Anne Reid '72 Gallery

About the Anne Reid '72 Art Gallery

The Anne Reid '72 Art Gallery stands as a living tribute to a remarkable young woman whose passion for art continues to inspire our community nearly five decades later. Anne Reid, Class of 1972, was a prolific artist, dedicated student, and talented field hockey player who flourished under the mentorship of beloved art director Arlene Smith. Known for her outgoing spirit and generous heart, Anne embodied the best of what Princeton Day School represents.

After Anne's tragic death in a car accident during her senior year at Skidmore in 1975, her father, Jack Reid, partnered with Arlene to create something beautiful from heartbreak — an art gallery that would ensure Anne's love of creative expression would live on at PDS. What began as a memorial has grown into the vibrant heart of our school's artistic community.

For twenty years, Anne's classmate and dear friend Jody Erdman '72 served as gallery director, nurturing countless students and helping them discover their own artistic voices. In 2021, alumna Gwen Shockey '06 stepped into this role while also teaching painting and drawing in the Upper School. Under Gwen's leadership, the gallery continues to honor the legacies of Reid and Erdman while expanding its reach, connecting our students with contemporary artists and exhibitions from around the corner and around the world.

Each year, the gallery showcases the creative work of students from Pre-K through 12th grade alongside established artists whose diverse backgrounds and perspectives mirror the rich tapestry of voices within our own school community. Through our student-run Gallery Club, young curators gain real-world experience writing press releases, installing exhibitions, and organizing opening receptions — ensuring that Anne's spirit of hands-on engagement with the arts remains at the center of everything we do.