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Croton Council on the Arts
Spring 2026
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85 pages
74 works
51 authors and artists
Fall 2025
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85 pages
97 works
53 authors and artists
Spring 2025
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84 pages
79 works
46 authors and artists
Fall 2024
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78 pages
94 works
56 authors and artists
Let's Talk on June 17
Roy Skodnick will discuss James Joyce's novel, Ulysses, at Symphony Knoll, 15 Mt Airy Rd S, Croton on Hudson, at 7:30 pm
Let's Talk on May 20
Enjoy the spooky, delicious, or silly sounds of literature. – Steve Jacoby
Let's Talk on Apr 15
Dr. Jeanne-Noel Mahoney will talk about the life and work of Virginia Woolf: a pioneering feminist and innovator of the "stream of consciousness" technique.
Let's Talk on Mar 18
March is Womens' History month. Kathy Walkup will talk about the the iconoclastic modernist writer Gertrude Stein.
Let's Talk on Feb 18
February is Black History Month – and Black history is American history. Roy Skodnick will talk about Langston Hughes, and other under-appreciated black poets.
Let's Talk on Jan 21
Let's talk about a book that you love: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, a short story – your love for it will inspire others.
— Love, Cornelia
Let's Talk
Dec 17, 2025
Christmas Party
The Owl and the Pussycat
Let's Talk
Nov 2025
Silvina López Medin
Click Here to view her website...
Let's Talk
Let's Talk is a literature group that meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
Let's Talk
Sept 2025
On the Road
by Jack Kerouac
Let's Talk
July 2025
Anna Karanina
by Leo Tolstoy
Let's Talk
Dec 2023
The Waste Land
by T. S. Eliot
Photographers of
Northern Westchester
PNW.crotonarts.org
PNW is a small and friendly group of photographers who meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month for friendship. mutual inspiration, and to share the love for photogrqaphy and digital art.
PNW members will share their AI-assisted art and puzzles.
Howard Robinson will explain how he uses AI to create engaging art from his photos.
Does every picture tell a story? We'll each share a fav that does … Join the fun!
Share your fav photo from 2025 at the February PNW meeting on Wed, Feb 4
Meetup at the Met Museum in NYC
Dec 9, 2025
Click Here to see pix from the meetup
At the Nov 5, 2025 meeting, Dennis Thornton talked about his marvelous still life project.
Oct 2025
Dance the Shore
by Michael Washburn
Hudson River Spring Festival
CCoA hosted the First Annual Hudson River Spring Festival on Mother's Day Weekend this year. Click on the pics (above) for a short video.
Hudson River Spring Festival
Some of Westchester's best fine artists and skilled artisans showed/sold their work. Parking & admission were free, and thousands atended.
Hudson River Spring Festival
Windrose served an elegant brunch, and mom got a mimosa and a rose! Children made complimentary Mother's Day Cards.
Hudson River Spring Festival
Hudson River Spring Festival
CCoA Mixers
Let's Get Together!
We have mixers where people who want to be a part of the arts community meet one another. The next one is ________. Everyone is welcome and you do not have to be a CCoA member.
CCoA Mixers
Let's Get Together!
CCoA Mixers
Let's Get Together!

Last Name
After you've entered your last name (above), click on the to the right of your last name, or pick one of the matching names that appear below.
Summer… finally!
July in Croton-on-Hudson brings long days, warm weather, and plenty of chances to enjoy our rivers, trails, and natural beauty. It’s a time to slow down a bit, recharge, and let inspiration find us.
This month, we’re celebrating that spirit with an Encaustic Demonstration by Lesa Cash, offered in collaboration with Croton Council on Arts & Humanities. Lesa will share the magic of this ancient beeswax and resin art form, showing techniques that weave nature directly into the work — flowers, wood, texture, and light.
Our Third Thursday’s series will feature Artists Happy Hour with Poetry Open Mic, followed by The Grand Lit with Westchester Poet Laureate Phylisha Villanueva. Additionally, we have invited an Art Council Guest: Ossining Arts Council — a fun way to meet members of our neighboring council.
And if June slipped by too quickly, you’ll find recaps at the end of the newsletter:
  • Drawing from Life with Beatrice diMartino
  • New Milford Art Festival
Contents
 

