Arts Archives - Page 3 of 104 - The Adirondack Almanack Archive - The Adirondack Almanack

Those with the Adirondack Folk School, located in Lake Luzerne, NY, said they were pleased to announce the opening of the Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, adding that the school intends to launch a record number of brand new classes and workshops this year.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making a basket or a canoe? Would you like to learn to weave or try blacksmithing? The Adirondack Folk School, the only nonprofit organization of its kind in the region, is offering a record-setting 280 hands-on classes and workshops for everyone interested in learning the crafts and traditions that make our region unique. Expanded opportunities are made possible through generous support from the Moore family, allowing the Adirondack Folk School to announce that it has opened a new space in the Lake George Outlets. Further support from the Alfred Z. Solomon Foundation has allowed AFS to equip the space for an array of classes. The new space—The Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex—is located in the Log Jam Outlets directly behind the Log Jam Restaurant on Route 9 in Lake George.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Adirondack Experience Receives $500,000 Federal Challenge Grant to Assist with New $4.5M Artists & Inspiration in the Wild Exhibition Opening in 2023

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The Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake,(ADKX) has received a $500,000 grant from the Challenge Grants program of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), a federal agency. The funds will help support the $2.25M construction cost of the Artists & Inspiration in the Wild project. As part of the Challenge Grant requirements, ADKX must match the funds 3:1. ADKX is in the final phase of fundraising for this project during which they will be seeking funds to match the NEH Challenge Grant. Currently ADKX has raised $3M of the $4.5M overall cost of the project. This grant was secured following a highly competitive application and review process. NEH receives funding requests from across the U.S. and makes grants to a select few. Just eight Challenge Grants were made at the $500,000 level or more in the current round of NEH funding. In addition to ADKX, other recipients included the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a Carnegie library in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and WETA, which serves Washington, DC.

This funding will support the renovation of a 6,200-square-foot exhibition space dedicated to the museum’s fine and decorative art collection. Planned upgrades to an existing building will make possible the first permanent home with appropriate climate controls and gallery spaces for this collection. Once completed in 2023, the building will provide permanent galleries dedicated to the most comprehensive showing of the ADKX collection of art in the museum’s 60-plus-year history. Artists & Inspiration in the Wild will include masterpieces from the museum’s painting, decorative arts, furniture, print, drawing, and photograph collections placed in the context of the landscape that inspired their creation. As noted by environmentalist Bill McKibben, on view will be what were, in all probability, the first photographs that brought the wholesale destruction of forestland to Americans’ attention.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Save the Date: Georgia O’Keeffe musical, Nearby Faraway, set for July in Lake George

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Save the Date: This summer, Georgia O’Keeffe will sing and dance in Lake George! Nearby Faraway, the brand-new Georgia O’Keeffe musical, will premiere July 22-24 and July 29-31, 2022, at the Carriage House Theater at Fort William Henry in Lake George, NY. The intimate musical will feature music by local composer Catherine Reid, and book and lyrics by Neal Herr. On the centennial anniversary of O’Keeffe’s breakthrough summers in Lake George, this dramatic tour-de-force is bound to be the centerpiece of what Mayor Robert Blais calls an “O’Keeffe-Fest,” with related activities by art and historical groups celebrating the life and art of “America’s Favorite Painter.” Adirondack Institute’s production of Nearby Faraway is made possible with generous grants from both the Touba Family Foundation and Warren County Tourism/VisitLakeGeorge.com. More details, including a full press release, to follow as we inch closer to the premiere date.

Photo at top: Courtesy of Kate Austin-Avon.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

The Sembrich’s 2022 Summer Festival: Reimagining the Classics set to begin in June, tickets on sale now

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The Sembrich has announced its 2022 Summer Festival Reimagining the Classics. The festival will explore reinvention – from transcriptions and arrangements of beloved classics, to rhapsodies and
variations on themes of popular composers. Some events will return to the intimacy of the historic Sembrich Studio and others will be held under a lakeside performance tent. Events will begin in June and run through early September. Tickets are now on sale for all events in the 2022 summer festival.

“We’re delighted to present another summer of music here on Lake George,” said Artistic Director Richard Wargo. “Reimagining the Classics will explore all manner of reinvention and present a variety of refreshing new takes on classical favorites. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to reimagine many aspects of life, including the way we present and experience music. This summer’s festival will incorporate the best of those bold reinventions, including the introduction of our new outdoor Promenade Series.”

Monday, February 21, 2022

Two Adirondack-area arts organizations seeking new leadership roles

Two prominent arts organizations located in the Adirondack region are seeking new leadership roles to round out their creative teams. View, the arts center in Old Forge, is currently seeking a new Executive Director following the recent announcement that Mark Salsbury, View President, intends to step down from his position by this summer. The Upper Jay Art Center is also accepting applications for the role of Artistic Director.

Mark Salsbury, President of View arts center in Old Forge has announced his departure from his role. Photo provided by Travis Kiefer.

View Center for Arts and Culture in Old Forge:

Mark Salsbury, the President of View, has announced that he will step down from his role by the Summer of 2022, following the strategic planning process that is currently underway. Salsbury and Kathy Ruscitto, View’s Board Chair, have jointly announced plans to begin the process of searching for his replacement. Following several years of retirement, Salsbury joined View in 2019 to help build a foundation for the future.

“It has always been my intention to build a strong foundation to prepare View for the next stage of our development, and the View team has stepped up to the challenge to make that happen,” noted Salsbury. “Our needs going forward are different than they were three years ago, and I look forward to helping transition a new leader in steering View forward to reach its full potential. According to Ruscitto, View’s Board of Directors will commence with a formal search for his replacement through a board-led search committee. A position description and requirements document has been prepared and will be posted on View’s website, and a recruitment firm will be engaged to conduct the search.

“The Board is grateful for Mark’s contributions and the solid foundation he has created for the next leader. We anticipate a wide search for someone with a balance of art management, business development, and community engagement skills. We appreciate the time Mark has given us to conduct a thoughtful search,” noted Ruscitto.

Ruscitto also indicated that progress regarding the search process will be communicated through various updates to its members and the community. “This position is a great opportunity for a passionate and community-minded leader to make a significant difference for View and the Old Forge community. View is an economic engine within our region, and we’re truly blessed to have such a beautiful, large, multi-purpose arts center in our own backyard.”

View is located at 3273 State Route 28 in Old Forge. To learn more about View visit ViewArts.org.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Rockwell Kent and Greenland

NORTH BY NUUK: GREENLAND AFTER ROCKWELL KENT

February 1 – March 11, 2022
Burke Gallery, John Myers Building, 2nd Floor

North by Nuuk is an intimate, contemporary look at the people and the social and primal geographic landscapes of Greenland. Photographer Denis Defibaugh presents his journey from Nuuk to the settlement of Illorsuit, 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, following Rockwell Kent’s earlier footsteps and offering a fresh look at timeless Greenland.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Artist tackles impact of climate change with paintings

Alberto Rey admires how artists of the Hudson River School brought the vastness of the United States — then unchartered wilderness — into homes across the country.

“They used to go out with scientists to explore their environment and make that information accessible to the public,” said Rey, an artist and professor at SUNY Fredonia. “I’ve always had a love for the sciences and history, and it seems like art is a good way to make complicated issues accessible.”

Rey’s “Lost Beauty,” an exhibition sponsored by Southern Adirondack Audubon Society, will run Feb. 3 through April 14 in SUNY Adirondack’s Visual Arts Gallery. The show includes Rey’s examination of Iceland’s changing icebergs, the impact of a river’s pollution on surrounding communities and studies of extinct bird specimens.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Adirondack Experience to offer free Creative February—Painting Demonstration on Feb. 28 via Zoom

Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, is pleased to offer a free Creative February—Daily Painting Demonstration featuring artist Takeyce Walter on Monday, February 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

The Wild Center adds snowshoeing, kicksledding, and ice fishing to winter programming, continues to host Wild Lights exhibit

The Wild Center has recently announced a few additions to its winter programming including free snowshoe and kicksled rentals, guided ice fishing on its Greenleaf Pond and three ice sculptures which have been arranged around the campus. These experiences – and more – are available Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with timed ticket reservations.

