West Nyack, NY — The Rockland Center for the Arts is presenting “Lost Arts,” a month-long exhibition highlighting traditional artistic techniques that continue to survive and evolve in a rapidly digital world. The exhibit opened April 25 and will remain on view through May 30 at RoCA’s campus on South Greenbush Road in West Nyack.
The exhibition focuses on tactile and labor-intensive art forms that have become less common in mainstream contemporary culture, including blacksmithing, embroidery, silverpoint drawing, photogravure printing, quilting, wood carving, rug hooking, book arts, and cut-paper design. Organizers say the goal is to spotlight artists who continue to work within highly specialized disciplines that often require years of technical training and practice.
According to RoCA, “Lost Arts” explores the continued relevance of handmade processes at a time when much of modern creative work has shifted toward digital production methods. The exhibit encourages visitors to examine both the craftsmanship and patience involved in these traditional forms of artistic expression.
The exhibition features work by several contemporary artists, including Béatrice Coron, James Garvey, Ruth Geneslaw, Lothar Osterburg, Mary Tooley Parker, and Robyn Ellenbogen. Their work spans a range of mediums rooted in traditional techniques, with each artist bringing a contemporary interpretation to historically established practices.
RoCA will conclude the exhibition with a public closing reception on Saturday, May 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is intended to celebrate both the artists and the exhibition’s themes of preservation, craftsmanship, and artistic process. Following the reception, participating artists will join visitors for an informal artist talk scheduled for 4 p.m.
During the discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their creative methods, the materials involved in their work, and the challenges of maintaining traditional artistic disciplines in modern art spaces. Organizers say the event is designed to provide visitors with additional insight into how each piece is conceived and created.
The May 30 events also mark the final opportunity for the public to view the exhibition before it closes.
Gallery hours for “Lost Arts” are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and during Memorial Day weekend.
Founded to support arts education and cultural engagement in Rockland County and the surrounding region, RoCA describes its mission as inspiring, educating, and enriching the community through the creation, teaching, and presentation of the arts. The organization offers exhibitions, classes, workshops, and cultural programming throughout the year.
RoCA officials say exhibitions such as “Lost Arts” are intended not only to showcase artistic skill, but also to encourage broader public participation in cultural experiences and appreciation for hands-on creative traditions that may otherwise fade from public awareness.
The Rockland Center for the Arts is located at 27 South Greenbush Road in West Nyack.
For more information about the exhibition or upcoming programs, visit Rockland Center for the Arts or call 845-358-0877.
