Humanity has always been fascinated with itself. We have mummified and sculpted our bodies, imagined them morphing into other animal forms. We’ve stretched our limits to create sports and the beauty of gymnastics and ballet. We’ve centered much of our art on the many ways with which we look upon ourselves, as self-examination and inspiration.

Last week, the ever-intrepid Ann Street Gallery in downtown Newburgh – a few blocks off Main Street, as well as from the historic Washington headquarters – opened a fabulous new exhibit titled “Human Form: Enduring Inspiration.” In it, 16 artists work myriad approaches to our bodies and minds, taking the idea (and ideal) of figurative art several steps beyond the merely representational. There are works on paper, videos, photographs, paintings, sculptures, collage and embroidered fabrics working with classical nudes, illusionistic emotional portraits, explorations of identity, personal histories and numerous au courant social issues.

It’s all as varied as our bodies are, yet equally professional – and, as with all the shows that director/curator Virginia Walsh puts together at this exciting non-profit space, as good an example of the diversity and depth of today’s art world as can be found in the Hudson Valley (or anywhere, for that matter). Best of all, many of the names of those showing are new to the region.

“Human Form” will be on view through Saturday, November 12, with the gallery open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ann Street Gallery is located at 104 Ann Street in Newburgh. For more information call (845) 784-1146 or visit www.annstreetgallery.org.