Annual Appeal

On behalf of the Board, Staff and dedicated Volunteers who contribute to our ongoing success, we would like to share how your contributions to Byrdcliffe have supported our mission of providing the Community with diverse programming such as exhibitions, performances, classes and artists residences, and invite you to consider making a year-end donation today.

In 2024, we continued to forge forward with tremendous momentum at Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild. On behalf of the Board, Staff and dedicated Volunteers who contribute to our ongoing success, we would like to thank you and share how your contributions continue to support Byrdcliffe’s mission of providing the community with a diverse program of exhibitions, performances, classes, workshops, and artist residencies.

At the Arts Colony, with unrelenting commitment to its preservation, we kicked off the year with the replacement of nine roofs; renovation of four more cottages complete, to be folded into the long-range plan for a year-round AiR program, making year-round artist residencies now available at 10 cottages; and winterization of the first AiR communal building, the big project this fall.  

This year we welcomed 120 artists to the Artists-in-Residence Program, compared to 70 of two years ago. With concerted efforts to renovate and winterize residencies for the winter months, we continue to expand the Artists-in-Residency Program at the Byrdcliffe Colony. Our biggest accomplishment to date: Eastover now has well water and is finally heat controlled!

At the Byrdcliffe Theatre – The historic theater, fully renovated and winterized, has been busy this year with various programing and rentals, including performances by Jules Shear, School of Rock, Round the Bend Theater Co., Woodstock Fringe Festival, one-man show Spinning My Wheels and more. Please spread the word, the Theater is open for performance year round.

At Byrdcliffe’s Ceramic and Jewelry Studios, classes continue to create great artisans and wellcrafted pottery and jewelry. This year, in the tradition of the original utopian colony, several beautiful collaborative pieces were made by our program teachers, Rich Conti and Robin the Hammer for the Brydcliffe Gala Silent Auction.

At the Kleinert / James Center for the Arts
The gallery installed seven exhibitions in 2024, including the Doll Show, featured in Hyperallergic’s article, “10 Art Shows to see in Upstate NY this November.” Other exhibitions include Ordinary Alchemy, Convergence, the Annual AiR Exhibition, and Ford Crull’s “Luminous Intuitions.” In addition, the stunning artwork is complimented by our newly refurbished gallery floor.

None of this would have been possible without You!!

We are grateful to you, our dedicated supporters, in this time of change and regrowth. Please consider making your contribution today; your year-end financial support is greatly appreciated and is never taken for granted. Every donation directly impacts our organization to ensure we preserve our history and protect our future.

With gratitude,

Katharine L. McKenna
President, Board of Directors