Maria Zemantauski brings flamenco-style guitar to Nigra Arts Center

The fourth concert of the season at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will take place Friday, June 23, with a concert featuring Maria Zemantauski. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. at the arts center, located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

Maria Zemantauski is one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco-style guitarists, and one of even fewer female flamenco composers. Her programs are a dynamic blend of artistic freedom, innovation and tradition. Maria believes that the expressive possibilities of the guitar are limitless and pursues her music with passion, confidence and grace. She has performed in Spain, Italy and across the continental United States and has produced four albums since 1997. For more information about her, visit www.mariazemantauski.com.

Tickets are $10 and available at pncreativeartscenter.org or at the door.

This concert is the fourth of several the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting on its grounds in 2017. The concert series features local performers in a wide variety of genres and styles. Visit pncreativeartscenter.org to see the full lineup.

Bellinger and Groesback collaboration on display at Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts

If you visit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts in Gloversville any time in the next month, you will be greeted by a striking steel sculpture next to the lower parking lot. Its form melding industrial repurposed materials with organic curves and almost delicate appendages, “The Story of Lucas” is at once the embodiment of man-made invention and perfectly at home in the woods surrounding it.

“The Story of Lucas” by Barney Bellinger and Lawrence Groesbeck.

The sculpture is a collaboration between local artists Barney Bellinger and Lawrence Groesbeck, who graduated from the same class at Johnstown High School. The idea to collaborate came when Groesbeck visited Bellinger at his studio and Bellinger asked if he would like to build a sculpture together.

The artists began work on the sculpture without a plan and let it evolve before them, sharing the duties of selecting materials, fitting them into the form and welding them together. They worked on the sculpture for four months, taking turns selecting scrap metal and adding it to the form until the sculpture took shape as an abstract figure. It is made entirely of found materials salvaged from nearby sources.

The piece was named for Groesbeck’s son. Bellinger suggested the title because it evoked Lucas’ tenacity, strength, resilience and ability to endure hardship.

Groesbeck specializes primarily in abstract drawing and painting, though he has done some sculptural work with found materials, including cardboard, leather, wood and books. His pieces have been exhibited at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, the Shoe Factory Gallery in Rochester and many other locations. His work is also included in private collections across the United States and internationally. He works out of October Mountain Arts studio in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

Bellinger’s body of work is diverse and constantly evolving, from painting and photography to sculptural furniture and abstract forms made of scrap metal, wood and found objects. His work has been featured in several rustic furniture publications and exhibited at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY, the Smithsonian Institution, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, and many more venues across the United States and internationally. He works alongside his wife Susan out of Sampson Bog Studio in Mayfield.

Bellinger is the featured artist of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ 2017 Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. He will be exhibiting photography, paintings, industrial sculptural furniture and lighting, and a collection of abstract sculptures scattered around the grounds of the arts center. Groesbeck is also exhibiting five paintings in the show.

The Fulton-Montgomery Art Show, featuring the work of artists who live and work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties as well as the work of local students, will hang from May 6 to June 5. A public Meet the Artists Opening Reception will be held Thursday, May 11, 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The public may also view the show throughout its run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information, call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Winners Announced as Popular Art Show Returns

On Thursday, May 11, hundreds of people packed the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts as winners were announced for the 2017 Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. The award ceremony took place during the Meet the Artists Opening Reception. The exhibition features work from a wide range of artists who live or work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. Pieces created by student artists are also showcased. The featured artist is renowned local painter, sculptor and photographer Barney Bellinger.

2017 Fulton-Montgomery Art Show Winners

Student Awards:

Congregational Church Art Show Committee Award

First Place: “Childhood Memories 2, A Day at the Beach” by Taylor Griffith, Grade 12, Johnstown High School

Second Place: “Frank Gallagher” by Carolyn Smith, Grade 10, Broadalbin-Perth High School

Third Place: “Reveal” by Michael Darling, Grade 12, Northville Central School

Runner Up: Shelby Dopp, Grade 12, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Community Artists’ Award – Best in Show

First Place: “Cat 2” by Sierra Luck, Grade 12, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Second Place: “Untitled” by Amy Laubenstein, Grade 10, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Third Place: “Baby Crying” by Carter Ivancic, Grade 12, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Runner Up: “Girl in the Harley-Davidson Hat” by Sara Albright, Grade 12, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Traditions Award: Sara Albright, Grade 12, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Helen I. Hays Memorial Award: “Flower Girl” by Charlene Walters, Grade 12, Broadalbin-Perth High School

