New Rochelle, NY February 21, 2012 — The New Rochelle Council on the Arts will honor founding member Thea Eichler with a special exhibition at the New Rochelle Public Library from March 11th through March 28th. An opening reception on March 11th from 3 to 5 p.m. will feature a range of artistic performances for members of the NRCA as well as friends and family of Thea Eichler. The performance will take place in the Ossie Davis Theater and will be followed by a reception at 5 p.m.; both are free and open to the public.
Thea Eichler has been active in the cultural life of New Rochelle for more than 30 years. As the Program Chair of the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, she was the creative force behind years of themed art shows, concerts, special events and exhibits that highlighted the historic role New Rochelle played in contributing to the arts.
Among the events she conceived and coordinated were “Norman Rockwell Originals,” a show at the New Rochelle Public Library’s Lumen Winter Gallery and a costume ball based on Rockwell’s magazine cover characters; Frederic Remington, a show at the NRPL featuring originals from Ogdensburg plus an exhibit from the artist’s family album; a Reunion Gala of instrumentalists from the NBC Symphony who worked with New Rochelle resident Arturo Toscanini; “Fabulous Fakes,” an exhibit featuring “art forgeries” created in the style of great artists; exhibits by artists Charles Fazzino and Alton Tobey; a two-day Black Performing Arts Festival and “Music Makers of New Rochelle”, a comprehensive exhibit focused on the city’s celebrated songwriters.
Thea also was the co-founder in 1979 of the New Rochelle Chorale, now known as the Sound Shore Chorale.
Four of Thea’s five children have chosen to live in New Rochelle with their families, and all of them appreciate and benefit from her tireless contributions as an arts activist. New Rochelle has a rich history in the arts, and, thanks in great part to Thea’s work, current residents of New Rochelle have come to know and appreciate the vast, rich history of the city and its artists.
Michael Dandry, past chairman of the NRCA and a current member of the Advisory Board, says that Thea and her late husband, Larry Eichler, raised their five children on Paine Avenue, “right next door to the former residence of U.S. women’s rights advocate Carrie Chapman Catt”, who regularly entertained her friend and colleague Susan B. Anthony. “Hence Thea’s involvement with the Tom Paine Cottage & Museum and, in 1986, “A Celebration of Women in New Rochelle History”, says Dandry. “Thea’s interest in people, history, creativity — either right next door or not — has been a strong influence on the enormous programs and shows she researched and produced for 31 years.”
“I know I speak for 31 years of NRCA board members, artists and the public when I say that just being associated with this brilliant talented woman — who will only accept the best — makes us feel better about ourselves!”
