SPOTLIGHT
Ryan Cronin and Melanie Cronin, Artist and Gallery Owner at The Cronin Gallery (#130 on UAW Map)
What do you do and how long have you been in this position?
Ryan & Melanie: We're a husband and wife creative partnership that's been navigating the art world together for over 25 years. Our roles are distinct but complementary—Ryan creates the work, and I build the framework for that work to reach the world. What started as a grassroots effort in the '90s has evolved into a unique model where artist and manager, creator and curator, operate as a unified force.
Ryan: My artistic practice revolves around color relationships and precise placement. These formal elements have always been at the core of what I do. My work has evolved in response to my environment, and over the years, I've become increasingly interested in how viewers engage with the art itself.
Melanie: After almost two decades of Ryan showing in galleries, museums, and art fairs across the country, we opened The Cronin Gallery + The Shop in New Paltz in 2015. It's become our home base and a true community hub. We've created an environment where diverse audiences connect with contemporary art in an approachable setting. Ryan's paintings now hang in significant collections alongside Basquiat, Warhol, Haring, etc, and his "Obama, Big Left" painting was acquired by the Obama Presidential Center in 2022. While we're anchored in the Hudson Valley, we've built a global presence, collaborating with change-makers around the world from the United States to Senegal. What began as managing one artist's career has evolved into creating not just a cultural anchor for the region, but a platform with international reach and impact.
Use three words to describe yourself: I would say we can both be described as courageous, community-minded, and committed to our bigger vision.
What brought you to the Hudson Valley/Catskill Mountains? College. Thirty-three years ago we met on a stoop in New Paltz and the rest is history.
What do you love about your job?
Melanie: Our life is by design. Opening the gallery space pushed Ryan to focus on consistently creating and me to consistently grow his audience and our community. I love being an entrepreneur and finding creative solutions to build Ryan's career while fostering meaningful connections in New Paltz and beyond.
Ryan: I literally need to create—it's not a choice for me, it's a necessity. I work primarily in my studio, separate from the gallery, where I can focus entirely on the work itself. What I love most is the freedom to follow my creative impulses without compromise. Having Melanie handle the gallery and business side allows me to stay immersed in my practice. The arrangement we've designed gives me the space to create while still having my work meaningfully connect with audiences.
What exciting things do you have planned for UAW? Collaborations are foundational for us, so we're partnering with The Dorsky Museum, Kayrock, and the Denizen Theatre to create experiences across multiple locations throughout New Paltz. In the gallery, we're inviting a guest curator to work with Ryan's art alongside one or two other artists, creating a dialogue between the works. Our gallery itself is located in Water Street Market, which is a charming open-air marketplace where visitors can enjoy art but also explore shops, grab a coffee, or dine at local eateries—it's very dog and kid-friendly, which perfectly matches our accessible approach. We'll be hosting several activations throughout the weekend that blend art, music, and film.
Best place near you to get:
Breakfast? Cafe Mio
Lunch? The Grazery
Dinner? Runa
What’s your favorite local store? Indigo + Velvet
What’s your favorite art/creative space to visit? The Dorsky Museum
What is one tip for people experiencing UAW for the first time? Make a plan. There’s a lot to see!
What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people? Ryan was born on the front seat of a ‘60s Plymouth Station Wagon on the way to the hospital.
Now for the speed round! Pick one or the other:
Valley or mountains? Mountains
Car or train? Car
Walk or hike? Hike
Sun or snow? Sun
Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors
Diner or restaurant? Restaurant
Market or shop? Shop
Clear or clouds? Clear
Sunglasses or hat? Hat
Abstract or realist? Realist
Contemporary or modern? Contemporary
Sculpture or painting? Painting
IRL or digital? IRL
Look or listen? Look
See or feel? See