On and Off the Wall: New York Foundation for the Arts’ Painting Fellows exhibits the work of NYFA’s most recent Artists’ Fellowships recipients in Painting. Winning a NYFA Fellowship is in itself an accomplishment, but winning in our most competitive category of painting is particularly noteworthy. These 24 Fellows were selected in 2002 from more than 1,200 applicants by a peer panel of artists who recognized the Fellows’ artistic achievements to date and, as importantly, their potential for future creative success.

Since 1985, NYFA’s Artists Fellowships program has awarded more than $18 million to 3,000 New York State artists in 16 disciplines, covering visual, performing, media, and literary arts. NYFA’s $7,000 Fellowships give artists the financial support they need to work, create, and thrive. Our role, however, does not end there. NYFA also creates opportunities for artists to present their work to new audiences and in the process allows the public to experience their new and innovative art.

NYFA provides the public with many opportunities to see and experience the work of NYFA grantees. In addition to exhibitions, NYFA sends artists into communities throughout New York State to participate in performances, presentations, and other activities. These activities encourage a cultural dialogue between the public and contemporary artists. It is in this spirit that NYFA organized On and Off the Wall.

On behalf of NYFA, I would like to congratulate the 2002 Painting Fellows for their artistic success, which is so evident in this exhibition, and thank them for their contributions and collaboration in mounting On and Off the Wall. I would like to acknowledge Curator William Stover who worked with NYFA Staff Penelope Dannenberg, Jeanette Vuocolo, and especially exhibition organizer Christine Slevin, to make this project not only an exceptional exhibition for the public but also an extraordinary experience for the participating artists. Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg must also be recognized for their invaluable contributions of space, time, and resources, without which none of this would have been possible. This exhibition is made possible by a generous contribution from the Helena Rubinstein Foundation.

The 24 artists in On and Off the Wall demonstrate a wide range of perspectives on and approaches to contemporary painting. It is inspiring to see a small sample of their accomplishments. NYFA continues to work to provide support for these New York State artists and many others like them. For more information about this exhibition and to learn about the more than 3,000 NYFA grantees in our NYFA Gallery.

Thank you for joining us and I invite you to celebrate the 2002 NYFA Painting Fellows.

"On and Off the Wall: New York Foundation for the Arts' Painting Fellows" is made possible by the major support of the Helena Rubinstein Foundation. Sponsorship is also provided by TimeOut New York. Additional funding is received from Susan Ball. This exhibit is presented through the generous partnership with Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg.