Ty Hodanish’s legacy lives on at the Art Colony Gallery at Prallsville Mills through The Painters’ Collective’s eight artists who became fast friends when they met in art class a decade ago.

Jeff Charlesworth, Phyllis Haldeman, Kathie Jankauskas, Roy Reinard, Cindy Ruenes, Kathy Schroeher, Dave Stahl and Andrea Wallace have taken on the gallery, which was home to their former teacher, friend and mentor. The art community lost a giant in May 2019, with Ty’s passing. In May and June, you would see him at the gallery and at beautiful spots along the area’s roadsides, with dozens of students teaching them how to paint in the Impressionist style. The last few winters when he was in Florida, Ty asked the The Painters’ Collective to “hold down the fort” until his return in the spring.  Now, visitors can see their landscape and still-life oil paintings, pastels and abstract works year around. 

The Art Colony Gallery is open from March through December on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and by chance during the week. The gallery is open by appointment all other times of the year. Visitors will find landscape and still-life oil paintings, as well as pastel and abstract works by the artists, plus a couple of Ty’s paintings too. The historic stone gallery beautifully showcases the blend of their styles. “We’re happy to have this opportunity to keep the Art Colony going and growing, and plan to feature other artists throughout the year,” said Phyllis Haldeman.