Gaye Parise is a founding member of the Rex Brasher Association and a passionate advocate for sustainable local food systems, affordable housing, community advocacy, and the local arts. Her deep connection to the Hudson Valley is reflected in her wide-ranging accomplishments, from founding a successful photography and bronze sculpting studio in Wassaic, to her volunteer work with the St. Thomas food pantry in Amenia.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to her community have long been a hallmark of her work. She is an enthusiastic advocate for local affordable housing, presently serving on the Amenia Housing Board. Her commitment to the local residents extends to the plants and animals of the region, and is evident through her work promoting the protection of native habitats and natural food systems. As a beekeeper in the area for many years, she helped care for our local pollinators, and her passion for gardening led her to complete the Master Gardeners program at the Cary Institute. Gaye continues to foster biodiversity in the local area through gardening.
Gaye’s mission on the Rex Brasher Association is to help share Rex’s extraordinary life and work with a broader audience, bringing renewed attention to his legacy and contributions to the Hudson Valley. As a neighbor and close friend of Rex's great-nieces on Bog Hollow Road, she is deeply committed to ensuring that his connection to the native plants and animals of the region is celebrated and preserved for future generations. Warm, welcoming, and deeply engaged in her local community, Gaye brings kindness and love for the natural world to every project she undertakes.