Gilbertsville Expressive Movement, Inc. – GEM

Starting as a private patronage in 2013 Gilbertsville Expressive Movement, Inc. – GEM has transformed into a spacious sculpture park with fourteen sculptures on display and open to the public. Four of these sculptures are on permanent display, the rest are on loan. Don't forget to check the Events Calendar for our happenings!

The brainchild of entrepreneur and art collector, Barry L. Skolnick, is located on the 14-acre campus of the former Gilbertsville Central School in the middle of National Register Historic Site village of Gilbertsville in Otsego County, New York. Audiences of all ages will be welcome and encouraged to participate in all GEM activities and events bringing Skolnick’s vision of supporting artistic excellence to the distressed Appalachian region of New York. This endeavor has been gaining momentum since he first renovated the property to accommodate emerging artists with residences, tools and funds necessary to create contemporary public sculptures.

GEM was granted not-for-profit status in December 2016. Essential seed funds provided by The Skolnick Family Charitable Trust paved the course for engaging the community in memorable aesthetic experiences. One local artist was selected to establish a working metal fabrication shop and to produce a tall (23 ft) permanent steel sculpture. Outdoor working spaces, multiple mixed media labs, living areas, gallery and public workshop classrooms are prepared. GEM is ready to accept new artists to an expanded residence program.

The mission of GEM is to support the education and promotion of local artistry in the Gilbertsville, New York area by providing funds and direct assistance through residency and internship programs for emerging artists in the area of art, music, literature and other programs or projects.