August 3rd - August 31st, 2018

The Strand Center for the Arts was excited to host the work of painter S. Booker in the Main Gallery on August 3, 2018.

 S. Booker died Wednesday, March 23, 2016. For most of his life, he was a visual artist and many of his paintings are in collections around the world. In the late 1970's, Booker moved his studio to Plattsburgh and became an active member of the North Country arts scene. His long-reaching artistic achievements benefitted the Plattsburgh community on several levels: He was a member of the Council on the Arts for Clinton County, was a founder and longtime member of The Strand Center for the Arts where he sat on the Board of Directors for years, and he attended as many artist openings and drawing classes as he could. Additionally, he was a member of the New York Artists Equity Association, the Northern Vermont Art Association, The Artists Circle, and a co-founder and officer of the Visual Artists Network. In short, he was a patron of the arts and a teacher; a friend to many and a mentor to a lucky few. He is missed everyday in the local establishments he frequented-the charm and humor he brought to the table cannot be replaced.

 His passing left a treasure chest of obscure and relevant sketches, pastels, prints and paintings. This August, the Strand Center for the Arts offered one last chance to own an original S. Booker and a loving look and just a small portion of Booker’s legacy. A single show cannot embody a lifetime of good work, but the hope was to honor, contemplate and enjoy these works while relishing his memory. All artwork was for sale, one last time. Help celebrate the man and artist some simply called “S.”