413 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901
1-607-846-2418
 Gallery Hours: Fridays/Saturdays 11am-1pm, No Cost
[email protected]

About Community Arts of Elmira

An Introduction

Community Arts of Elmira, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization that provides a venue for individuals who would not otherwise have an opportunity to teach, display, perform, study and develop their talent.

Organized in the summer of 2005 by Cynthia Hill, Sharon Mitchell, Dorothy Poppleton, Cynthia Raj, Lynne Rusinko, Rita Rhodes-Kapron and Brent Stermer, Community Arts functioned under the fiscal sponsorship of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

On April 6, 2007, Community Arts of Elmira, Inc. was granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. In late November of 2006, a benefactor named Francis A. Przygoda stepped forward with an offer to purchase the site at 413 Lake Street in Elmira, (the former Eagles Club building), for Community Arts.

On May 30, 2007, Mr. Przygoda donated the building to the organization. Further, we continue to build partnerships with existing organizations to promote arts programs. Community Arts does not discriminate because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, or other physical or mental disability.

Our Mission
To provide performance and exhibition space to new and established artists, to offer educational programs and activities and to create public awareness by encouraging participation in and appreciation for all of the arts.

Board of Directors and Officers Community Arts of Elmira is an all volunteer organization.

Ms. Lynne Rusinko

President, Community Arts of Elmira

Lynne Rusinko is a writer dedicated to community service, engaging primarily with arts, literacy and health organizations, as well as an occasional save-the-gulls campaign. She favors grassroots, nonprofit endeavors of groups who strive to open and expand access to all.

Mr. Joe Caparulo

Vice President, Community Arts of Elmira

Joe Caparulo is a published poet, a pianist, vocalist and spontaneous drummer. For nearly thirty years he owned and operated his family's Elmira business, Cappy's. Joe is committed to the community, having served on a variety of civic, arts and literacy boards in leadership roles. He most enjoys reading, film and gardening in his leisure time, favoring nonfiction, indies and rose of sharon.

Ms. Diane Tremaine

Treasurer, Community Arts of Elmira

Diane Tremaine holds a BSME from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from Shippensburg College. She has worked as a Project Engineer, Supervising Accountant, Auditor, Compensation Director, and HR Generalist throughout her career. Diane retired from X-GEN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2008 and spends time volunteering, as well as visiting friends and relatives. Diane and her husband, Dave Tremaine (a ceramics and wood artist), live in Beaver Dams. Together they teach downhill skiing and enjoy cross country skiing, kayaking and biking.

Mr. Matt Guagliardo

Secretary, Community Arts of Elmira

Matt Guagliardo is an administrator in higher education who also works as an advocate with and for rescue animals. His creative interests include writing and music.

Mr. Bart Curtis

Board Member, Community Arts of Elmira

Bart Curtis is a retired business owner of Curtis Foods and theatrical lighting and sound technician for the Clemens Center and other performing venues, who now serves as Community Arts Lighting and Sound Technical Advisor.

Mr. Ron Dixon

Board Member, Community Arts of Elmira

Currently teaching at Corning Community College, retired public school educator Ron Dixon was responsible for the production of instructional materials and implementation of curriculum for studio courses in photography, printmaking, art history, drawing and painting, and stage design. A painter and photographer, Dixon has held numerous regional and solo shows in a variety of venues, including the Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY; 171 Cedar Gallery, Corning, NY; Atrium Gallery, Corning, NY; Brown Library, Williamsport, PA; Community Arts of Elmira, Inc., Elmira, NY; and the Gmeiner Gallery, Wellsboro, PA. His most recent professional awards include: Best in Show Photography: Gmeiner Regional 2005; and the Award for Photography: Gmeiner Regional 2008.

Ms. Katie O'Herron

Board Member, Community Arts of Elmira

Katie lives, works, teaches, directs and performs in Elmira, New York. As a life-long actor, singer and dancer, Katie performed in multiple theatrical roles at an array of venues throughout the years, and is the Director of Roots & Wings Performing Arts Academy.

Mr. Dallas Winchell

Board Member, Community Arts of Elmira

Dallas has extensive musical and technical experience in the performing arts, from piano to singing to soundboards. Before joining the Board of Community Arts of Elmira, Dallas served as an Elmira College Intern and now enjoys a career as a strategic planner in a regional manufacturing firm.

Mr. Francis Przygoda

Trustee, Community Arts of Elmira

In late November of 2006, Francis A. Przygoda purchased the site at 413 Lake Street in Elmira for Community Arts. On May 30, 2007, Mr. Przygoda donated the building to the organization. Among their numerous live endeavors, Francis and his wife, Augusta, enjoy the arts and community development.

Mr. Brent Stermer

Trustee, Community Arts of Elmira

Brent Stermer is a tremendous advocate not only of the arts but also of historic preservation. His professional work includes museum, realty and retail positions that largely inform his current volunteer work in the arts. In addition, Brent's political experience in city council office serves private as well as organizational redevelopment of local areas into connected communities.