Circle of Friends
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson
As we move into the time of year when many of us pause to reflect on the importance of friendship, we’re reminded how deeply our lives are shaped by the people who inspire, support, and create alongside us. That same sense of connection is woven through the arts, where shared spaces, collaborative practices, and creative exchange often give rise not only to new works, but to lasting relationships. Cornell Creative Arts Center (CCAC), located at 129 Cornell Street in Kingston, New York, is proud to present Circle of Friends, an exhibition celebrating community, collaboration, and the creative spirit.
Circle of Friends features the work of artist and curator Penny Dell alongside an impressive lineup of fellow artists connected through the Poughkeepsie Arts & Action meetings and two vibrant Poughkeepsie arts hubs: the Community Printmaking Workshop at the historic Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory and nearby Fallkill Clayworks (part of Fallkill Creative Works).
These community studios—filled with the sound of printing presses cranking and clay spinning on potter’s wheels—offer more than just access to specialized equipment. They serve as creative gathering places where artists of all levels explore new techniques, share ideas, and form lasting friendships. Through open studios, workshops, and special events, their impact extends far beyond their walls, strengthening the cultural fabric of our region.
As an active member of both the Community Printmaking Workshop and Fallkill Clayworks, Penny Dell has developed a rich body of work and a deep network of creative relationships. In Circle of Friends, a selection of her prints, paintings, and ceramics forms the heart of the exhibition, while an array of fellow makers—printmakers, painters, sculptors, and ceramic artists—join her in filling the gallery with diverse and dynamic work.
With CCAC’s own ceramics studio and its proximity to Kingston’s growing network of print and maker spaces, this exhibition is a natural extension of the creative “circle” that connects Poughkeepsie and Kingston. Circle of Friends highlights how shared tools and shared spaces can lead to shared purpose.
For Dell, the exhibition is both personal and communal. “In a nutshell, in this show I’m getting to show my work while celebrating Poughkeepsie’s creative organizations and friends,” she explains. “I’m grateful to be part of the Printmaking at the Underwear Factory and also grateful that Fallkill Clayworks is also part of our creative campus. Both centers have wheels that permit us specific creative languages I value highly.”
Dell’s connection to CCAC was immediate: “When I saw the space at the Cornell Creative Arts Center, I felt right away that this would be the venue and visualized the artists and their works in the space.” Circle of Friends invites the public to experience that vision—an exhibition where shared spaces, shared tools, and shared stories create an ever-expanding community of art and artists.
Participating Artists: Jeff Aman, Paola Bari, Jim Barrett, Joan Belmar, Onaje Benjamin, Shirley Parker-Benjamin, Undine Brod, Randi Chalfin, Monica Church, Carrie Decker, Eric Ehrnschwender, Mary Flad, Alexa Grace, David Henningsen, Nikki Hung, Anita Fina Kiewra, Grace Kim, Karl Kruscynsky, Elinor Levy, Néstor Madalengoitia, Laura Montoya, Kirsten McDonald, Matt Munson, Basha Ruth Nelson, Franc Palaia, Elisa Pritzker, Stephanie Russell, Robert Stevens, Barbara Todd, Suprina, and Xuewu Zheng.
If you go:
Circle of Friends
Cornell Creative Arts Center, 129 Cornell Street, Kingston, New York
Through December 5, 2025
Time: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact: penny.dell@gmail.com
www.ccacny.org/gallery