Antoine Harazin Award: Lauryn Pianelli, Grade 11, Mayfield Junior/Senior High School

Community Artist Awards:

Best in Show – Photography

First Place: “Snowy Glare” by Warren Greene

Second Place: “Intricate Dandy” by Paul Valovic

Third Place: “Big Brother” by Ron Dennis

Best in Show – All Media

First Place: “The Hedgerow” by Nancie Johnson

Second Place: “Between Races” by Sharon Miller

Third Place: “In Pemaquid Park” by Lynne Vokatis

Fulton County Show Alumni Award

First Place: “Geraniums” by Marilyn Batty

Second Place: “The Glove” by Jack Horning

Third Place: “1949 Studebaker” by Robert Stangle

The Fulton-Montgomery Art Show is a re-creation of the long-held Fulton County Art Show at the First Congregational Church in Gloversville. This show no longer exists, so the Nigra Arts Center was happy to resurrect and expand it to include Fulton and Montgomery Counties. 

The show will hang through June 5. The public is welcome to view the winning pieces as well as the rest of the artwork in our Community Gallery Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. 

Summer Kid Camps Offered at Nigra Arts Center

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting a series of day camps for children this summer. Camp themes range from music and cooking to dance, make believe and adventure. All the camps listed below will take place at the Nigra Arts Center at 2736 State Highway 30. Members of the center receive a discount on all fees. For more information and to register for any of the camps, call (518) 661-9932 or visit pncreativeartscenter.org.

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Rock & Roll Kid Camp - Session One

July 5-7

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ages 5-15

Cost: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door

Back by popular demand, music instructor Tom Simek is ready to teach kids to rock! Campers will enjoy three days of fun-filled music education. They’ll learn not only about songwriting, but also how to create a music video. On the last day of camp, they will perform for friends and family. Campers should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. 

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Kid Cooking Camp

July 11-13

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Ages 6-12

Cost: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door

Our popular culinary camp is back with more tasty treats for children to make and eat! Campers will keep mighty busy in our professional teaching kitchen as our chef instructors teach them to make three gourmet lunches. Kids will also make fun food-related art projects to take home. Campers should bring a water bottle each day.

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Caroga Lake Music Festival Camp

July 24-26
2-4 p.m.
All ages welcome

Cost: $100 pre-registration | $120 at door

This camp is a three-day workshop and educational/performance program open to musicians of all ages and abilities, from children to adults and from beginners to experienced performers. The program is directed by Kyle Barrett Price and faculty from the Caroga Lake Music Festival (CLMF). Campers will play with fellow participants and take part in a unique music-making experience in small and large groups organized to each person's age and ability level. Additionally, the camp will include lessons, classes and close tutoring with the world-renowned faculty musicians of CLMF. The three days will conclude with a final celebration concert showcase.  

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Rock & Roll Kid Camp - Session Two

August 1-3

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ages 5-15

Cost: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door

Tom Simek is back with more rock & roll fun! Campers will have the time of their lives as they make sensational sounds and learn skills from songwriting to video production! On the last day of camp, family and friends will be treated to a live performance from our rock & roll campers. Kids should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. 

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Adirondack Adventure Camp

August 8-10

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ages 5-15

Cost: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door

For this camp, children should prepare to head outside and embrace nature in all of her glory! Activities will range from scavenger hunts to art projects with an outdoor theme. Campers should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. 

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Living Storybook Camp

August 15-17

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ages 5-10

Cost: $90 pre-registration | $110 at door

This storytelling experience puts campers in control of the story! Children will use their imaginations as they work with counselors on characters, story, setting and even costumes. At the end of camp, children will become the storybook in a special video parents will be able to share with the world! Campers should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. 

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Little Feet Dance Camp

August 21-23

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ages 6-13

Cost: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door | $50 for individual day

This camp, directed by Gretchen Salvione, owner and operator of The Dance Company, is for dancers ages 6 to 13. In addition to learning cool ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip hop moves, children will make props and costumes and perform for loved ones and friends on the last day of camp. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to dancers who have some training but want to spruce up their technique. Campers should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. 

