Roosevelt Island’s Gallery RIVAA Celebrating 10 Year Anniversary With VERNISSAGE 10 Exhibition, Opening Reception Saturday March 5 – What Happens To Gallery RIVAA If Master Leaseholder Takes Over?

Vernissage 10 Image From Gallery RIVAA Received the following message from the folks at Roosevelt Island’s Gallery RIVAA

To Friends of Gallery RIVAA

“We are very proud to announce that Gallery RIVAA is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with the Roosevelt Island Visual Artist members exhibition, VERNISSAGE 10. VERNISSAGE has become a tradition for our gallery and, has been the most important annual show at the RIVAA Gallery.

According to the dictionary, the meaning of the word Vernissage (n.) is: A private showing, preview, or opening of an exhibition. Vernissage has its roots in the old practice of setting aside a date before an exhibitions opening for artists to varnish and put finishing touches to their paintings a tradition that reportedly dates to at least 1809, when it was instituted by Englands Royal Academy of Arts. English speakers originally referred to this day as varnishing day, but sometime, around 1912, they also began using the French term vernissage (literally varnishing.)

VERNISSAGE 10 marks ten years of partnership and service to the Roosevelt Island community. We are thrilled to celebrate with you our existence, contribution to the arts and culture, and your continuous presence and generous support. Please join us at the opening reception of this momentous exhibition.

The opening reception is on Saturday March 5th from 6-9pm at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044.

Image From Gallery RIVAA It will be interesting to find out what happens to Gallery RIVAA’s space if a private sector Master Leaseholder takes over Roosevelt Island’s Main Street. Gallery RIVAA occupies a prime spot on Main Street and does not pay any rent. Can that continue with a private sector Master Leaseholder – should it?