WSAC's HISTORICAL TIMELINE 1979-2016
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1979
* Founding of the West Side Arts Coalition
1980
* Certificate of Incorporation
* Granted Not-for-Profit Corporation status under Section 501 (c) (3)
* Organized as a networking and support group for dancers, writers, actors, poets, musicians, visual artists and art organizations
1981
* WSAC newsletter debut
1983
* Special musical performance at Symphony Space, “Celebration,” composed by WSAC music chairman Noel da Costa
1983-97
* Annual Open Studios Tours
1984
* First annual Cork Gallery exhibit at Lincoln Center, New York City
1986
* Headquarters established at the Broadway Mall Community Center
1987
* First Visual Arts exhibition at the Broadway Mall, reported in a special broadcast, “The Big Apple Minute,” on Channel 5
1988
* Participation in the Riverside Park Arts Festival, sponsored by the City of New York Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Riverside Park Fund & Jazz Forum
1989
* First annual Black History Month exhibit
1990
* WSAC Arts Outreach: “Exhibit for the Benefit of the Homeless” at Goddard-Riverside Community Center. Guest artist Keith Haring
1991-94
* Participation in the NYC Parks Dept. International Boat Basin Festival
1995
* Special photography exhibit: “A Case against Tall Buildings and the Virtue of Recycled Ones” in collaboration with the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development
1996
* “AIDS: An Awareness Art Exhibit.” Guest of Honor, Congressman Charles B. Rangel
1998
* Creation of the Crafts Arts Division. WSAC Website debut
1999
* “20th Anniversary Celebration, Salon 2000.” Guest of Honor, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields
* Re-establishment of the Poetry Division
* WSAC Arts Outreach: First official visit by students of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. I.S. 131 from Chinatown to the Broadway Mall Community Center
* WSAC Open Studios Tour sponsored by the 92nd Street Y
* Introduction of new WSAC logo
2000
* First international exhibition at the Khan Museum, Ashkelon, Israel. Hosted by mayor of Ashkelon Benny Vaknin. Guest of Honor,
United States Cultural Attaché Julie Gianelloni Connor
* “Salute to Hispanic Heritage” exhibition. Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough
President’s gallery
* WSAC Membership Card debut
* Holiday Art Auction
2001
* Special fine arts and photography exhibition: “West Arts Coalition Celebrates the Parks, Monuments and Malls of New York City.”
Hosted by Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City
* Special photography exhibition: "So Good They Named It Twice – Images of New York, New York.” Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough President’s gallery (June-July)
* “A Salute to Hispanic Heritage-2: FIESTA!”Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough
President’s gallery (October-November)
2002
* Membership Meeting & Division Chair Elections
* Amsterdam Ave. Street Fair participation
* WSAC Art Bazaar - Art work, used books, bake sale, raffle, etc.
2003
* Found new venues for exhibits: Fine Arts & Photography
* Taller Boricua Gallery
* Weill Cornell Medical Library
* Healthy Pleasures Market
2004
* Levtenoff Chamber Players perform at 96 St. Mall Gallery
* Art & Extras Bazaar Fund Raiser Twenty-fifth Anniversary celebration
* Strauss Park (Art in the Park) a new outdoor venue for WSAC
2005
* WSAC continues 25th Anniversary celebration in open-air exhibit at Riverside Park, Cherry Walk
* New WSAC Logo competition organized
2006
* A new WSAC Logo is designed by Regina Chiu
* New venue at Morgan Art Space, Williamsburg, Bklyn. A documentary photo exhibit.
