Vagabond Time Killers

When Jeff can’t sleep, he scours the web for Wassaic-related items, and last year he came across one of his best finds yet: an original photograph taken in Wassaic by a local photographer, featuring a group of young people holding banners reading “VTK.” Written on the back were the words “Vagabond Time Killers, 1901, Wassaic, NY.” This image shows a distinctively different time in this community, yet there is something vaguely familiar. Very little is known about this collection of individuals and why this image was taken, but there is a palpable level of creativity, irreverence, and excitement captured in the group. It should not come as a surprise that we relate to this odd group of strangers photographed in our community almost 120 years ago!

This exhibition features the work of 53 emerging artists, the majority of whom have come to us as artists-in-residence and have lived and worked here in Wassaic. The works included depict each artist’s relationship, perception, and interpretation of our current location in space and time, and how art and its context can transform people, places, and ideas.

Each of these artists and their work are part of Wassaic’s quirky history, and embody the spirit of the Vagabond Time Killers.