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Admission is free. Registration is required.

10% of all proceeds from any artwork purchased during the event will be donated to Main Street.

 

Main Street Art Gallery is honored to present the works of Alan van Bergen.  

 

Join Main Street Connect for a special evening celebrating the life and artwork of Alan van Bergen, an accomplished artist, designer, photographer, and writer. Hosted by his daughters, Carrie and Ellen, this reception honors Alan's lifelong passion for creativity while sharing his remarkable artistic legacy with the community.

 

More about Alan van Bergen:

 

Alan van Bergen was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1931. His father, a native of the Netherlands, immigrated to the United States as a young man. After serving in the Merchant Marines, his father embarked on a career as a chef. Alan's mother was a native New Yorker who stayed home and raised her children in a home shared with aunts, uncles and cousins. Their family faced significant economic hardships throughout his childhood. Despite these challenges, Alan was a high achiever with a passion for learning; he recognized that education was his pathway to a better life.

 

Determined to succeed, Alan worked diligently to support himself through Pratt Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Immediately after graduating, he was drafted into the Army, delaying the start of his professional career by two years. Following his military service, Alan secured his first position as Art Director for a major corporation, earning recognition with a design award from the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

 

During this time, Alan met and married Myrna Kurlander, also a Brooklyn native. On the day his first daughter, Ellen, was born, he made the bold decision to leave his job and, alongside his business partner, founded the design and photography firm Stevens and van Bergen. Alan and Myrna's second daughter, Carrie, arrived two and a half years later.

 

After a successful twenty-year run in business, Alan chose to pursue fine art full-time, attending the Art Students League of New York. One of his pastel paintings was acquired for the League’s permanent collection.Known for his expressive use of light, atmosphere, and emotional depth, van Bergen's work spans pastel, oil, and mixed media. His art reflects a lifelong commitment to classical technique and visual storytelling, skillfully blending the discipline of design with the sensitivity of fine art. Most days, he could be found in his studio, accompanied by his dog, surrounded by his extensive art book collection, with music playing and a large canvas before him. Each piece he created contained a part of him.  As such he had a very difficult time selling any of his works, despite numerous requests. Nonetheless, he took great pleasure in having them admired.

 

Alan had a deep love for his five grandchildren, who brought him immense pride. He thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with them, whether sharing stories or encouraging their interests. His pride in their achievements was evident, and the bond they shared will remain a cherished part of his legacy. His love for animals was also evident, especially dogs, but he could also be found rescuing bugs and setting them free outdoors.  In addition to his artistic achievements, Alan published several short stories and co-wrote a screenplay for the Argentine military about the Falklands War. 

 

Alan van Bergen passed away in 2024 at the age of 92.  Just one week prior to his death he was planning his next project. His beloved wife, Myrna, tragically passed away just 16 days later. Alan's paintings and drawings are represented in numerous private collections.  His daughters, Ellen and Carrie, grew up surrounded by their father's beautiful works of art. They are now ready to share his legacy so that others may enjoy it as well.

 

Come enjoy an inspiring evening of art, connection, and storytelling as we celebrate Alan's enduring legacy through the works he loved to create.

To learn more about Alan and explore more of his artwork, visit his website at alanvanbergen.com.