McNeil Building Gallery
FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY
17- 29 MAIN ST CORTLAND
Gallery Applications for both McNeil Building Gallery and Guthrie Medical Center Gallery are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Gallery Application (If you are having difficulty accessing the application, email us admin@cortlandartsconnect.org)
Please read the Exhibition Agreement.
Reflections and Memories: Honoring the Life of Sandy Cowan and Karen Atkins
May & June 2026
Opening Reception, Friday June 5th, 5 to 7pm
The Groton Art Class, under the direction of local artist David Beale, will present a special memorial exhibit honoring the lives and artistic contributions of two longstanding members who passed away in 2025. The exhibit will be on view from May 6 through the end of June at the McNeil Gallery, located at 17–29 Main Street in Cortland. It offers a retrospective of selected watercolor paintings representing the breadth and depth of each artist’s work.
Titled “Reflections and Memories: Honoring the Life of Sandy Cowan and Karen Atkins,” the exhibit features more than 30 pieces, including landscapes, botanicals, nature studies, and still lifes. Together, these works highlight the artists’ distinct styles as well as their shared commitment to the creative community fostered within the Groton Art Class.
“This exhibit is a celebration of two artists whose creativity inspired our group and whose absence is felt every day,” said class member Denise Knight. “Their work continues to speak with a quiet, enduring beauty.”
Cortland artist Nines Solana “admired Sandy’s dynamic spirit and Karen’s boundless compassion.” Lisa Schaaf of Cincinnatus noted the difference in style of the two artists: "Sandy had a beautiful, quintessential watercolor style while Karen's work was often understated, graphic, and whimsical," she said. Moravia resident Tom Steger noted that “Sandy’s skills were obvious in the gifted representations of people and places that she painted with interpretive style and colorful presentation,” while “Karen’s style of painting was very much her own… big strokes, stylized and almost impressionistic versions of landscapes that had a magical feel to them.”
The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McNeil Gallery. Light refreshments will be served.
Guthrie Medical Center and other sponsored exhibits
Details on Galleries: Please read before applying
The McNeil Gallery is located in the first floor entry passageway at 19 Main Street. (Cortland Arts Connect maintains office space in that building.) Artworks can be displayed on both sides of the gallery; each side is approximately 40 feet long. Generally the area can hold 30-40 pieces, depending on size. Options for this space can be for a single artist, two artists (one on each wall), or a group show. McNeil Gallery shows are rotated on a 2 month basis. A poster with information about a current show is displayed in the window facing Main Street. The Cortland Standard publishes a Community Living article for each opening. Artists may include sale prices with their works.
The Guthrie gallery is located in their staff cafeteria. There are approximately 31 feet of wall space. Currently, exhibits are rotated on a 6 month basis. Guthrie personnel participate in reviewing artworks submitted for consideration. Sale prices are not permitted in the display but the artist’s contact information can be included with the biographical information that is displayed with the artworks.
Deadlines: Proposals are reviewed twice a year. These dates are: June 30 for Fall 2024 slots and Oct 30 for Spring 2025. Artists will be notified of acceptance 2 weeks after the deadline.