New Rochelle Council on the Arts

How fun is this? On Friday and Saturday (June 5 and 6) artists will be painting "en plein air" at locations around the Sound Shore!
The event culminates with a Silent Auction Saturday night at from
5 – 7 pm at BMW of Mamaroneck (236 W Boston Post Rd.) where you can see all the finished works and bid on your favorites!

Award winning author (and NRCA Board member!) Marisa Boan will be at the free Children's Event on June 6th, helping to celebrate Thomas Paine Day in New Rochelle! She will be creating a patriotic parade wand with all attending children! She's bringing her book "Paine" with her. Written especially for America250!

No, this photo is not from the Riviera or some other picturesque location -- it's right here in New Rochelle!

It's "En Plein Air" day: The grounds of New Rochelle High School have been transformed into an outdoor art studio, with students taking the day off from classes to paint outside around the lake in front of the Gothic style high school building.

This annual event has been going on for more than 25 years, since 2005 when art teachers Alexandra Rutsch Brock, Scott Seaboldt and Moira McCaul implemented the idea. (The tradition of painting en plein air began with the Impressionists, whose work captured the effects of light on the landscape.) Alexi is retiring so this is her last En Plein Air day. 😔

It's wonderful to watch the kids painting -- a great reminder that beauty and art still matter! Walk by any time before 2 pm.

Support the Tutti Bravo fundraiser:

VOICES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: SONGS, POETRY AND MONOLOGUES BY PATRIOTS AND LOYALISTS

Performance includes songs that were popular during the Revolutionary War, selected monologues from the Tutti Bravi production, "PATRIOTS OR LOYALISTS?", and poetry by Thomas Paine and other Patriots.

Buffet, wine and soft drinks with food from local area restaurants; original performances by Tutti Bravi actors, singers and writers; exciting Silent Auction prizes; 50-50 raffle.

Sunday, May 31st at 2 pm
at Trinity Episcopal Church
311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle

When you visit "The World of Ugo Mochi" exhibit don't overlook the vintage enamel-top table -- designed by Mochi -- topped with postcards, brochures and stickers donated by the artist's family.

Why is this part of our nation’s history missing in the classroom? Meet us there.

Put some poetry in your Monday!

The NR Fund invites everybody to Poetry Out Loud on Monday, May 18! 💜

Come experience an evening full of imagination, courage, laughter, and heartfelt poems from young writers across the school district.
For 28 years, The Jeremy Scheinfeld Publishing Center and the NR Fund have brought together families, educators, and community to celebrate the original voices of students in grades 3–6 — and we'd love for you to be part of it.

It's free. It's open to everyone. Come support our young poets.
See you there. 💜

📍Whitney Young Auditorium, New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Rd
📅 Monday, May 18, 2026
⏰ 7:00 p.m.

Thanks to all who joined us for the wonderful Opening Reception for "The World of Ugo Mochi" at the NRCA Rotunda Gallery. We were especially grateful to have members of the artist's family with us. Special thanks to the dynamic Jean Tartaglia who spoke about her father and their homes in New Rochelle (first on Paine Avenue and then on Orchard Place).

Ugo Mochi resided in New Rochelle but he was known around the world as a sculptor, illustrator and designer -- his art is in the collections of Windsor Castle, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History and the Berlin Museum of Natural History. An iron version of his outline artwork tops the pedestrian-only Asia Gate (Boston Road and Bronx Park South at E. 180th St.) at the Bronx Zoo.

Step into "The World of Ugo Mochi" through June 30th at the NRCA Rotunda Gallery at City Hall (515 North Avenue, New Rochelle) and be charmed by the fascinating technique of an artist with a distinctive vision.

And don't miss the postcards, bookmarks and stickers -- donated by the Mochi family -- on a Mochi table (yes, he designed furniture too!) To learn more about Ugo Mochi visit the website his family maintains, ugomochi.com.