Center, named in honor of the late photographer and GAC supporter, was funded in part by the New York State Council for the Arts and will provide resident and visiting artists with a new event/exhibition space as well as a reception hall for the complex. Originally slated to open in 2011, Hurricane Irene put the Harris Center project underwater for several years. “NYSCA is proud to have provided critical capital funding to the Garner Arts Center, which after 12 long years has reopened its doors to a new gallery and visitor center,” said Mara Manus, executive director of the New York State Council on the Arts.
“We’ve put a lot of work into it and had a lot of help from our local community,” said Rosenberg. “To remain environmentally friendly and sustainable, we’ve installed radiant tubing under the floor and heat pumps to help keep it warm and comfortable, as well as air conditioning — at the same time, we remained true to the building’s original structure. It will now serve as a great gallery space and meeting place for our artists and guests.” The fabric/textiles show continues every weekend through April 21 (closed Easter Sunday.)
