Artists’ Talk & Walk Through
Taking Form: Contemporary Sculpture
Thursday, May 16 at 7:00pm

A survey of Hudson Valley artists exploring new ideas through traditional materials. Taking Form exemplifies the array of processes, styles, and media used in creating three-dimensional art forms.

Exhibit on view through May 24, 2024

Unwelcome Guests

An Immersive Dance Performance by Emotions Physical Theatre

Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm
Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm
Tickets: $25 adults/$20 students and seniors

In Unwelcome Guests, choreographer Shawn Rawls cracks open the emotional core of growing up as the dark-skinned stepchild in a light-skinned family. Using contemporary dance, physical theatre, and storytelling grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Rawls explores the parts of ourselves we've been told to silence.

Each dancer embodies a "part" of the same person—The Protector, The Exile, The Performer—revealing what it means to survive, to split, and to heal.

Rooted in the psychology of double consciousness and Afro-surrealism, this show is raw, intimate, and urgent. It's not just a performance—it's a reckoning.

This events is in partnership with The Gordon Center for Black Culture and Arts.

What is Emotions Physical Theatre?

Emotions Physical Theatre (EPT) presents a multifaceted approach to live performances, integrating diverse artistic disciplines such as music, visual arts, dance, and theater to construct a unified narrative-driven milieu. Drawing from one of three primary foundations—circus, contemporary dance (or dance theater), and noh—the genre embodies a synthesis of movement, emotion, and narrative exploration. At EPT, our framework predominantly aligns with dance theater. A defining characteristic of physical theatre is its active engagement with the audience, often achieved through techniques like breaking the fourth wall, immersive experiences, interactive elements, or collaborative ventures, thereby fostering an immersive and indelible theatrical encounter.

NEW! Abstract Painting for Beginners

John Rosis, Instructor

$190 / seniors $180

What is abstraction and how do I get started? This six-week class is for adult beginners and will cover basic topics such as use of line, shape, texture and color, color mixing and composition. Just bring a pencil and paper to our first session to make notes and jot down ideas. We will also discuss materials you will need based on possibilities you are interested in. For example, working in a sketchbook or creating paintings and collages to group on the wall. You can see examples of John’s artwork at http://www.johnrosis-studio.com

R31 6 sessions starting Wed., July 1    7–9:30pm

NEW! Learn to Draw (ages 8–11)
Wendy Morris       $180

Did you know, that when we activate the right side of the brain and quiet the left side, it enhances the ability to see and draw what is seen? Children will create drawing using exercises and techniques inspired by this principle and the work of Betty Edwards. Children will be given all the materials necessary. Each class will explore new methods as well as build on previous ones.

R11 6 sessions starting Wed., July 1           4:30–6:00pm

Solidifying Our Legacy:
A Community Poetry Reading
February 21st 7:30-9:00pm
(By Suggested Donation)

In Celebration of African-American History Month, 2026, Rockland Center for the Arts, The Gordon Center for Black Culture and Arts, and Shades Repertory Theater will bring together some of Rockland County’s most distinguished community leaders and actors to read poems and prose by our most historically notable Black literary artists of the past century. Included in the evening will be poems by the first published Black Poet Phyllis Wheatley (1773) to Amanda Gorman (2017). With literary works by WEB DuBois, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Bennett, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker among others.

Teen Open Mic Night

Saturday, February 7 - 7:00pm

Calling All Talented Teen Musicians!

2-3 songs or 10 minutes per performance.

Free to the General Public.

Sibling discount:

$40 discount per child in the same family per two week session. Checkbox below.

Album Release Party: 

Sold For Parts by Used Karmas

Saturday, June 21 at 7:00pm

Tickets: $20 suggested tax-deductible donation

Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA) will be hosting an album release party for the Rockland-based indie band, USED KARMAS, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 7:00pm. 

The event will be a fundraiser for RoCA and a $20 donation is suggested to help RoCA continue its 75-year-old mission to be an essential arts destination in Rockland County.

USED KARMAS is a collaboration between James Farkas (guitars and vocals), Jeffrey Yager (drums and vocals), Steve Weissberg (guitars and vocals), and Gary Graifman (bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals) who record and perform original songs driven by an eclectic mix of influences, from rock, blues, and alt-pop, but with a distinctive sound. USED KARMAS’ new album, SOLD FOR PARTS, is now out on CD and streamers. This is USED KARMAS' second album.

RoCA hopes to see all local music fans at the release party.  Aside from great music and a worthy cause to support a snack and drink will be included with your $20 donation. So, come and meet us there!