OUR MISSION

The mission of Choose Cohoes for Art (CCfA) is to support the arts and local artists in Cohoes and the surrounding area, to create community awareness and involvement in the arts, and to foster cultural vitality by hosting and promoting art-related events in the greater Cohoes area.

OUR VISION

This mission will be accomplished by continuing to create inclusive opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate, and showcase their work—whether through our long-standing Cohoes Artist Showcase, our revitalized Spindle City Art Walk, or new community-driven initiatives that celebrate the creative spirit. We will actively seek out the ideas and opinions of our local community to help shape future events and art-centered gatherings, ensuring that what we create reflects the voices and needs of those we serve. We envision a thriving, connected arts scene that brings energy to our streets, supports local talent, and makes Cohoes and its neighboring counties a destination for art, culture, and community.

ABOUT CHOOSE COHOES FOR ART

Choose Cohoes for Art (CCfA) was created in 2009 for a simple reason: To foster a welcoming environment for local artists to come together, create, and have a sense of community amongst each other. While this endeavor started out only including Cohoes proper, we later branched out to include the surrounding counties as well - Albany, Saratoga, Rensselaer & Schenectady counties - because, when it comes to art, the more the merrier, right?

Since 2009 we have hosted the Cohoes Artist Showcase (CAS), which features art submitted by both CCfA Members and non-members. Each year was more successful than the last, however, the COVID-19 Pandemic severely halted any momentum we had gained over the years.

CCfA recognized that in order to regain our ground we needed to revamp the organization as a whole... Which is exactly what we've been doing. We added new leadership to the organization, new members to the board, and created a subcommittee to help with our new endeavors that expand beyond just our annual CAS event. In 2024, we started hosting the Spindle City Art Walk on the 3rd Friday of each month from Spring to Fall, bringing together all of Remsen Street and its businesses in a way that benefits everyone.

As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to uplift and connect artists across our region while enriching the cultural fabric of Cohoes and beyond. Whether you're an artist, a supporter, or just someone who appreciates creativity, there's a place for you here. We’re excited about what’s ahead—and we hope you’ll be part of it.

MEET THE BOARD

Alicia Lea

President

Alicia Lea is a creative artist based in the vibrant Capital Region, known for her dynamic work in aerosol art and mural creation. Her art is characterized by bold, engaging public works that reflect her passion for creativity and expression. Alicia also holds a background in early childhood education, which shapes her belief in the transformative power of art to impact and enrich lives.

In addition to her own artistic endeavors, Alicia is dedicated to sharing her skills and fostering creativity within her community. She teaches workshops and classes that inspire artistic expression across all age groups. Her primary focus is on connecting people with art, encouraging collaboration, and making art accessible to all.

Through her work, Alicia seeks to enhance public spaces with beauty and meaningful expression while empowering others to embrace their own creative potential.

Fred Neudoerffer

VICE PRESIDENT

Fred Neudoerffer serves as Chair of the Cohoes Artist Showcase and is the owner of NeuStudios, LLC, a creative studio that highlights products, services, and innovative ideas through photography and related visual arts. He also volunteers as the Director of The JRM Artists’ Space at The National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa.

An accomplished photographer, Fred has been creating project-based art for many years, often developing long-term series in pursuit of images that align with a specific vision. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries throughout the Northeast.

Fred’s commercial and artistic portfolios can be viewed at www.neustudios.com and www.neuarts.net.

Ed Tremblay

SECRETARY

Ed Tremblay is the retired Executive Director of the Cohoes Local Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic development in Cohoes. He has been actively involved in promoting the arts through initiatives like Choose Cohoes for Arts, which was created to foster artistic engagement in the community.

An amateur photographer and lifelong supporter of the arts, Ed has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations focused on arts advocacy. He was a charter member of the Cohoes Performing Arts Booster Club, a nonprofit established to support the arts within the Cohoes School District. He also previously served as Vice President and Board Member of Youth Ballet Company and Dance Eclectic, Inc., based in Clifton Park.

With a professional background spanning over 25 years in the banking industry, Ed also dedicated 13 years of service to the City of Cohoes. He currently serves as President of both the Cohoes Senior Center and the Rotary Club of Cohoes.

Sarah C. Stevens

TREASURER

Sarah C. Stevens developed a love for textiles in childhood, learning to embroider, knit, crochet, and sew under the guidance of her mother and grandmother. After college, her work in theater costume shops sparked a deeper interest in textile conservation—a field in which she has now built over 15 years of experience.

Her career has included positions at esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City. She also served as the textile conservator for the New York State Battle Flag Preservation Project. Today, she continues her work through her private practice, Zephyr Preservation Studio.

Sarah is passionate about preserving textiles of all kinds and enjoys helping individuals and institutions care for their collections, whether large or small.

Kelsey Massyk

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Kelsey Massyk is an abstract painter and creative professional who brings both artistic passion and technical savvy to everything she does. Originally from the South Shore of Long Island, she later settled in New York’s Capital Region, where she continues to be inspired by the diversity of people and places she’s encountered throughout her life. She earned her BFA in Drawing & Painting from the University at Albany in 2017.