* Pot Luck Dinner
* WSAC stationery designed by Linda Lessner and Meyer Tannenbaum
* A new venue for exhibits Blick Gallery, Malverne, NY
* Evocative Expression, last WSAC art exhibit at Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center before final closing of gallery
2007
* Newsletter debuts in full color from black& white
* WSAC hosted first poetry reading given by Riverside Poets
* New venues: Second Presbyterian Church, Lafayette Grill Gallery
* WSAC participated with The Children’s Museum, Kaufman Cultural Center, Merkin Concert Hall, Bard College on steering committee for Upper West Fest celebration sponsored by Zabar’s & Symphony Space
* Carole Barlowe organized Fairway Market agreement to supply WSAC cheese for receptions
2008
* WSAC 30th Anniversary Salon Show
* Summer Solstice Festival, Make Music New York, WSAC presented an evening of music & poetry by Judith Davidoff & Gerardo Levy & Riverside Poets
* 2008 Upper West Fest continues to celebrate the neighborhood
* New venue, Tompkins Square Library
2009
* A salute to Mass Transit through photo exhibit hosted by Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer at the Office Gallery
* New venue, St. Frances College, Callahan Gallery, Bklyn., Fine Art & Photography
2010
* 96 St. Mall Gallery salutes Upper West Side with exhibit, Capturing Our Neighborhood
* WSAC photographers honor New York’s new park, The High Line through exhibit
* Painters Salute to Planet Earth, hosted by Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer at the Office Gallery
2011
* New venue, Countee Cullen Library
* DNA info featured WSAC in article “Former Restroom Now Showcases Art” by Leslie Albrecht (reporter) & Caroline Jumpertz (editor)
* “Fall: Rising Above 9/11” show commemorated tenth anniversary of 9/11
* Debut of WSAC’s new Weebly Website
2012
* Introduction of WSAC’s Newsletter online
* New venue, American Youth Hostel
* WSAC at Manhattan Family Days Street Fair organized by Columbus Amsterdam BID
* In memory of Isaiah Sheffer 1935-2012 co-founder of Symphony Space & one of the seminal founders of WSAC
2013
* WSAC featured in Blog Site, Untapped Cities “NYC’s West Side Arts Coalition is Housed in a Former Restroom on the Broadway Mall" column written under byline AFineLyne (Lynn Lieberman)
* The introduction of Solo Shows for our WSAC membership at the Broadway Mall Community Center Gallery
* Gale Brewer, NY Council Member District 6 came to 96 St. Mall Gallery for “Winter Warm-Up” reception 1/5/13 to show support for WSAC. She wrote WSAC a glowing testimonial.
* Scott Stringer sent WSAC a testimonial, after our final exhibit, before leaving the Office of Manhattan Borough President
2014
* January passing of Meyer Tannenbaum 1918 – 2014, one of the seminal influences in the creation and continuation of the WSAC
* Launched the Members’ Market Place on WSAC Website
* New venue, La Galeria at Boricua College April 4 – 25, fine arts exhibit
* WSAC artists exhibit their work in the September, Broadway Street Fair at 96th_106th Street
* West Side Arts Coaliton hosted an exhibit of artists from Kazakhstan, “The Voice of the Eternal Steppe,” October 19-26, 2014
2015
* Blouin Gallery Guide, November 2015, full page advertisement for WSAC designed by MeeHyun Gerstein
2016
* WSAC granted sponsorship from 4imprint.com, a promotional products Co., 300 blue carry-all totes with white WSAC logo
* New venue, La Galeria at Boricur College Nov 30 - Dec 19, photography exhibit
* WSAC adds Parkside Poets to their sponsorship
2017
* WSAC Board of Directors adds a Publicity Chair January 2017
* On June 24th WSAC was presented with one Commendation from Scott M. Stringer, NYC Comptroller;
two Proclamations from Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President; and Helen Rosenthal, NYC Council Member,
for WSAC's dedication to art, culture, and public service in NYC over the past 37 years.
* WSAC hosted an Art-Nomads group exhibit, November 22-26. Artists from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Georgia, and Russia.
2018
* WSAC redesigned their Newsletter's heading as well as the 1st and last page February 2018
2019
* Updated WSAC By-laws
PAST PRESIDENTS:
1979 – 1980
Kenneth Juon, Fine Artist: Sculptor, Painter
1980 – 1983
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1983
Ray Matthews, Photographer, Video Filmmaker
1984 – 1985
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1986
Kay Oliver, Fine Artist
1987 – 1989
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1990 – 1991
Kenn Cooper, Arts Administrator
1992 – 1996
Yvonne Stafford, Craft Arts
1996 – 2001
Raúl Manzano, Fine Artist
2001 – 4/2003
Peter Reyes, Fine Artist
5/2003 – 8/2003
Xavier Figueroa, Fine Artist
9/2003 – 2007
Lori Weinless Fischler, Fine Artist
2008 – 2013
Patience Sundaresan, Fine Artist, Photographer
9/2013 – 2019
Anne Rudder, Fine Artist
9/2019 - Present
Linda Lessner & Margo Mead
All images and content © 1979 - 2023 West Side Arts Coalition unless otherwise indicated.