July Events

 

A Special "Encaustic Demonstration" with Lesa Cash

Maple Commons “Community Room” | 43-45 Maple St | Croton-on-Hudson
Registration required due to limited seating. Adults only.
July 11, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
This session is a demonstration, offering an inside look at several techniques using encaustic medium. Lesa will walk participants through a selection of foundational methods, explaining tools, materials, and processes while showing each step in real time.
Attendees will receive a takehome handout that includes a supply list, helpful tips, and a curated set of Lesa’s recommended YouTube tutorials for anyone who wants to explore further on their own.
In addition to the live demonstrations, samples of additional techniques — including those not covered during the session—will be on display. Lesa will discuss these pieces, explain how they were created, and answer questions about variations, materials, and creative possibilities.

Click Here for more info

 

CCoA and The Grand presents Third Thursdays: Artists Happy Hour and Poets Open Mic followed by The Grand Lit with Westchester Poet Laureate Phylisha Villanueva

The Grand | 130 Grand Street | Croton-on-Hudson
July 16, 2026
Artists Happy Hour: 5:00-7:00 pm
Poetry Reading: 6:15 pm
Poetry Open Mic: 5:45 pm
Free Admission
This month we’re excited to share Artists Happy Hour with our neighbors from the Ossining Arts Council. We’re inviting all poets to sign up when you arrive for the Poetry Open Mic, which begins at 5:45 pm. Each participant will have up to 5 minutes, depending on the number of readers.
The Grand Lit will feature Phylisha Villanueva, Westchester Poet Laureate, delivering an exuberant, interactive performance that truly lights up the room. Her appearance is sponsored by Poets & Writers through the NYS Council on the Arts.
Let’s use this opportunity to spark creativity and strengthen the arts in our community.
Come early to sign up!
***** CCoA Art Video shown on Third Thursdays - Call for Art *****
Send us photos of your artwork - we’d love to feature your pieces on the big screen at The Grand. See the "Calls for Art" setion (below) for instructions on how to submit.
 

Let's Talk - with Cornelia Cotton

The Jacobys' Patio | 6 Lower North Highland Place | Croton-on-Hudson
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Rain Location: Symphony Knoll Community Room
There is so much more to explore in our survey of Russian literature. So far, we have only touched on Tolstoy and Nabokov -- and Chekhov. If you have read anything by the many other Russian writers -- have a favorite among them -- be prepared to share with us. It's vast territory. The nineteenth century is described as the "Golden" period" in Russian literature, and the 20th as the "Silver" period. This period contains several world-class poets who are little-known to us because of the difficulty of translation.
 

Get Involved Campaign

A huge shoutout to Judy Rayer, Valerie Leis, and Kara Wilson for bringing creative and cheerful energy to our Summerfest booth! Thanks to your warm welcomes and great conversations, we connected with so many neighbors — and we’re thrilled to celebrate the new memberships and generous donations that came in throughout the day.
As we look ahead to our 50th Anniversary, we’re gearing up for our first fundraising campaign to ensure we can provide high quality programs and events.
Your voices keep our community creative and connected. Tell us what inspires you, what you’d love to see, or how you’d like to get involved — we’re always listening at getinvolved@crotonarts.org.
As always, we are interested in holding more workshops and Artist talks. etc. Please click here to fill-out an online Event Application Form if you have an idea for our community.
 

Member News and Happenings

Members can now submit their events for inclusion in our newsletter, social media and the Westchester events calendar. Please send your flyer, press release and any text or images you want published to JudyRayer@crotonarts.com by the 23rd of each month.

