About US

Established in 1971 by a group of 24 local artists in an 1874 historical townhouse*, the Stamford Art Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 arts organization whose members include painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and multimedia artists.

The Stamford Art Association is supported by grants from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, Connecticut Humanities, the City of Stamford and the Kuriansky Foundation and generous donations from individual artists and friends.

*Due to the historical nature of the Townhouse Gallery, visitors and artists should be advised that some physical access may be limited.

OUR MISSION

Our mission as an arts organization is to provide a forum where emerging and professional artists can exhibit their work and engage with other artists, community organizations and the public while providing art and educational programs.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

SAA strives to provide seamless art experiences for both art enthusiast and community youth alike. We are a group of diverse individuals on a mission to building a welcoming and impactful artist network, to make art fun for all ages, and to support young or inspiring artists to exhibit their work, maximizing community art potential. Making art accessible to all.

We are committed to fostering a DEI workplace with a decentralized organizational structure, and public members ranging from seasoned artists to everyday people with a love for art & photography.
The professional art world can be perceived as an exclusive and intimidating industry to art hobbyists; Our gallery breaks this barrier by nurturing artistic confidence, providing a safe space for underserved community artist’s (multimedia) work to be publicly displayed or even offered for sale.
Through our partnerships with local high schools, we provide learning opportunities for young aspiring artists, as well as teaching and community volunteer opportunities. We also partner with the Ferguson Library as an additional public gallery and presentation space with ADA accessibility.
Attending one of our free and all-inclusive, walk-in workshops, provides a fun and effortless way for diverse community groups of all ages and backgrounds to experience an art activity together.

Meet the BOArd

Christine Irvin brings both her combined experience working on Wall Street and owning a photography and fashion business to SAA. She is also a working artist. Christine is the current President of SAA.

Casey Correa grew up in Stamford and graduated with a BA in Visual Arts and English Literature from Bowdoin College in 2014. Before becoming our Social Media Manager, she served as Gallery Manager. She spent several years working at a major music management company before returning to Stamford and her own art practice in 2021.

As our Board Secretary and Gallery Manager, Valeria Ochoa has been passionately involved in the arts since joining our team as an intern at the age of 17 in 2015. She is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for the artistic community. Valeria is also a full-time English teacher, supporting Norwalk Public Schools' immigrant population. She holds both a B.A. in English and M.A. in Linguistics, and enjoys freelance writing and photography, capturing the beauty of everyday life and sharing stories that resonate with people from all walks of life.

Tania Hoppe 'Hope' grew up in NYC where she both frequented and worked for multiple cultural institutions. She is passionate about art, global politics and the environment, and enjoys photography and editorial work. Tania is a nonprofit consultant & grant writer, currently serving SAA as VP.

Maria Friscia worked in the finance industry early in her career. She subsequently received an M.F.A. and has painted extensively over the last several years. She is a member of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., an organization of professional artists, writers and composers as well as a member of various art organizations in Fairfield County.

Barbara Mathis is a figurative painter whose works are in many private collections and have been featured in many juried and invitational exhibitions including those at the Katonah Museum, Pen and Brush, Pfizer Corporation, and Greenwich Arts Society among other venues.

Brett Masterson is a Senior Sales Leader at Indeed.com based in Stamford CT. He is an abstract artist and musician specializing in spray paint, acrylic paint, upcycling and improvisation. His work has been featured in galleries throughout Fairfield, Westchester and New York City. Brett is a strong believer in fostering the creative spirit and cultivating the artistic community.

Nadia Martinez is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and art educator at the New York School of the Arts. She has a lot of experiences using online tools and social media to promote art organizations.

Jean Benoit is a self taught artist who has devoted himself to be a lifetime student of the arts. His creative endeavors are labors of love. He draws inspiration from all aspects of the universe. His work has been experienced in numerous galleries.

Sary Backer is an artist who has studied with sculptor William Katz of Pound Ridge and at the Silvermine School of Art. She is currently working at Rye's "Art Life Studio." Her stone works have been exhibited extensively throughout the States and have been awarded numerous prizes in juried shows.

Neha Karir is dedicated to cultivating meaningful collaborations within the nonprofit sector, particularly at the community level. As our Member Relations Manager, she brings a dynamic and thoughtful approach to ensuring that members feel fully supported and engaged. In addition to her expertise in nonprofit relations, Neha has a strong commitment to urban sustainability and holds a background in interior design having worked at a leading international firm.