Rockland Artist And Educator Opens Store Front Gallery And Event Space

NYACK-PIERMONT, NY - From Artist Katie Elevitch: Oct. 20th is the Opening Reception for 95 ½ Main's Inaugural Art Exhibition :"Incredible Creature: Inside/Out,” a group show curated by Katie Elevitch. Incredible Creature: Inside/Out Features: Michael Calabro, Kris Campbell, Julia Grosso, Gretchen Heinel, Emily Orling, Diane Rosen, Lauren Rudolph, Dan White and more...

Incredible Creature: Inside/Out is a celebration and exploration of the fluidity of self. The mythological / biological / psychological: Our inner and outer human, animal and mineral. How do our creative/spiritual/intellectual selves intersect, inspire and ignite transformation and connection? How does this truly authentic creature manifest?

The title of Elevitch’s inaugural exhibition says a lot about her philosophy as an artist, educator and business person and the space that she’s created. “The incredible creature is you. It is us. And it is also this space; a living, breathing reflection and embodiment of the creativity in our midst,” Elevitch described in her curatorial statement.

95 ½ Main's programs and exhibitions invite you “inside our walls and your own. We are here to help you see, feel, celebrate, explore, learn, express inspire and become all of your authentic selves.”

Elevitch hopes to continue the artistic, philanthropic and progressive traditions in Nyack. “95 1/2 Main is a place to pay it forward, listen, connect, take action and help all of us live in a more incredible way.”

About 95 ½ Main Owner/Director Katie Elevitch:

Katie Elevitch is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, band leader and recording artist who has shared stages and written, recorded and performed with, Grammy- and Emmy-Nominated jazz and rock musicians and producers.

A distant cousin of Bob Dylan, Elevitch's live performances and recorded original works have been praised by the Village Voice, The Big Takeover, Lucid Culture, and Obie/Bessie award winning poet/playwright Carl Hancock Rux, among others. Elevitch has toured Europe and headlined such NYC venues as The Blue Note, Joe's Pub and the Mercury Lounge.

Also an educator, creativity coach and community organizer, Katie teaches music, storytelling, performance poetry, and songwriting classes and workshops to kids and adults in the lower Hudson Valley, with an emphasis on girls, women and the LGBTQ community.

In 2016 and 2017, she was a featured performer and educator at the Garner Arts Festival, in Garnerville, NY, as well as a visiting teacher for Garner Art Center's arts education programs for the local public schools.

In the Spring of 2017, Elevitch launched her popular Women's Storytelling Night Events, “Nevertheless, She...” which feature women from the Hudson Valley and Nyack area telling their true stories, with Elevitch as curator, host, producer and open mic/workshop facilitator. Installment 3, in September 2017, had a women in politics and leadership theme and featured Maureen Porette, running for Rockland County Executive.

Connecting the arts to community awareness and action is important to Elevitch, and in June of 2016, she instigated, organized and produced a community wide fundraiser and visibility campaign with the Nyack Art Collective for the Rockland County Pride Center in Nyack, NY.

A graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University with a B.A. in Women's Studies/Concentration Music, Elevitch has also studied music/writing/performance at Mannes College of Music, The New School, NYU, Skidmore College, WOW Cafe, and Omega Institute.

In addition to her over 30 years of arts education and accomplishments, Elevitch is also an experienced business consultant, with over 15 years working in financial management for small arts related businesses and non-profits.

About 95 1/2 Main
95 ½ Main is an intimate venue for exhibiting, showcasing, teaching and inspiring original and new works of visual, literary, musical and performing arts. It is our mission to help nurture and validate authentic creative expression for all, with a focus on women, girls and the LGBTQ community.

We partner and collaborate with local artists, arts organizations and businesses to offer programming and events that help connect us to ourselves and one another, in order to foster community, creativity, social justice awareness, and action.

FINE ART GALLERY
95 1/2 Main will feature visual artists in curated group and solo exhibitions in the fine art gallery, as well as in pop-up exhibitions and installations in the two window galleries. Work will be for sale and can be viewed during Gallery/Shop hours or by appointment.

SHOP
A gift shop will feature smaller affordable visual works as well as hand made and custom wearable/usable wares by local artisans and artists for sale.

ARTS WORKSHOPS & PROGRAMS
Visual arts workshops for adults and kids will be offered by exhibiting and local artists.

Elevitch, from a family of published writer/poets/editors, has strong ties to the literary arts community in Rockland and will be featuring poetry, prose, storytelling and other literary arts and performance workshops and events.

Also a certified Yoga Instructor with over 20 years experience in meditation, Elevitch will lead and offer weekly drop-in midday meditation for creatives, to help facilitate creative process and creative community.

WOMEN'S & GIRLS PROGRAMS & Offerings

• Women’s Storytelling Workshops/Open Mic and Events
• Women's New Moon Circles
• Girls Rock Band, Moms Rock Band
• Financial Management for Women
• Business Arts Management Internship Program
• Feminist Book Club

ART IN ACTION
95 ½ Main's “Art in Action” programs are pop-up art events and offerings in response to the community's needs for conversation and connection during times of political, social and environmental duress.

Image via Katie Elevitch; 95 1/2 Main