 

Shem Guibbory

StoryTelling at the Andersen Statue
Hans Christian Anderson Storytelling Concert Series
Central Park by the Boat Basin | NYC
August 29 at 11 am

Click Here for more info

 

Anne de Mare

Documentary: Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Documentary filmmaker (and proud Croton Resident) Anne de Mare (click here for bio) produced and edited the upcoming Once Upon a Time in Harlem.
Based on footage shot in 1972 by the legendary William Greaves, the film premiered at this year’s Sundance and was featured in the prestigious Quinzaine des Cinéastes in Cannes. It opens in select theaters nationwide on October 16th. Click here to watch a trailer on YouTube.
 

Ossining Waterfront by Chad Crume

Chad Crume

Light and Land
Tompkins Corners Cultural Center | 729 Peekskill Hollow Road | Putnam Valley, NY
Show Dates: June 28 - Aug 21
Opening Reception: June 28th, 2-4 pm
Website: Chad.Crume.Art

Click Here for more info

 

Scarborough 3 pivot triptych by Chad Crume

Chad Crume

PaperWorks 2026: Transformations
Upstream Gallery | 8 Main St | Hastings-On-Hudson, NY
July 2 - July 19, 2026
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 5th, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Paper is remarkable. It is a renewable resource, forgiving, relatively inexpensive and endlessly variable.  Each year since 2014, Upstream has hosted a show devoted solely to work on paper. 
Website: Chad.Crume.Art

Click Here for more info

 

Lesa Cash

Solo Art Show
Putnam Valley Library | 30 Oscawana Lake Rd | Putnam Valley, NY 10579
Show Dates: July 1 - July 31, 2026
Meet & Greet Lesa: July 7, 6-8 pm
Purchase inquiries: @lcasheart on Instagram

Click Here for more info

 

Jennifer Larrabee

Quilts and Abscraptions by Jennifer Larrabee
Hendrick Hudson Free Library | 185 Kings Ferry Road | Montrose, NY
Show Dates: July 7 – August 26, 2026
Reception: Sunday, July 19, 2-4 pm

Click Here for more info

 

Past Events

 

Life Drawing with Beatrice diMartino - Upstairs at The Grand

The Grand | 130 Grand Street | Croton-on-Hudson
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 5:30-7:30 pm
Beatrice absolutely knocked it out of the park! What a fabulous event — a stunning model, a joyful crowd, and creativity buzzing in the air. We were thrilled to be nearly at capacity with 19 participants, all sketching, and soaking up the energy.
The drinks flowed, the pencils flew, and the room felt alive with intensity. We’re already hearing calls for an encore, and honestly ... we’re hoping to bring this one back very soon.
 

CCoA is partnering with the New Milford Arts Commission!

New Milford Art Festival
Saturday, June 27, 9:00-4:00 PM
Sending a big THANK YOU to the New Milford Arts Commission for welcoming us so warmly and letting us be part of their beautiful Arts Festival on the Green! Our CCoA booth was buzzing all day with artwork from Maxine Young, Judy Rayer, and Chad Crume — and unlike back home in Croton-on-Hudson, the weather was absolutely perfect. We met so many wonderful artists and makers, enjoyed great conversations, and even sold some of our work! It was a joyful day of creativity, connection, and sunshine. We can’t wait to do it again next year.

Click Here for more info

 

Community Events

 

Antonio Mora

Abstract Foundation
Croton River Artisans | 9 Old Post Rd S | Croton-on-Hudson
June 3-28, 2026
Artist Reception: June 13, 4-6 pm

Click Here for more info

 

Calls for Art, Artists and Submissions

 

Call for Art

CCoA Art Video shown on Third Thursdays - Call for Art
Deadline: July 13
Send us photos of your artwork — we’d love to feature your pieces on the big screen at The Grand. With your permission, they can shine in a onetime showing or help brighten future CCoA promotional materials. To submit:
  • Click here to start an email to Judy Rayer.
  • Attach one or two photos of your artwork.
  • Let us know if we could use them to promote CCoA's activities.
 

