Olney Marie Ryland: Urbane Facades

September 18– December 7, 2025

Olney Marie Ryland, 1698 Weeksville Collection, 2022, 5/8 thick cabinet-grade plywood, acrylic paint & stucco, 10.5 x 18 x 26 inches. Courtesy of the artist and the Weeksville Hertiage Center.

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 4:30–7:30pm

Urbane Facades, the first solo exhibition of Addisleigh Park, Queens-based artist Olney Marie Ryland, features the largest collection of her constructed wooden building facades to date. For over thirty years, Ryland has meticulously crafted these models, inspired by buildings from various New York City neighborhoods, chosen for their historical significance or simply for their elegant design—evoking a sense of civic pride through architecture. Notable works in the exhibition include renditions of houses from the Weeksville Heritage site in Brooklyn, one of the first free black communities in the U.S. in the 19th Century, and San Juan Hill, the former neighborhood that is now home to Lincoln Center. Ryland’s work is deeply connected to her personal history in Addisleigh Park, a section of St. Albans, Queens with a rich tradition of black prosperity and homeownership. Ryland herself has been instrumental in preserving the unique character of Addisleigh Park, having served as President and now Vice-President of the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization. As President, she initiated the process to get the neighborhood registered as a Historic District with the Historic Districts Council. Ryland’s exhibition is a continuation of this dedication, offering a distinct perspective on architecture, history, and the enduring spirit of community.

More info coming soon.