Many 2020 art programs have been postponed indefinitely or moved online due to the pandemic that has plagued our country and state this year. One event that folks are especially missing in the Saranac Lake area is Third Thursday ArtWalks.

To answer the challenge of bringing visual and literary artists together with the community to exhibit and market their work, Saranac Lake ArtWorks and the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce have come together to offer a safe and socially distanced outdoor market: ArtWorks ArtMarket.

The open-air art market will be held on Saturday, September 26 (with a rain date of Sunday September 27) at Riverfront Park on Route 86 aka River Street from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Approximately 20 artists, artisans and writers will be safely distanced at the location and pedestrians will be directed to enter at one end and exit at the other. Among the participants are area writers George Bryjak, Lorraine Duval, Yvona Fast, Caperton Tissot; visual artists including Ann Haskell, Marie Cogar, Sandra Hildreth, Deborah Geurtze, Susan Whiteman and many more.

Vendors will adhere to NY State safety precautions and guidelines and all pedestrians who enter will be required to wear masks and will be asked to use hand sanitizer before touching any items.

The Saranac Lake Area Chamber and Saranac Lake ArtWorks worked together last year on Third Thursday ArtWalks and are happy to have the opportunity to come together again to bring an open-air art market to the community.

Patrick Murphy Director of the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce said, “The Chamber recognizes the importance of having and sustaining a vibrant arts scene to aid in community and economic development. Supporting the arts is as important now as it ever was. We are excited to partner with Saranac Lake ArtWorks, again, as we are always open to collaboration with our member organizations.”

Saranac Lake ArtWorks now operates as an independent not-for-profit but is eager to partner with other organizations on projects such as this one to connect artists and the community through the presentation of visual and literary arts.

ArtWorks has established Saranac Lake as an arts destination over the past 10+ years by bringing area artists and cultural organizations together to market their events and work collectively. This season has had its share of challenges but ArtWorks was able to present the Adirondack Plein Air Festival, with some modifications including online viewing and buying opportunities.

The ArtMarket came about as an alternative to offer area artists who normally participate in ArtWalks and/or Studio Tours an opportunity to safely meet and market to the community.

ArtWorks has recently expanded outside of Saranac Lake, now representing individual artists, galleries, and other arts organizations from Saratoga to Plattsburgh, Montreal to Tupper Lake.

According to ArtWorks Chair Sandra Hildreth, in spite of cancellations and setbacks due to Covid 19, ArtWorks continues its efforts to promote and market the arts in the entire Adirondack North Country. She said, “With a brand new, professionally designed website, we hope to connect customers, fans, and collectors to our painters, printmakers, photographers, jewelry designers, writers, dancers, rustic furniture builders, ceramic and glass artists, wood carvers and performers. The 2020 Adirondack Plein Air Festival is currently holding a very successful online Show & Sale, hosted at www.SaranacLakeArtWorks.org. We felt it was important to find a safe way to continue this popular event of 12 years and provide opportunities for regional artists to exhibit their work. The ArtMarket is another way to help area artists and writers to connect with community members and visitors while following safety precautions in an outdoor setting.”

For more information about Saranac Lake ArtWorks or the September ArtMarket email: info@sararanaclakeartworks.org or call the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at: (518) 891-1990

Photos: Top: Yvona Fast with some of her books and photos. Susan Whiteman stands next to her easel with a newly painted perspective from Lake Flower. Courtesy of Saranac Lake ArtWorks.