In a century-old bank building on Broadway in Newburgh, something wonderful and unexpected is happening. Vault doors that once sealed away precious assets are now a space where contemporary art is being showcased, drawing in visitors from all over. The Bank Art Gallery, established in 2024 at 94 Broadway, has become much more than just an exhibit space; it’s become a symbol of Newburgh’s cultural awakening.

Shirley Noto, the gallery director, was struck with inspiration standing inside the marble-walled building with its vaulted ceilings and intact safety deposit boxes; she knew the space demanded something extraordinary. “We wanted to somehow merge preservation with innovation,” Noto said. “Transforming it into a contemporary art gallery was the only thing we could think of that would not only help artists and the art world but also revitalize the city.”

The building itself tells the story of Newburgh’s layered history. Original plaster reliefs depicting mid-Hudson locations and figures—West Point, George Washington—still line the walls.

Tigerwood paneling, a material no longer used in construction, creates an atmosphere that visitors describe as museum-like. But it’s the integration of art within the old bank vaults that truly captures the imagination. Every room, every vault space, houses artwork, creating an experience that feels both intimate and quite grand.

Since opening in late September last year, the gallery has seen a remarkable amount of growth in its space. What began as exhibitions on the main floor has expanded to multiple levels, with plans to open a fourth floor in spring that would make it the largest gallery in the Hudson Valley. Each exhibition rotates every two months, featuring between 17 to 25 artists across diverse mediums: paintings, sculptures, installations, ceramics, photography.

For Noto, the curatorial process focuses on authenticity and impact. “I’m looking for originality, whether the work makes an impact, if it has meaning, if it sparks conversation,” she says. She gravitates toward artists who take familiar forms and make them distinctly their own. “Our job in our generation is to show art from this generation, how it’s improved, how they’ve made it different.”

The gallery’s mission extends beyond showcasing artwork—it’s about engaging with the community and making art accessible to them. Admission is free, ensuring barriers don’t prevent anyone from experiencing the works. This philosophy reflects a deeper understanding of art’s role in community building. As Noto explains, “We want to make sure that everyone can come and see these beautiful works of art.”

The response has been overwhelming. The recent exhibition “The Empire of the Gods” drew nearly 600 people on a single Thursday evening. Visitors come from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, NYC, and upstate, drawn by word-of-mouth and media coverage that has reached as far as News Channel 12. For Noto, these numbers represent something more significant than attendance figures—they represent changing perceptions of Newburgh itself.

“Newburgh has always had such a big stigma, and people were afraid to come to the city,” Noto said. “But people will come for the right reasons.” The gallery has become what she calls “a cultural anchor on Broadway,” bringing in people who might have never ventured downtown otherwise.

The most rewarding part for Noto is witnessing the connections form between artists and collectors, and seeing careers grow through opportunities at the gallery. She explained, “Artists already have powerful stories behind their work. I simply help them bring those stories forward in a way that resonates with audiences and collectors.”

The gallery’s success reflects something larger happening in Newburgh—a cultural renaissance that’s bringing people back to the city center, creating pride in community, and proving that high-quality art can thrive in unexpected places. In the marble halls where financial transactions once defined success, a different kind of wealth is being created: the immeasurable value of artistic expression and community connectedness.

As visitors explore the bank’s transformed space, moving through rooms where art occupies every corner, they are experiencing more than an exhibition. They are witnessing what happens when vision meets opportunity, preservation embraces innovation, and when a community decides to invest in its cultural future. In Newburgh’s historic heart, the vaults are open, and the treasures inside are meant to be shared.

The gallery is open Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5 p.m. For more information, visit bankartgallery.com.