The Hudson Valley provides many extraordinary opportunities for local and non native artists. Among these opportunities is Women’s Studio Workshop, located on Binnewater Road in Rosendale, New York. The mission of WSW is to operate and maintain an artists’ workspace that encourages the voice and vision of individual women artists, provides professional opportunities for artists at various stages of their careers, and promotes programs designed to stimulate public involvement, awareness, and support for the visual arts.
In 1974, four amazing women, Ann Kalmbach, Tatana Kellner, Anita Wetzel, and Barbara Leoff Burge founded Women’s Studio Workshop.They were committed to developing an alternative space for artists to create art and share their skills with others. Back then, in a two story, single-family house, etching was conducted in the living room, papermaking in the attic and screen-printing in the basement. Public programming provided a regular workshop series and special programs that featured the works of women artists. In 1983, WSW moved to a historic building which formerly housed the Rosendale Cement Company Store and Post Office in the town of Rosendale. The new BAC (Binnewater Arts Center) was a significant advancement for WSW as it allowed both exhibitions and studio programs to be housed under one roof. The BAC also made it possible for WSW to offer Artist-in-Residence grants, a well developed Summer Art Institute, and provide opportunities for young women artists through an internship program. These visual art programs allowed WSW to become the leading women’s art facility in the country; a standing they proudly continue to identify with today.
40 years later, the same four women who founded WSW remain actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the studio. Joined by a new generation of vivacious staff, WSW continues to enhance its programing so that they may provide the richest experiences for artists across the country and, progressively from around the world.
When asked why Women’s Studio Workshop has been a customer of Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers for the last 5 years, Ann Kalmbach states “It’s really all about customer service. Most insurance agents simply say, “Show me your current policy and I'll see if I can do better.” Bob actually came out to the studio, looked at the buildings and asked about usage and growth. He then built a policy that covered our needs at a much better price than our old policy. He has also made annual adjustments based on changes. He’s not your average insurance broker.
Currently, we are working with Kim. We constantly need Certificates of
Insurance for every organization, group, or government agency that we
are working with. She gets them out to me pretty much the same day I
ask for them, which is a tremendous help.
There is still time left this summer to take advantage of Upcoming Events & Opportunities that the WSW has planned. Visit their website @
w w w . w s w o r k s h o p . o r g to take a look at their
‘A r t i s t O p p o r t u n i t y C a l e n d a r’, Summer Art Institute, Summer Ceramic Classes and August Art Festival.
There is still time left this summer to take advantage of Upcoming Events & Opportunities that the WSW has planned. Visit their website @
w w w . w s w o r k s h o p . o r g to take a look at their
‘A r t i s t O p p o r t u n i t y C a l e n d a r’, Summer Art Institute, Summer Ceramic Classes and August Art Festival.