Electric City Chorus to Electrify Nigra Arts Center

The third concert of the season at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will take place Saturday, May 20 with a concert featuring the Electric City Chorus. The show begins at 3:00 p.m. at the Arts Center, located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

The Electric City Chorus is a men's a cappella close harmony singing group based in Schenectady. They have been singing barbershop harmony since 1944. Their repertoire draws from Broadway musicals, pop music and big band standards. They perform love songs, toe-tappers and hits from across the decades, all sung in a unique four-part a cappella close harmony style.

In its mission to share the joy of music with everyone, the chorus has performed at many public and private events over the years, including at parks, parades, civic events, libraries, telethons, patriotic programs, sporting events, theaters and local schools.

Tickets are $10 and available at pncreativeartscenter.org or at the door.

This concert is the third of several the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting on its grounds in 2017. The concert series features local performers in a wide variety of genres and styles. Visit pncreativeartscenter.org to to see the full lineup.

EMVI Chocolate Provides Sweet Support to Nigra Arts Center

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is grateful to EMVI Chocolate for its ongoing support, which happens to be exceptionally sweet.  

The Broadalbin business, owned by Irina and Victor Gelman, recently donated a giant chocolate bunny that was raffled off at the Nigra Arts Center’s Easter Bunny Family Fun Day on April 15th.  Also donated?  Hundreds of chocolates that were sold to visitors - with proceeds benefitting the center.  The generosity didn’t end there.  When EMVI held its own giant chocolate bunny raffle, $1,108 was raised:  $554 of which was donated to the Fulton County YMCA and $554 to the Nigra Arts Center. 

“We cannot thank EMVI Chocolate and the Gelman family enough,” said center director Sue Nigra. “We deeply appreciate their generosity and friendship. Plus - EMVI chocolate is absolutely amazing!”

EMVI Chocolate is also donating chocolate treats for a basket to be raffled off on May 18th during The Lexington Foundation’s Fashion Show and Luncheon.  For more information on the event, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Bellinger and Groesback collaboration on display at Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts

If you visit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts in Gloversville any time in the next month, you will be greeted by a striking steel sculpture next to the lower parking lot. Its form melding industrial repurposed materials with organic curves and almost delicate appendages, “The Story of Lucas” is at once the embodiment of man-made invention and perfectly at home in the woods surrounding it.

The sculpture is a collaboration between local artists Barney Bellinger and Lawrence Groesbeck, who graduated from the same class at Johnstown High School. The idea to collaborate came when Groesbeck visited Bellinger at his studio and Bellinger asked if he would like to build a sculpture together.

The artists began work on the sculpture without a plan and let it evolve before them, sharing the duties of selecting materials, fitting them into the form and welding them together. They worked on the sculpture for four months, taking turns selecting scrap metal and adding it to the form until the sculpture took shape as an abstract figure. It is made entirely of found materials salvaged from nearby sources.

The piece was named for Groesbeck’s son. Bellinger suggested the title because it evoked Lucas’ tenacity, strength, resilience and ability to endure hardship.

Groesbeck specializes primarily in abstract drawing and painting, though he has done some sculptural work with found materials, including cardboard, leather, wood and books. His pieces have been exhibited at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, the Shoe Factory Gallery in Rochester and many other locations. His work is also included in private collections across the United States and internationally. He works out of October Mountain Arts studio in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

Bellinger’s body of work is diverse and constantly evolving, from painting and photography to sculptural furniture and abstract forms made of scrap metal, wood and found objects. His work has been featured in several rustic furniture publications and exhibited at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY, the Smithsonian Institution, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, and many more venues across the United States and internationally. He works alongside his wife Susan out of Sampson Bog Studio in Mayfield.

Bellinger is the featured artist of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ 2017 Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. He will be exhibiting photography, paintings, industrial sculptural furniture and lighting, and a collection of abstract sculptures scattered around the grounds of the arts center. Groesbeck is also exhibiting five paintings in the show.

The Fulton-Montgomery Art Show, featuring the work of artists who live and work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties as well as the work of local students, will hang from May 6 to June 5. A public Meet the Artists Opening Reception will be held Thursday, May 11, 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The public may also view the show throughout its run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information, call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Barney Bellinger announced as featured artist in Fulton-Montgomery Art Show

Barney Bellinger, painter, sculptor, photographer and furniture designer, will be the featured artist at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. The show, which runs from May 5 to June 5, will showcase the works of artists who live and work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, as well as that of students of all ages who live in the area.