The Wild Center continues to host its Wild Lights exhibit presented by Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. when the 115-acre campus is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of dazzling lights. During the week of February 18- 26, The Wild Center will be open every day and will remain open in the evenings for guests to enjoy the Wild Lights exhibit.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Poem: A Different Dream

by Annette Pisano-Higley

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A Different Dream

Trees whisper of a different dream,

Hope dances on their fluttering leaves.

Rivulets of old and new course in confluent circles.

Birds cock their heads with onyx eyes flashing,

They know.

Waking up to rainbows, facets not seen before,

Something different in the air,

Tones unheard, arias waiting to be sung.

What awaits?

Cries in the background, still heard.

But maybe, just maybe,

The universe listens, and blesses,

The beginning of a different dream.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Poem: Puppy Elf

by Annette Pisano-Higley

Puppy Elf ( If you have a pet, you know!)

This ‘Elf on a Shelf’, with sweet doggy paws,
Helps Santa all year, our dear Puppy Claus.
Keeping us nice, because naughty won’t do,
Loving us always, and ‘herding’ us through.
Sniffing the tinsel, nuzzling the wrap
With little black nose, then curls in a nap.
Innocence, goodness, from day into night,
She keeps us laughing, with brown eyes so bright.
And no tear would dare to fall from an eye,
When puppy is near to lick those tears dry.
She stands her proud watch, in good times and bad,
This Christmas blessing, to her mom and dad.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Poem: This Good Night

by Annette Pisano-Higley

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This Good Night

In the eye of the storm,

In the center of the plight,

Melodies of peace emanate,

And we are enveloped in light.

A joyous note rings out,

From four corners all harken,

Rays of hope brightly permeate,

Voices of stars sound through cold’s bite.

We remember to love,

We open ourselves to change,

Standing strongly, with all reckoned,

With blessings right within our sight.

Holy season is near,

A babe sleeps among the beasts,

We ask him for peace, protection,

To guide us safely this good night.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

NYSCA funding to boost arts and culture nonprofits

Gov. Kathy Hochul this week announced $45 million in grant awards through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Grants administered by NYSCA this year will provide critical aid to bolster nonprofit arts and culture organizations and artists as they embark on a dynamic multi-year recovery process.

In June 2021, NYSCA rolled out a reimagined grantmaking process to increase access to state funds through expanded eligibility that embraced a vast range of artmaking in New York State, and led to a nearly 40% increase in applications for FY2022 to date. Following a streamlined application process, the agency will continue to support those severely impacted by the ongoing effects of COVID-19 through flexible funding accommodations.

NYSCA’s Round Three grants include Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and Recovery Grants. All four categories of funding provide organizations and artists with vital dollars to boost their recovery process in response to the devastating economic impact of the last year and a half. More than 60% of NYSCA’s FY2022 grantees have organizational budgets of $1 million or less.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Creative Adirondacks: Graphic artist Karen Davidson Seward

by Linda Friedman Ramirez

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While she prefers staying out of the limelight, graphic designer Karen “Ren” Davidson Seward is well known in the North Country arts community for her collaborative spirit, talent and generosity. She has been involved in some of the most popular exhibits in the area, among them, the Wild Center exhibits at Whiteface Mountain, a revision of the exhibit Dreaming of Timbuctoo and the Memorial Field for Black Lives at John Brown Historic Farm.

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Poem: One Night, Adirondack

by Richard Monroe

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One Night, Adirondack

How Much Would You Pay

For One Night of Quiet Solitude

By A Crackling Campfire

Under the Stars