Kelsey’s art explores emotion through color and intricate line work, offering a visual language for the things words can't quite express. Her personal journey—moving from town to town and experiencing a variety of environments—continues to shape her perspective as both an artist and communicator.

By day, Kelsey works in administration and IT at Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS, where she also lends her creative eye to graphic design and marketing efforts for the organization. She brings that same energy and expertise to her role as Marketing Director on the board of Choose Cohoes for Art, where she’s been instrumental in modernizing the organization’s website and digital tools—helping to create a more engaging, accessible, and inviting resource for the local art community.

Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her husband Gabe and their three cats—Ponyo, Kiwi, and Azula. She’s also an enthusiastic maker, diving into hands-on crafts with wood and other materials. A self-proclaimed tech nerd, she’s passionate about computers and enjoys building and customizing her own PC (and, of course, playing a few games on it too).

Shirley J. Clarke

BOARD MEMBER

Shirley J. Clarke is a dedicated visual artist with a passion for “painting life’s visions.” Her work focuses on portraits, still lifes, and landscapes, capturing the essence of her subjects with sensitivity and skill. A lifelong artist, Shirley began exploring various media in childhood and received multiple art awards as a teenager.

She has continued to refine her artistic talent through studies at a number of institutions, including the Newark School of Fine Arts, Pel’s School of Art, Old Dominion University, Savannah College of Art and Design, the Art Institute of Charleston, Trident Technical College, and the College of Charleston.

Shirley has completed numerous commissioned portraits, and her mural work can be seen at Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, where one of her large-scale pieces adorns the wall above a baptismal pool. Her artwork has been exhibited in a solo show at Saul’s Gallery in the Charleston Public Library and was featured in a Black History Month exhibit at Trident Technical College.

She has also illustrated two books: The March of the Glory Fox by Richie Lucas and Talks With My Father by Trudy Harris. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Shirley enjoys crafting in her spare time, particularly crocheting.

Pauline Daigneault

BOARD MEMBER

A native of Cohoes and a proud Air Force veteran, Pauline Daigneault has dedicated her life to giving back to her community. Passionate about the arts, she has actively participated in the Cohoes Senior Center’s singing group, the Silvertops, as well as the VA’s Vets Choir and Arts for the Vets programs.

Pauline’s community involvement extends to many areas, including volunteering at the Cohoes Community Center, serving as an elder at the United Church of Cohoes, and contributing over 35 years of service on the board of the Sonshine Patch Preschool. Known for her adventurous spirit, she enjoys traveling and is always seeking new opportunities to make a positive impact in her community.

Kathy Klompas

BOARD MEMBER

Kathryn "Kathy" Klompas is the owner of Ragged Edge Printmaking Studio, located on Remsen Street in the heart of Cohoes. This fully equipped art studio specializes in green printmaking techniques, offering complete facilities for artists to explore and create.

Kathy’s artwork delves into the expressive use of color, mark-making, and surface design, primarily focusing on printmaking on paper and fabric, stitching, and mixed media collage. Her creative process is often influenced by the observation of patterns, textures, and structures, which she captures through the lens of her camera.

She finds inspiration and energy in sharing her studio space with fellow artists and regularly invites others to collaborate, fostering a supportive environment for diverse creative work within the Cohoes regional art community.

www.RaggedEdge.com
www.Kathy.Klompas.com

Dave Koschnick

BOARD MEMBER

Dave Koschnick is a largely self-taught photographer whose work has been shaped by a wide range of influences. From the iconic American photographers Edward Weston and Ansel Adams to the Adirondack legends Seneca Ray Stoddard, Nathan Farb, and Carl Heilman, as well as the unconventional Duane Michals, Dave’s photography draws from a rich variety of styles and perspectives.

With over 40 years of experience in the medium, Dave’s landscape and wildlife photographs often serve as a personal visual journal, documenting his extensive hiking and canoeing adventures throughout the Adirondack Mountains.

Alongside his partner, Anne Marie, Dave co-founded Junkyard Watchdog Arts. Their collaborative work can be explored further at www.JunkyardWatchdogArts.com.

Michael A. Lattanzio

BOARD MEMBER

A native of Albany, N.Y., Michael Lattanzio began his artistic career over forty years ago after transitioning from the automotive repair industry to the graphic arts and textile imprinting fields. Throughout his career, Michael has owned and operated a screen printing and bag manufacturing business and managed large-scale printing operations, earning first and second-place awards in national industry competitions.

Michael’s work has been featured in a variety of shows, including open studio exhibitions in Baltimore, Maryland, the Boulder Creek Arts Festival in Colorado, and the Oasis Gift Shows in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2010, his piece from Restored Treasures ~ Forgotten Relics won the First Place "People's Choice Award" at the Sedona Arts Center in Sedona, Arizona. More recently, he received Third Place in the Pencil Art Society’s international juried members exhibit.

His artistic interests span a variety of mediums, including colored pencil, airbrush, photography, welding/metal sculpture, serigraphy, jewelry design, and graphic design.

Michael is an active member of the Albany Center Gallery, the Pencil Art Society (based in Quebec, Canada), and Choose Cohoes for Art. He is also a past member of the International Printing House Craftsmen. Today, Michael’s work blends his love of art and machinery, and he continues to live and create in the Albany area of upstate New York. He is also self-employed in the home repair and remodeling business.