FEBRUARY 4, 2026, GARRISON, NY— Garrison Art Center (GAC) has announced SITE: SCHOOL INVITATIONAL THEME EXHIBITION, Rooted: Art in the Natural World featuring the creative artwork of Kindergarten to 12th-grade students in the Hudson Valley region. Additionally, the 2026 HIGH SCHOOL MENTOR PROGRAM EXHIBITION features the work of high school students from regional schools. We are very excited to have these two programs show in our galleries from March 14 – 29, 2026. Join us in celebrating these talented young artists at the opening reception on Saturday, March 14, from 1–3 PM.

Rooted: Art in the Natural World
SITE: SCHOOL INVITATIONAL THEME EXHIBITION
Established in 1994, SITE is a cornerstone outreach initiative of Garrison Art Center. This year’s theme, Rooted: Art in the Natural World, invites students from 19 local elementary, middle, and high schools to explore the connection between art and nature—and to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. Students are encouraged to incorporate natural elements into their work, create materials from found or organic sources (such as walnut ink or onion-skin dye), or design art meant to interact with outdoor environments. The exhibition celebrates creativity grounded in curiosity, stewardship, and our shared connection to the world around us.

2026 HIGH SCHOOL MENTOR PROGRAM EXHIBITION
Since 1988, the Mentor Program has offered dedicated high school students a unique opportunity to collaborate with professional artists, fostering growth in their chosen medium. By pairing students with mentors, the program helps them refine their skills, explore creative boundaries, and gain invaluable insights from professional experience.

This year, 13 students are working with mentors across disciplines such as pottery, printing, mixed media, digital photography, and painting. The program culminates in a group exhibition, celebrating the students’ artistic achievements.

Images from the 2025 SITE and MENTOR PROGRAM EXHIBITION are available to download here from Dropbox: Images

PRESS CONTACT: Katrin Reifeiss, Marketing and Communications Manager, marketing@garrisonartcenter.org  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For information about exhibitions, classes, and other programs at Garrison Art Center, please visit garrisonartcenter.org or call 845.424.3960. Join the conversation via Instagram @GarrisonArtCenter. ABOUT GARRISON ART CENTER: Garrison Art Center (GAC), located in Garrison, NY, is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit arts and education organization founded in 1964. GAC is committed to making a difference by providing access to the visual arts to a diverse audience of learners, professional artists, community members, collectors, families, and friends from varied ethnic, cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds.