GARNER Arts Center Debuts National Exhibition Celebrating Artist-Educators

You’ve heard the phrase: “Those who can’t, teach”. But that’s never really been my experience in education. I’ve met many educators with a serious art practice, and wildly different artists who take teaching and learning quite seriously.” - Joe Fusaro 

GARNER Arts Center is pleased to host THOSE WHO CAN, our first national exhibition of artist-educators from across the United States and Canada. This gathering of 28 talented individuals and collectives who teach students of all ages offers an opportunity to engage with art and museum educators as professional artists whose practices extend their teaching and often inform it.

This exhibition will include multiple works by artists such as Yikui (Coy) Gu, who centers his Chinese immigrant experience as an entry point into exploring contemporary American society, and collaborative art makers such as Whoop Dee Doo (below), who create collaborative performances and inspire meaningful conversations that bring communities together.

Artists such as Marie Elcin use plein air painting to be outdoors more often, focus on observation, and find good reasons to travel beyond her hometown of Philadelphia. In contrast, artists such as Shelby Smith focus on more formal qualities and constructions, using non-traditional approaches to sculpture, such as wire dipped in Porcelain clay.

The artists featured in THOSE WHO CAN include: Mary Boo Anderson (CA), Nathan Asplud (CA), Jeannine Bardo (NY), Gregg Emery (NY), Alicia Gifford (FL), Mary Goldthwaite (NH), Dennis Greenwell (WA), Yikui (Coy) Gu (PA), Dana Joy Helwick (NY), Jeanne Hoel (CA), Sarah Kolker (PA), Andrea Mancuso (NY), Jennie Maydew (IL), Danielle McDonald (NY), Alex Mendez (IL), Ariana Mygatt (MD), Hugo Rojas (NY), Jocelyn Salaz (NM), Robb Sandagata (MA), Nikki Sandschaper (NY), Julia Soderholm (CAN), Sean Sweeney (CT), Ty Talbot (WA), Peter Tresnan (NY), Catherine Walker (LA), Jack Watson (NC), and Whoop Dee Doo (USA). 

The stories and fascinating details about each artist are collected in the THOSE WHO CAN exhibition catalogue, designed by Reid Parsekian, and available at the gallery or by ordering a copy during the course of the show. For advance copies, please email joe@garnerartscenter.org 

You’re invited! School and community groups are invited to schedule a special tour of the exhibition during the run of the show with the artists or curator. Please call (845) 947-7108 for more information or email info@garnerartscenter.org

 Dates: May 16 through June 29, 2026 Gallery Hours: Thursdays 4-8pm, Fridays 2-5pm, Saturdays and Sundays 1-5pm 

WHERE: Building 35 Gallery, GARNER Arts Center 

ADDRESS: GARNER Historic District, 55 West Railroad Avenue, Garnerville, NY 10923

FOR APPOINTMENTS: (845) 947-7108 / info@garnerartscenter.org For further information, please contact: Joe Fusaro, Curator and Director of Gallery Operations joe@garnerartscenter.org

About GARNER Arts Center: 

Mission 

GARNER Arts Center is an interdisciplinary arts center that advances the creation and presentation of contemporary, experiential art within a repurposed 19th-century textile mill complex. By providing access to a wide range of art forms, the organization strives to enrich, educate, and connect diverse audiences. GARNER Arts Center is committed to igniting and realizing artistic ideas that emerge in response to societal, economic, historic, and environmental stimuli.

Vision 

GARNER Arts Center’s vision is for an enduring, inclusive artisan settlement that fosters a thriving arts, business, and cultural district that encourages collaboration between makers and the creative sector. GARNER seeks to be a catalyst for just and sustainable economic growth in its Hudson Valley host community. GARNER Arts Center is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

GARNER Arts Center – Social Media: Facebook & Instagram: @garnerartscenter