Ellis Sotheby’s, Edward Hopper House Create Museum School Partnership Programs

Richard Ellis of Ellis Sotheby's International Realty and Nancy Bunin, third from left, the firm's director of development, with Hopper House's Regina Rodwell-Bell, left, and Jennifer Patton, at the October 2016 fundraising event that enabled the creation of Museum School Partnership programs for five local Hudson Valley public schools.

NYACK—Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty and Edward Hopper House have announced the creation of Museum School Partnership programs for five local Hudson Valley public schools with monies raised during a fundraiser held last year.

The $21,300 raised at the Oct, 15, 2016 benefit ultimately created partnership programs at five local schools: Lime Kiln Elementary in Suffern (Grade 5), Strawtown Elementary in Bardonia (Grade 5), Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow (Grades 9 to 12), Nyack Middle School in Nyack (Grade 8) and MacArthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet (Grade 7).

The program curriculum, which was delivered to nearly 500 students, included a pre-visit in the classroom, a trip to the Edward Hopper House with hands on workshops at Rockland Center for the Arts, a post-visit back in the classroom and instruction from a selected artist in residence.

“Each lesson was derived from Edward Hopper, his home, his collection and the many aspects of his work that relate to the various subjects and units of study across the Kindergarten through Grade12 curriculum,” said Richard Ellis, owner of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. “We are so happy to foster arts education in the Hudson Valley, which has long been a haven for artists.”

Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty and Edward Hopper House will host a 2017 fundraiser this fall. The program received rave reviews from the participating schools, “What an exciting opportunity to work with the Edward Hopper House and learn more about the painter in this creative, curriculum based partnership,” said Martha Ryan, principal of Strawtown Elementary School.

Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty is located Nyack at 76 North Broadway. The firm lists and sells properties in New York’s Rockland and Orange counties, specializing in the lower Hudson Valley, from Upper Nyack through Snedens Landing to Tuxedo Park.

Edward Hopper House in Nyack is the birthplace and family home of the renowned American artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967). It was built in 1858 by his maternal grandfather and served as his primary residence until 1910. After Hopper’s death, the house fell into disrepair but was saved from demolition and restored by members of the local community. Since 1971, the house has been a not-for-profit arts center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features early work by Hopper and rotating exhibitions relevant to his work.