WURTSBORO, NY — This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the founding of Wurtsboro Art Alliance. The alliance’s opening exhibit for 2015 is titled “Celebrating: 10 Years and Growing Strong,” opening on Sunday, April 12 and running through April 26. There will be a reception, free and open to the public, on April 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the gallery, located at 73 Sullivan St. Refreshments will be served, and there will be live music performed by local area musicians.

In 2005, John Neilson and a group of artist friends from Wurtsboro decided to form an alliance. Neilson, who took up painting as a pastime after retiring from a career in the airline industry, had studied painting with Melville Brotherston while living in the U.K. Through their shared passion for the arts, Neilson and his wife, Trudy, developed a circle of talented, creative friends in the Mamakating area: photographers, potters, illustrators, watercolorists, painters, sculptors, jewelers, poets. They formed the Wurtsboro Art Alliance.

The Alliance plans to continue its celebration throughout the year with a series of exhibits by members and featured artists, plein air artists’ fieldtrips and art classes.

Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Email info@waagallery.org, or visit www.waagallery.org.