“A resounding success” and “simply marvelous” were just two of the phrases used to describe the official unveiling of the paintings by Bronxville artists which were acquired by the Conservancy and are now on permanent loan to the Village. Over 150 members and their guests attended the reception at Village Hall on May 18th to view the art collection and admire its new home in the recently renovated building.
Under the direction of art historian Jayne Warman, the Conservancy was fortunate to assemble a group of paintings by local artists such as Bruce Crane, George Smillie, Henry Hobart Nichols, Mary Fairchild Low and her husband, Will Low. Over thirteen of these paintings grace the walls of the Trustees Room, front hall and the Mayor’s Office, thus regaining much of Bronxville’s history to be enjoyed by all our residents. To further enhance the building, vintage postcards and photographs of Bronxville scenes were enlarged and framed to be hung in its various offices and public areas. The portraits of former mayors were reframed to line the two major hallways on the first floor. Finally, contemporary photographs of Bronxville taken by Judith Watts Wilson were enlarged and framed as a permanent exhibition for the lower level of Village Hall. As Jayne Warman noted that day “Some extraordinary works slipped away from us” when “the contents of Masterton-Dusenberry house at 90 White Plains Road were put up for sale.” Nonetheless the Historical Conservancy has made great strides in ensuring that work by Bronxville’s artists slowly find their way back to the village for permanent display.
