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The New York State Museum is proud to announce the release of Margery Ryerson: Artis Contagious, an exquisitely illustrated catalog accompanying the acclaimed exhibition of the same name. Authored by Senior Historian Karen E. Quinn with contributions from Chief Curator of History Jennifer Lemak, this comprehensive publication celebrates the extraordinary life and work of Margery Ryerson (1886–1989), an artist whose images of everyday life continue to resonate and inspire.

The catalog highlights Ryerson’s landscapes, cityscapes, still lifes, and portraits, as well as her pioneering artistic engagement with New York City’s settlement houses—community centers established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to support immigrants and the urban poor. Through her teaching and art, Ryerson immersed herself in these vibrant neighborhoods, capturing the daily lives of immigrant children and families often overlooked by mainstream society.

Karen E. Quinn, Author and Senior Historian and Curator of Art and Culture at the New York State Museum, said, "Ryerson’s work reveals an unfiltered honesty that was rare in her time and remains refreshing today. She believed that art was for everyone and approached her subjects—especially children in settlement houses—with a genuine curiosity and warmth. Her belief that 'art is contagious' truly permeates every brushstroke and line."

Jennifer Lemak, Chief Curator of History at the New York State Museum, said, "Margery Ryerson understood art as a vital, transformative force. Her teaching and portrayals of young immigrants and working-class children in New York City’s settlement houses connected art to community and everyday life, making it accessible to those often excluded from traditional art spaces."

Ryerson’s choice to portray children and families in natural, unposed moments—napping in nurseries, waiting for their mothers, or engrossed in music and dance classes—set her apart from many contemporaries who favored idealized or sentimental subjects. Her images celebrated authenticity and dignity, emphasizing the humanity and spirit of immigrant and working-class communities. In doing so, she not only documented life in these neighborhoods but also affirmed the value of every child’s story.

In addition to her powerful settlement house portraits, the book provides rich historical context on Ryerson’s connections with major art movements and her collaborations with influential teachers like Robert Henri and Charles Hawthorne. It includes more than 100 images, many drawn from both museum collections and private holdings, offering an expansive look at her career.

Margery Ryerson: Art is Contagious is available through the New York State Museum. For more information about the publication, please contact Jennifer Lemak at jennifer.lemak@nysed.gov. The ongoing exhibition will remain on view at the New York State Museum through September 7, 2025.

About the New York State Museum

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter.