One of the stolen Bickman paintings
SAUGERTIES – Four original paintings by Kelli Bickman of Saugerties and one by T.S. Young, the late father of artist Emmallyea Swonyoung were stolen from their art studio at the Odd Fellows Temple building at 220 Main Street in Saugerties and Bickman is hopeful that they will be returned.
Bickman said Monday that the perpetrators broke into the building at night, vandalized a lamp and a work of her art and then stole the art from the stairwell and foyer. They also stole the T.S. Young piece, she said.
“In the middle of the night while were sleeping,” Bickman said. It’s really insane. Whoever did it is clearly desperate. I don’t know why they are stealing art. Are they going to reselling it? Are they keeping it because they are a fan? I don’t know.”
She said the estimated value of the vandalism and theft is $5,900.
Police are investigating the thefts including by examining video footage from a police street camera.
