Downing Park’s special art presentation

(Newburgh) - During the month of December, visitors to the Downing Park Visitors Center in the Shelter House can see another side of Newburgh City Manager Jean-Ann McGrane -the talented artist.

As Newburgh’s first female City Manager, Ms. McGrane’s first priority has been to revitalize Newburgh by creating programs to take back the streets and clean up neighborhoods. She also initiated the Sustainable Master Planning Process, a community-based effort which will create a blueprint for the City's future.

Founder and President of J.A. McGrane and Associates, an organization instrumental in creating ongoing partnerships addressing conservation, brownfields remediation, economic development, and public health issues, McGrane served as Regional Director for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Hudson Valley Office, and Assistant Vice President for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC). Ms. McGrane earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wellesley College, a Master of Science from University of Illinois School of Public Health, and her Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law.

Her love for nature and concern for the environment is evident not only in her choice of career, but in her paintings. Favorite subjects include scenes of the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River Valley. A student of Patti Eakin of the Bruynswick Art Studio in Gardiner, N.Y., McGrane began painting five years ago.

“I enjoy being outdoors, and find inspiration in the natural beauty around me,” said McGrane. “I believe we all need a creative outlet in our lives, and that by finding ways to express our creativity, whether it is with art, or music, or writing, we can expand the ways we approach everyday challenges.”

The Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on programs at Downing Park, please call (845) 565-5559.