What started as a group of Narrowsburg residents organizing the town’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 has grown into a vibrant and steadfast arts organization known as the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA).

Headquartered on Narrowsburg’s Main Street in the historic Arlington Hotel building, the DVAA is the official arts council for Sullivan County. 

With full-time staff, hundreds of volunteers, a two-floor gallery space, 1920’s cinema-turned-theater and its very own film festival, the DVAA has become an institution not only in Narrowsburg but across the Catskills and upper Delaware River Valley regions. 

And it all came from humble beginnings when Elaine Giguere and her husband Tom moved from New York City to Narrowsburg and decided to join the Town of Tusten bicentennial committee. 

Giguere was a dancer in New York City and Tom worked as a lighting and set designer before becoming a consultant for building theaters. Working with the committee it became clear that Narrowsburg residents wanted to see more arts in the area. 

So Giguere and Tom took it into their own hands, forming what would become the DVAA. 

They had an office in the building where The Chi Hive is now and set out to create the non-profit arts organization, bringing on staff and starting to work with artists and producing shows. Sadly, Tom passed away one year later. 

When Giguere and the staff heard that the building they were in was going to be sold, they didn’t have to look very far before striking a deal with the owners of the old Arlington Hotel down the street, where the DVAA sits today. 

Over the years they grew to include a gallery space (where the former National Park Service visitor center was) and acquired the Tusten Theater, where today they host performing arts events and the landmark Big Eddy Film Festival in the fall. 

When asked how it feels to see the DVAA turn 50, Giguere said, “I’m amazed every day. It’s hard to believe where the time went. I’m thrilled that it continues.”

After Giguere retired nine years ago, Ariel Shanberg stepped in as the Executive Director. 

Shanberg had been the Executive Director at the Center for Photography at Woodstock before moving to Woodridge with his wife, saying he was “blown away” by the role the DVAA played.

“I really believe in the importance of vibrant, impactful art organizations in rural communities and knew that was where I wanted to focus my energy,” Shanberg said of assuming the role in 2017.

Shanberg wanted to continue building on the strength of the DVAA, by supporting artists and deepen the impact of the organization. Under his tenure the grant program expanded from approximately $40,000 to over $100,000 in funding for individual artists each year. 

“I love that we’ve been able to grow not just our audience but the artists who participate with us,” he said.

They also secured a grant from the New York State Historic Preservation Office to renovate the building. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing the DVAA being a space that has activity going on inside it and around it 24/7,” Shanberg said. “I want to see those upper floors with the lights on, and the shadows of painters painting and writers writing and dancers moving.”

The DVAA will hold multiple events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary, including a gala on May 16 (see press release below).