Call for Artists

Call for Artist in Residence
KinoSaito
AIR Open Call
Application Deadline: July 5

Click Here for more info

 

Call for Art

CALL FOR 4" x 6" POSTCARD ART
The Color of Compassion Online Exhibit
Submission Deadline: Sept 1, 2026
Click here to submit
Make a difference through your creativity!
Bluefield Exhibits proudly presents The Color of Compassion, an online exhibition fundraiser for ProFound Arts.
The Color of Compassion invites artists to create and donate original postcard-sized artworks that express kindness and hope. Together, these works will create a powerful exhibition that reflects care, compassion, and awareness.
The exhibit will run September 28 - December 28, 2026. Click here to submit

Click Here for more info

 

Call for Art

Cortlandt's 250th Photo Show at Cortlandt Town Hall | 1 Heady St | Cortlandt Manor, NY
Show dates: Oct 26, 2026 - Jan 15, 2027
Submission Deadline: Aug 31, 2026
More info: Click here
Capture the spirit of the Town of Cortlandt's and America's history in your photos, then click here to submit them.
 
 
The Croton Council on the Arts is a non-profit working to:
  • Make the arts a source of enjoyment and pride in Croton
  • Build a vital community of artists, art lovers, and creative people.
  • Help artists get their work out there!
You can send USPS mail to us at this address:
Croton Countil on the Arts
c/o Yoshimi Arai
7 Elm St
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
The council runs events and publishes a worldwide arts and literature journal called the New Croton Review (NCR) Website: (NewCrotonReview.com).
The people who run CCoA's events and projects are:
Yoshimi Arai*CCoA Treasurer
Jim Christensen*
JimChristenssen@crotonarts.org
 CCoA President, Photographers of Northern Westchester (PNW) group leader
Cornelia Cotton*Let's Talk group leader
Bruce Dollar*NCR Managing Editor, CCoA Website
Steve Jacoby*NCR Editor
Valerie Leis*NCR Art Editor, Local Color Show, 2026 Creative Womens' Project
Jeanne-Noel Mahoney*NCR Editor-in-Chief
Loomis MayerNCR Editor
Judy RayerPromotion, Community engagement, Get Involved Program, Newsletter Editor
Irina SinitchiGraphic designer for the newsletter and promotional materials
Kathy WalkupNCR Editor
* Denotes a CCoA Board of Directors member.
Croton has a long and continuing tradition of being a magnet for artists of all disciplines. The Croton Council on the Arts was born and grew out of this tradition and Croton’s 1976 Bicentennial celebrations. Local artists and supporters joined forces to stage events for the public in Croton and surrounding villages. Under poet and President Ruth Lisa Schechter’s dynamic leadership, the new council organized many productions in theater and dance, exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, and musical recitals and poetry readings. The Croton Review, a literary magazine, was published annually in the 1980s. Croton residents greeted these contributions to our Village with great enthusiasm and CCoA quickly became a valuable asset in the cultural life of our community.
CCoA is in constant need of volunteers to help us run our activities, and come up with new ones. It's also a great way to network and enhance your sense of community. CLICK HERE to send email to us if you have questions or want to get involved with CCoA activities.
The Croton Council on the Arts is a registered 501-C3 nonprofit in New York State. We greatly appreciate your donation, and we'll send you a receipt when we receive confirmation from PayPal™
Click Here to go to PayPal
Your donation will help us support the arts through a variety of programs. The Croton Council on the Arts is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. A copy of our most recently filed annual financial report may be obtained from the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau's Charities Registry at www.charitiesnys.com or by writing to us at crotonarts@gmail.com or at the USPS address below.
You can donate by clicking the PayPal button (above) – OR – by mailing a check payable to Croton Council on the Arts to us at:
  • Croton Council on the Arts
  • c/o Yoshimi Arai
  • 7 Elm St
  • Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
Fill out the form below to send an email to the council.
Click Here to send your email to CCoA
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