Putnam's Hudson Valley InterArts Center focuses on community building through the arts

PATTERSON -- The Hudson Valley InterArts Center opened its new 30,000-square-foot arts space on May 10, hoping to create a sense of community through the arts.

The center will offer classes in painting, ceramics, drawing, singing, yoga, meditation and many other options taught by artists and musicians to "anyone in the community who would benefit from it," according to center's website.

“Our vision for Hudson Valley InterArts is to be an inclusive place where people can build meaningful relationships through the arts,” Vicki Sylvester, chief executive officer of Community Based Services, Inc., which works with the Hudson Valley InterArts Center, said on the event's web page. “We are excited to offer professional artist-led classes that cater to all abilities, providing expressive outlets for people to lead meaningful and engaged lives.”

InterArts Center aims to combat loneliness, isolation

According to Taylor Martin, program director for the Hudson Valley InterArts Center, the new space began to come together about two and half years ago.

Community Based Services, Inc. had already been serving people with developmental disabilities through its Without Walls day program for adults with disabilities, its Cultivating Dreams farm program, its Good Reasons Dog Treat bakery and several other initiatives.

But, according to Martin, staff noticed that the Patterson area didn't have many programs focused on building community.

“About a year ago," Martin said, "the surgeon general (Vivek Murthy) made a statement about this epidemic of loneliness, and how there was a real need for more community connection, classes and community building activities. Creating (the Hudson Valley InterArts Center )... allows us to share this beautiful space with the community."

"One of our major services is providing community resources and ... building community around the arts, around music, around healing," Martin said.

Extended programming provided by the InterArts Center includes classes for adults, seniors, kids and families, at all times of the day and evening.

For more information about the Hudson Valley InterArts Center's expanded programming, check out the organization's Events page.

Samantha Antrum is the community news and outreach reporter for The Journal News/lohud. She reports on cultural and social justice issues and events. You can reach her by email at santrum@lohud.com or through her Instagram, @samantrum.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Patterson NY's InterArts Center wants to build community through arts