1979
* Founding of the West Side Arts Coalition
1980
* Certificate of Incorporation
* Granted Not-for-Profit Corporation status under Section 501 (c) (3)
* Organized as a networking and support group for dancers, writers, actors, poets, musicians, visual artists and art organizations
1981
* WSAC newsletter debut
1983
* Special musical performance at Symphony Space, “Celebration,” composed by WSAC music chairman Noel da Costa
1983-97
* Annual Open Studios Tours
1984
* First annual Cork Gallery exhibit at Lincoln Center, New York City
1986
* Headquarters established at the Broadway Mall Community Center
1987
* First Visual Arts exhibition at the Broadway Mall, reported in a special broadcast, “The Big Apple Minute,” on Channel 5
1988
* Participation in the Riverside Park Arts Festival, sponsored by the City of New York Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Riverside Park Fund & Jazz Forum
1989
* First annual Black History Month exhibit
1990
* WSAC Arts Outreach: “Exhibit for the Benefit of the Homeless” at Goddard-Riverside Community Center. Guest artist Keith Haring
1991-94
* Participation in the NYC Parks Dept. International Boat Basin Festival
1995
* Special photography exhibit: “A Case against Tall Buildings and the Virtue of Recycled Ones” in collaboration with the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development
1996
* “AIDS: An Awareness Art Exhibit.” Guest of Honor, Congressman Charles B. Rangel
1998
* Creation of the Crafts Arts Division. WSAC Website debut
1999
* “20th Anniversary Celebration, Salon 2000.” Guest of Honor, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields
* Re-establishment of the Poetry Division
* WSAC Arts Outreach: First official visit by students of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. I.S. 131 from Chinatown to the Broadway Mall Community Center
* WSAC Open Studios Tour sponsored by the 92nd Street Y
* Introduction of new WSAC logo
2000
* First international exhibition at the Khan Museum, Ashkelon, Israel. Hosted by mayor of Ashkelon Benny Vaknin. Guest of Honor,
United States Cultural Attaché Julie Gianelloni Connor
* “Salute to Hispanic Heritage” exhibition. Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough
President’s gallery
* WSAC Membership Card debut
* Holiday Art Auction
2001
* Special fine arts and photography exhibition: “West Arts Coalition Celebrates the Parks, Monuments and Malls of New York City.”
Hosted by Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, New York City
* Special photography exhibition: "So Good They Named It Twice – Images of New York, New York.” Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough President’s gallery (June-July)
* “A Salute to Hispanic Heritage-2: FIESTA!”Hosted by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields at the Manhattan Borough
President’s gallery (October-November)
2002
* Membership Meeting & Division Chair Elections
* Amsterdam Ave. Street Fair participation
* WSAC Art Bazaar - Art work, used books, bake sale, raffle, etc.
2003
* Found new venues for exhibits: Fine Arts & Photography
* Taller Boricua Gallery
* Weill Cornell Medical Library
* Healthy Pleasures Market
2004
* Levtenoff Chamber Players perform at 96 St. Mall Gallery
* Art & Extras Bazaar Fund Raiser Twenty-fifth Anniversary celebration
* Strauss Park (Art in the Park) a new outdoor venue for WSAC
2005
* WSAC continues 25th Anniversary celebration in open-air exhibit at Riverside Park, Cherry Walk
* New WSAC Logo competition organized
2006
* A new WSAC Logo is designed by Regina Chiu
* New venue at Morgan Art Space, Williamsburg, Bklyn. A documentary photo exhibit.