Barney’s work has evolved many times over the years, from customized motorcycles and cars to carved gold leaf signs to organic furniture built with natural materials from the forest. At this show, he will debut a new body of work featuring paintings, photography, steel sculptural furniture, industrial sculpted lighting and abstract forms made of wood, iron, copper and other metals.

A native of Johnstown, Barney was born in 1953. He graduated high school in 1971 and started Barney’s Custom Paint Shop out of his father’s garage. He spent nine years customizing motorcycles, cars and vans with metal sculpture and hand-painted designs until a fire destroyed most of his tools and inventory in 1980.

Faced with starting over from scratch, Barney instead turned his focus to a new endeavor: custom sign building. He founded Barney’s Sign Company and created hand-carved, gold leaf-embellished signs with hand-painted pictorials for businesses in Saratoga Springs. His work aligned perfectly with a historic preservation movement to restore the Victorian character of the city, and soon his signs were commissioned throughout the Northeast.

Barney sold his first piece of art as a teenager in 1970 and has made a living from his art ever since. In 1990, he was inspired to build his own rustic furniture following a visit to the Adirondack Museum’s Rustic Furniture Fair. In 1994, he sold his sign business and started Sampson Bog Studio alongside his wife, Susan, and daughter, Erin Estelle.

Rustic furniture collector, dealer, writer, lecturer and design consultant Ralph Kylloe called Barney a “quintessential rustic artist,” one of the best known and most sought after on the East Coast. He is identifiable by the unique style he brings to interior design, sculptural furniture and lighting, and oil paintings. Out of natural and repurposed materials, he creates abstract forms inspired by beetles, fish and found objects, melded with practical furniture designs and paintings to create pieces that are both functional and visually astonishing.

Barney is a self-taught artist, gaining his knowledge from books, inherited wisdom and immersing himself in the beauty of the Adirondacks. He has been exploring forests since he was 4 years old, when his grandfather would take him into the wilderness and teach him about trees and forest lore. These trips instilled in him a lifelong love for the outdoors.

Some have called Barney an “empirical” artist, meaning he creates based on observation and experience rather than systems or theories. His first business taught him the meticulous brushwork that he now uses in his paintings, while his sign business taught him about layout, elaborate carving and gold leaf application. He relies on his photography as a tool to learn about composition and setting a scene with his paintings. The result: decades of eminence in his field and a vastly diverse body of work.

“Not all things can be pre-planned when using natural elements along with found objects,” Barney said. “Once a piece has been put together and a personality has been established, the painting is applied to harmonize in both color and subject matter.”

“I do not paint to please critics, but rather to record my travels,” he added. “Information and inspiration is derived through my lifestyle of exploring backwoods, ponds, lakes and mountain trails. Lean-tos and tent camps provide shelter. Foraging for new materials is always an opportunity to study natural forms and color. Painting, for me, is a privilege.”

Barney’s work has been exhibited at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY; the Martin Harris Gallery in Jackson, WY; the Smithsonian Institution; the Doyle Gallery in New York City; the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, NY; the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY; the High Point Furnishings Show in High Point, NC; the Ralph Kylloe Rustic Gallery in Lake George, NY; and the Orvis Company. His pieces are found in public and private venues across the United States and around the world. He was the subject of a feature article in Megeve, France’s Cote Ouest magazine, which led to commissions for custom furniture and lighting in France. He has also been featured in The Angler’s Life: Collecting and Traditions by Laurence Sheehan and William Stites, Contemporary Western Design: High-Style Furniture & Interiors by Thea Marx and multiple rustic furniture and architecture books published by Ralph Kylloe. He was one of the select artists at the Third Annual Western Visions Furniture Show and Sale and won Best of Show at the Adirondack Museum Annual Rustic Furniture Fair and the Northeastern Woodworkers Association Expo.

In addition to working out of Sampson Bog Studio, Barney is an artist-in-residence at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. His studio and workshop there is open to public viewing by appointment. He has also taught a series of classes there to the students in Transitions, a postsecondary program co-located with the Nigra Arts Center that supports teens and young adults with autism and learning differences who want to go to college or live independently. For more information about Barney, visit www.facebook.com/BarneyBellinger. For more information about the Fulton-Montgomery Art Show and the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts to host Easter Bunny Family Fun Day

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will host its second annual Easter Bunny Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 15, from noon until 3 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome to come enjoy an Easter egg hunt, a Bunny Hop dance and a contest to win a giant chocolate bunny donated by EMVI Chocolate.

