It would be difficult for Albert Massimi to think of his life without art or sharing that dedication with others. Born and raised in Yonkers, Albert began his relationship with the Hudson River Museum during elementary school visits. As a teen at Yonkers High School, and later as an art major at State University College at Buffalo and the University of Siena, Italy, he made creativity an integral part of his academic life. After graduation, his interest in helping others led him to join the Peace Corps, where he served for two years in Buyeo, Korea, while also studying brush and ink painting. Upon returning to the United States, Albert taught in the Yonkers and New York City public school systems, was an instructor at Manhattan College, and completed a Master’s degree at Columbia University.

Along the way, Massimi became an accomplished watercolorist, a medium he cherishes for its transparency, brilliance, and serendipitous effects. He served as the President of the Brooklyn Watercolor Society—where he now holds Emeritus status—and taught countless watercolor and drawing classes at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Horticultural Society of New York, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the United Federation of Teachers throughout his successful career. Albert’s work has been exhibited at numerous venues in the metropolitan area and can be found in many private and public collections.

A resident of Brooklyn for decades, Albert remains an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of the Hudson River Museum. Last year, he decided to help raise the next generation of artists to new levels by becoming a supporter of the HRM’s Teaching Artist-in-Residence Program. This distinctive residency program gives emerging artists the unique opportunity to develop their practice while providing meaningful and accessible community outreach that connects visitors to the art on view and facilitates understanding, while effecting social and environmental equity through the power of the visual, performing, and/or literary arts.

Massimi recently visited the Hudson River Museum to take in our latest exhibitions, collections, and spectacular river views that were part of his early life. He was admittedly mesmerized by Winslow Homer’s superb watercolor The Shell Heap, 1904, on loan from Art Bridges and currently on view in It Takes 2: Unexpected Pairings. After digesting all he experienced, Albert explained why he feels strongly about supporting the HRM’s Teaching Artist-in-Residence program:

“Art is democratic. Art is open to everyone and equally available. Art is the embodiment of the fact that ordinary things can be construed in extraordinary ways by an artist. It is especially important for those artists in the HRM Teaching Artists-in-Residence program to be recognized as they undertake their journey in life. The program encourages them to go forward with renewed purpose knowing that although they see differently and think differently, that by giving expression to their ideas, artists not only allow us, the public, to ‘see and think’ differently too but also alter our perceptions and open our minds to new possibilities and philosophies which is why the residency program is so vital. The experience is invaluable too, not only for the artists selected for the honor but also for the public they interact with. I am proud to support this program.”

Thank you, Albert, for leading a life that has included sharing your art and creating meaningful opportunities for others to chart their own paths at HRM so we may all learn together.

#HRMSupporter #HRMTeachingArtistinResidence

Are you interested in joining Albert as a supporter of future HRM Teaching Artists-in-Residence? Learn how to spark creativity here.

Image: Albert Massimi by Masha Turchinsky. Work featured: Rachel Breen (American, b. 1961). Shroud, 2018. Used white shirts, thread, and fabric. Courtesy of the artist.