Join us for a special screening of Angela Snow's award winning documentary World Circus, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmaker.

Presented as part of Defying/Defining Gravity: The Art of Balance, this inspiring film takes viewers behind the scenes of the legendary Monte Carlo Circus Festival, where extraordinary performers from around the world rehearse, compete, and push the limits of strength, balance, artistry, and human determination.

Following the screening, filmmaker Angela Snow will share the story behind the making of the film, discuss the remarkable artists featured throughout the documentary, and answer audience questions.

Suggested Donation: $15 Adults • $5 Kids

All Ages Welcome. RSVP Strongly Recommended.

This program is made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and is administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Join us for the opening reception of The Living Exhibition: In Motion, an evolving presentation of contemporary art inside Bank Art Gallery's historic former bank building.

Featuring local and regional artists working across a range of mediums and perspectives, The Living Exhibition continues to evolve through rotating works, new artist introductions, and fresh installations throughout its run.

Experience a dynamic collection of contemporary art across two levels of Newburgh's historic bank building, meet participating artists, and celebrate the next chapter of this ever-changing exhibition.

All artwork is available for acquisition.

Donations are welcome to help keep the arts alive in Newburgh.

Bank Art Gallery presents Defining & Defying Gravity: The Art of Balance

Prepare to be amazed.

One Performance. One Afternoon. An Unforgettable experience.

For one afternoon only, Bank Art Gallery transforms into a stage for extraordinary feats of balance, movement, and imagination. Experience world-class circus artists performing breathtaking acrobatics, graceful juggling, daring tightwire acts, and visual comedy in the grand historic lobby of Newburgh's former bank building.

Featuring an exceptional cast of performers:

• Li Liu – internationally acclaimed contortionist and hand-balancing artist
• Kyle Driggs – dynamic dance-infused juggling
• Logan Kerr – elegant and gravity-defying tightwire performance
• Drew Richardson – physical comedy and circus artistry guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages

Created by celebrated acrobat and visual artist Karen E. Gersch, The Art of Balance explores the beauty, precision, and wonder of the circus arts in an intimate and unforgettable setting.

Whether you're a lifelong fan of performance art or experiencing contemporary circus for the first time, this unique event promises an afternoon of inspiration, laughter, and awe.

Suggested Admission:
Adults: $15
Children: $5

About Karen E. Gersch

Karen E. Gersch is a celebrated acrobat, visual artist, and educator. A founding member of Big Apple Circus, Circus Smirkus, and Friendly Bros. Circus, she served for sixteen years as Artistic Director of CIRCUSNdays and Showboat Shazzam at the Waterfront Museum in New York City. Her work as both a performer and visual artist has been exhibited and collected internationally.

This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Donations are appreciated and help support arts programming at Bank Art Gallery and throughout the Newburgh community.

Join us for a free interactive Family Balance Day led by celebrated acrobat and visual artist Karen E. Gersch!

Participants of all ages are invited to explore balancing and partnering skills through hands-on activities including juggling, object manipulation, balancing on objects, plate spinning, rola bola, and other beginner-friendly circus arts exercises.

This welcoming workshop encourages teamwork, cooperation, and creativity across generations and abilities. Children, teens, parents, teachers, students, and curious beginners are all encouraged to participate. All props are provided and skilled assistants will be available to work individually with attendees throughout the event.

Meet Karen: A celebrated acrobat (founding member of Big Apple Circus, Circus Smirkus and Friendly Bros. Circus), as well as a visual artist herself (BFA with Honors, Pratt Institute). Selections of her own work are on view at the Bank Art Gallery; she is exhibited and collected globally

Suggested Donations
Free Admission
Donations Appreciated

This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Join us for a hands-on Cyanotype Workshop with artist Luis Fonseca!

Participants will explore one of photography’s oldest processes while creating their own cyanotype prints using objects, florals, fabrics, or personal materials. Guests are encouraged to bring items they would like to experiment with during the workshop.

Space is limited and RSVP is encouraged, although walk-ins will also be welcome if space allows.

Suggested Donations
Adults $20
Children & Students $10

If someone is unable to contribute, no one will be excluded from participating in the workshop.

Join us for a lecture + slideshow presented in partnership with Karen E. Gersch!

This dynamic slide show and humor-laced lecture serves as a panoramic romp from prehistoric to current times; highlighting how and why circus has impacted and inspired visual artists since the start of time.

The program includes a Question & Answer and personal tour of relative art on display in the gallery.

Meet Karen: A celebrated acrobat (founding member of Big Apple Circus, Circus Smirkus and Friendly Bros. Circus), as well as a visual artist herself (BFA with Honors, Pratt Institute). Selections of her own work are on view at the Bank Art Gallery; she is exhibited and collected globally

Suggested Donations
Adults $15
Children & Students $5
Not recommended for Children under 10 years old

This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Bank Art Gallery will reopen on Friday, May 8th from 6 to 9 pm with the launch of a new Living Exhibition. The evening will mark the unveiling of Andrés San Millán’s retablo, a monumental installation that anchors the exhibition and sets the tone for the space.

The exhibition brings together a curated group of artists working across a range of mediums, with works presented throughout the main floor and into the lower level vaults. Guests are invited to move through the space and experience the work as it unfolds across multiple rooms.

The evening will also include two live performance sets by Orchestre des Bonzanj, blending Haitian rhythms, piano, and voice into an immersive soundscape inspired by dreamscapes and ancestral storytelling.

Set within the historic former Newburgh Savings Bank, the gallery’s architecture continues to play a central role in how work is experienced, with large-scale and immersive pieces becoming part of the environment itself.

Opening night on May 8 marks the beginning of this new chapter, welcoming the public​ back into a space built around continuity, presence, and return.