D'Arcy Simpson Art Works

When Ellen D’Arcy Simpson decided to open an art gallery on Warren Street in Hudson three years ago, she knew she was going to do things her way. In contrast to the atmosphere of exclusivity that sometimes pervades the art gallery world, Ellen wanted to create an inclusive environment where both artists and visitors would feel welcomed into a community-driven space filled with art offered at a variety of price points.

“I think art should be seen by as many people as possible,” Ellen says. “Whether you buy a piece or not, you saw it and that was an experience. Whatever connected you to the work, you’ll keep that with you forever.”

Though art had always been a passion of hers, Ellen came to the gallery world later in life. After her daughters graduated from high school, she and her husband Michael, an artist and musician, left their corporate careers and their quiet suburban life in New Jersey and headed north to the Hudson Valley, where they could immerse themselves in the creative energy of the region.  

In Hudson, they found a community eager to support the new gallery, D’Arcy Simpson Art Works, which began as a pop-up where Ellen exhibited Michael’s work and quickly turned into a permanent gallery. Committed to highlighting emerging voices, Ellen began searching for local artists and artisans to bring into the space. “I started building this collection of work that I was really excited about and received a lot of support from the community,” she says. All the work  rotated with monthly artist takeovers, music jams, poetry readings and a welcoming creative atmosphere.

This year, she’s doing a deep dive into the work of six artists who will have space in the gallery for most of the year, including the conceptual paintings of Zach Neven, the powerless, malformed guns of sculptor Will Squibb, bowls by glassblower Chad Davis, figure paintings by Gretchen Kelley, zero-waste contemporary furniture from Ken Landauer, and oil on panel constructions by her husband Michael. Guest artists will also be exhibited throughout the year.

Over the last year, she’s also been collaborating with other local gallery and business owners. Her promotional work for the group show “Jewel the Wound” centered on themes of injustice ic led to a partnership with Chronogram to host a conversation on creating a grassroots activist art movement in the region. Today she is helping to organize an open working group called Art & Activism in the Hudson Valley. She also decided to donate proceeds from sales to an academic award for local high school art students. “I knew that I wanted to be a vibrant part of this community, not just sit in a room and sell things,” Ellen says. “The most rewarding thing for me has not been the success of the gallery. It’s this collaborative community that I’ve become a part of here in Hudson.” 

D'Arcy Simpson Art Works
409 Warren Street,
Hudson, NY 12529 
(201) 452-7101
ellen@darcysimpsonartworks.com
Darcysimpsonartworks.com
Facebook
Instagram