SUMMER ART INSTITUTE

Garrison Art Center’s Summer Art Institute Offers Teens a Transformative Creative Experience

August 8 – 9, 2026

Images from the 2025 Summer Art Institute student-curated exhibition in our galleries.

JUNE 24, 2026, GARRISON, NY— Since 1998, the Summer Art Institute (SAI) at Garrison Art Center has offered high school students a rare opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the creative process. More than just a summer program, SAI is a bold, hands-on experience where young artists explore a wide range of mediums, learn from professional teaching artists, and discover their own creative voices in a supportive, risk-taking environment.

Held in the Art Center’s fully equipped printmaking, pottery, and drawing and painting studios on the banks of the Hudson River, the program gives students the chance to work side by side with accomplished artists—masters in their fields—who guide, challenge, and inspire. Students are encouraged to experiment, push boundaries, and develop technical skills while engaging in thoughtful dialogue and peer collaboration.

The program culminates with a student-curated exhibition in Garrison Art Center’s two professional galleries on August 8 – 9, where participants take pride in learning to hang their work and sharing their achievements with the community.

SAI attracts students from across the Hudson Valley and NYC, bringing together a diverse group of young artists eager to grow, connect, and make art that matters. We’re proud to offer financial assistance to help make this opportunity accessible—20% of our Summer Art Institute participants receive assistance each year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we offered more financial assistance this year, enabling additional students to participate and advancing our commitment to art for ALL.

“Sara has thrived in all aspects of her life since attending the Art Center, growing up with Selective Mutism has not been easy for her and since finding the Art Center she has made so much progress. We are so thankful for Sara being a part of the program and none of this would have been possible without the financial assistance. Thank you again for this opportunity,” shared parent Christina Conklin whose daughter attended SAI in 2025.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS: All exhibition related events are free and open to the public. Exhibition dates: August 8 – 9, 2026 Closing Reception: August 9, 3:30 – 4:30 PM Gallery hours: Sat., 10 AM – 5 PM, Sun., 10 AM – 4:30 PM

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.