Sometimes, just a suggestion can spark change. Such was the case with Tupper Arts Director Louise McNally after seeing a request for someone to take the reins of the Tupper Lake Arts Show.

McNally, newly retired, thought it would be a good way for her to engage in the Tupper community. For the past two years McNally helped to organize and grow the Tupper Lake Arts Show. She acknowledges that she only helped add ideas to an existing format that worked, though she was largely responsible for moving the show from its home of 42 years, the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library, to a new location.

The art show first moved to the Tupper Train Depot and subsequently the former Ginsberg Department store. Those moves opened conversations that lead to the recently opened art center. After realizing that there was a need and strong interest in having one location for art activities, McNally and her board had their first gala opening at Tupper Arts Center on Park Street this August.

“Through working on the Art Show, I got to know the artist community,” McNally said. “There is such enthusiasm and passion for all art activities here from shows, music, and drama. The idea existed for a permanent location and everything fell into place over the winter. Now, through Tupper Arts, we have a physical presence.”

After a successful grand opening of the arts center, the Tupper Lake Art Show received submissions from both local and regional artists. The Tupper Arts summer schedule also added a summer concert series that included live music, puppet shows, and brought back the popular Shakespeare in the Adirondack Park.  The summer season may be coming to a close, but Tupper Arts is just beginning.

“We have a busy schedule of activities,” says McNally. “The Dance Sanctuary opened a second location at Tupper Arts to provide a variety of dance lessons. We have workshops and seminars planned. We’ll have another gallery showing in September and October. We’re working with NCPR and ADK Action on future events. We have a wonderful board comprised of people that have promoted and created art events in Tupper Lake for decades. It is exciting to see those ideas come together.”

Photo provided by Tupper Arts.