* Pot Luck Dinner
* WSAC stationery designed by Linda Lessner and Meyer Tannenbaum
* A new venue for exhibits Blick Gallery, Malverne, NY
* Evocative Expression, last WSAC art exhibit at Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center before final closing of gallery
2007
* Newsletter debuts in full color from black& white
* WSAC hosted first poetry reading given by Riverside Poets
* New venues: Second Presbyterian Church, Lafayette Grill Gallery
* WSAC participated with The Children’s Museum, Kaufman Cultural Center, Merkin Concert Hall, Bard College on steering committee for Upper West Fest celebration sponsored by Zabar’s & Symphony Space
* Carole Barlowe organized Fairway Market agreement to supply WSAC cheese for receptions
2008
* WSAC 30th Anniversary Salon Show
* Summer Solstice Festival, Make Music New York, WSAC presented an evening of music & poetry by Judith Davidoff & Gerardo Levy & Riverside Poets
* 2008 Upper West Fest continues to celebrate the neighborhood
* New venue, Tompkins Square Library
2009
* A salute to Mass Transit through photo exhibit hosted by Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer at the Office Gallery
* New venue, St. Frances College, Callahan Gallery, Bklyn., Fine Art & Photography
2010
* 96 St. Mall Gallery salutes Upper West Side with exhibit, Capturing Our Neighborhood
* WSAC photographers honor New York’s new park, The High Line through exhibit
* Painters Salute to Planet Earth, hosted by Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer at the Office Gallery
2011
* New venue, Countee Cullen Library
* DNA info featured WSAC in article “Former Restroom Now Showcases Art” by Leslie Albrecht (reporter) & Caroline Jumpertz (editor)
* “Fall: Rising Above 9/11” show commemorated tenth anniversary of 9/11
* Debut of WSAC’s new Weebly Website
2012
* Introduction of WSAC’s Newsletter online
* New venue, American Youth Hostel
* WSAC at Manhattan Family Days Street Fair organized by Columbus Amsterdam BID
* In memory of Isaiah Sheffer 1935-2012 co-founder of Symphony Space & one of the seminal founders of WSAC
2013
* WSAC featured in Blog Site, Untapped Cities “NYC’s West Side Arts Coalition is Housed in a Former Restroom on the Broadway Mall" column written under byline AFineLyne (Lynn Lieberman)
* The introduction of Solo Shows for our WSAC membership at the Broadway Mall Community Center Gallery
* Gale Brewer, NY Council Member District 6 came to 96 St. Mall Gallery for “Winter Warm-Up” reception 1/5/13 to show support for WSAC. She wrote WSAC a glowing testimonial.
* Scott Stringer sent WSAC a testimonial, after our final exhibit, before leaving the Office of Manhattan Borough President
2014
* January passing of Meyer Tannenbaum 1918 – 2014, one of the seminal influences in the creation and continuation of the WSAC
* Launched the Members’ Market Place on WSAC Website
* New venue, La Galeria at Boricua College April 4 – 25, fine arts exhibit
* WSAC artists exhibit their work in the September, Broadway Street Fair at 96th_106th Street
* West Side Arts Coaliton hosted an exhibit of artists from Kazakhstan, “The Voice of the Eternal Steppe,” October 19-26, 2014
2015
* Blouin Gallery Guide, November 2015, full page advertisement for WSAC designed by MeeHyun Gerstein
2016
* WSAC granted sponsorship from 4imprint.com, a promotional products Co., 300 blue carry-all totes with white WSAC logo
* New venue, La Galeria at Boricur College Nov 30 - Dec 19, photography exhibit
* WSAC adds Parkside Poets to their sponsorship
2017
* WSAC Board of Directors adds a Publicity Chair January 2017
* On June 24th WSAC was presented with one Commendation from Scott M. Stringer, NYC Comptroller;
two Proclamations from Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President; and Helen Rosenthal, NYC Council Member,
for WSAC's dedication to art, culture, and public service in NYC over the past 37 years.
* WSAC hosted an Art-Nomads group exhibit, November 22-26. Artists from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Georgia, and Russia.
2018
* WSAC redesigned their Newsletter's heading as well as the 1st and last page February 2018
2019
* Updated WSAC By-laws
PAST PRESIDENTS:
1979 – 1980
Kenneth Juon, Fine Artist: Sculptor, Painter
1980 – 1983
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1983
Ray Matthews, Photographer, Video Filmmaker
1984 – 1985
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1986
Kay Oliver, Fine Artist
1987 – 1989
Carole Richard Kaufmann, Fine Artist
1990 – 1991
Kenn Cooper, Arts Administrator
1992 – 1996
Yvonne Stafford, Craft Arts
1996 – 2001
Raúl Manzano, Fine Artist
2001 – 4/2003
Peter Reyes, Fine Artist
5/2003 – 8/2003
Xavier Figueroa, Fine Artist
9/2003 – 2007
Lori Weinless Fischler, Fine Artist
2008 – 2013
Patience Sundaresan, Fine Artist, Photographer
9/2013 – 2019
Anne Rudder, Fine Artist
9/2019 - Present
Linda Lessner & Margo Mead
All images and content © 1979 - 2023 West Side Arts Coalition unless otherwise indicated.