On Wednesday evening, January 14, the Newburgh Arts and Culture Commission (NACC) ratified the courthouse art jury’s chosen artist.  The commission approved the artist without revealing the artist’s name.  NACC Chair Stuart Sachs sent a follow-up email on Thursday announcing the name of the artist: Bryan Guglielmi.  The next step is for the nomination of Mr. Guglielmi to be presented to the city council for their approval of the $75,000.00 commissioned work, which would then be installed in the new Newburgh Courthouse.

Mr. Guglielmi was a student of Garin Baker, current NACC commissioner and former chair of the commission.  Mr. Baker served on the jury for the selection process and had input in the selection of jurors.  Mr. Baker also hired Mr. Guglielmi to do work on his murals in the City of Newburgh.

NACC retroactively votes to approve sending letter for waterfront sculpture

According to Karen Conway, NACC commissioner, a letter was sent in support of a sculpture project by Greg Wyatt to the NEA from the NACC – without the commission having discussed it or met openly as a public body.  The commission voted to approve the action retroactively, with one dissenting vote.  Ms. Conway noted that it was a “time issue” due to the changeover in presidential administrations; the aim was to have the letter reach the current National Endowment for the Arts administrator, who will be stepping down soon.

How much will the project cost?  Ms. Conway suggested it would cost the city nothing, as the NEA and the sculptor would pay for the work destined for a waterfront location.  In an email on January 17, Ms. Conway clarified that the NEA was requesting that the city apply for an additional $10,000 grant for maintenance.

Commemoration of Burial Grounds at New Courthouse

Also at the meeting were Yaniyah Pearson and  Pam Krizek, who gave a presentation on the activities of their committee, which is organized around determining appropriate commemoration of the burial grounds at the new courthouse.

New NACC Website

In other business at the meeting, Mr. Baker’s son, Harrison Baker, gave a presentation on the new NACC website, which he is being paid to produce.

Part 1 of 11 Meeting Opening

Part 2 of 11 Presentation regarding commemoration of burial grounds at the new courthouse


Part 3 of 11 Report from Martha Zola, Director of Economic and Cultural Development


Part 4 of 11 Retroactive vote of approving letter endorsing Wyatt


Part 5 of 11 Presentation by Harrison Baker on the new NACC website


Part 6 of 11 Report on the NACC nominating committee


Part 7 of 11 Martha Zola enquires about the funding mechanisms committee


Part 8 of 11 Ratification of the chosen, unnamed artist for the courthouse commission


Part 9 of 11 Selection of a treasurer for NACC


Part 10 of 11 Garin Baker proposes joining Americans for the Arts


Part 11 of 11 Announcements and meeting conclusion