Admission to the event is $5 per person. For an additional $5, participants can enter the Easter Bonnet Contest. Those interested should bring a hat. The Nigra Arts Center will provide all other materials necessary to design a beautiful Easter bonnet.

The Nigra Arts Center is also offering an opportunity for children with special needs to meet with the Sensory Friendly Easter Bunny, who will be stationed nearby in a quiet location. Steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers and create a more comfortable and subdued environment where children with special needs can meet and take photos with the bunny.

Families with children who have special needs may also be interested in the Nigra Arts Center’s True Colors: An Autism Awareness Celebration on Friday, April 14 from 2-4 p.m. April is Autism Awareness Month, so the Nigra Arts Center is celebrating by exploring how the arts benefit people with autism every day. Representatives from Transitions will man stations that share how this premier Apprenticeship program helps young adults with autism and other learning differences live independent and fulfilling lives. The band Flame will provide live entertainment. This free event is open to children and adults of all ages.

Easter Bunny Family Fun Day is sponsored by Fidelis Care, a provider of health insurance coverage to New York State residents of all ages. For more information about them, visit www.fideliscare.org.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information, please call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts to host Easter Family Fun Day on April 15

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will host its second annual Easter Bunny Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 15, from noon until 3 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome to come enjoy an Easter egg hunt, a Bunny Hop dance and a contest to win a giant chocolate bunny donated by EMVI Chocolate.

Admission to the event is $5 per person. For an additional $5, participants can enter the Easter Bonnet Contest. Those interested should bring a hat. The Nigra Arts Center will provide all other materials necessary to design a beautiful Easter bonnet.

The Nigra Arts Center is also offering an opportunity for children with special needs to meet with the Sensory Friendly Easter Bunny, who will be stationed nearby in a quiet location. Steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers and create a more comfortable and subdued environment where children with special needs can meet and take photos with the bunny.

Families with children who have special needs may also be interested in the Nigra Arts Center’s True Colors: An Autism Awareness Celebration on Friday, April 14 from 2-4 p.m. April is Autism Awareness Month, so the Nigra Arts Center is celebrating by exploring how the arts benefit people with autism every day. Representatives from Transitions will man stations that share how this premier Apprenticeship program helps young adults with autism and other learning differences live independent and fulfilling lives. The band Flame will provide live entertainment. This free event is open to children and adults of all ages.

Easter Bunny Family Fun Day is sponsored by Fidelis Care, a provider of health insurance coverage to New York State residents of all ages. For more information about them, visit www.fideliscare.org.

Student work sought for Fulton-Montgomery at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts

Students from public schools in Fulton and Montgomery Counties are invited to submit their work to be featured in the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ first ever Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to have their work hung alongside that of some of our region’s most esteemed professional artists.

Students of all ages and grades are welcome to submit to the show, which will be on display from May 6 to June 5. Interested students should see their art teachers for submission forms. There is no fee for entry on student work.

High school students (grades 9-12) can submit individual and group pieces in all themes and media. Pieces created by this group will be juried and eligible for several awards.

Elementary and middle school students are also welcome to submit individual and group works in all media. Their pieces will be displayed on the wall under their teacher’s name, according to school and class. All themes are welcome, including works created for classroom projects.  Students looking for a theme may take inspiration from the county branding initiatives, “Fulton County Positive” and “Montgomery County: Made of Something Stronger.” These initiatives represent the efforts of both counties to promote future growth and development, so students are encouraged to interpret what that means to them in their work.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is excited to see what the diverse work these young artists create. Student work can be delivered to the arts center between April 24 and May 3. An invitation-only reception open to featured artists and their guests will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 5-7 p.m. A public opening and meet-the-artist reception will take place on Thursday, May 11, from 6-8 p.m. Students may list their art for sale if they wish. Should their art sell during the exhibit, they will be subject to a 20% commission paid to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts.

The exhibit will be open throughout its run for viewing by students, families, school groups and the public Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville. For more information about this show or the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts seeks artists for Fulton-Montgomery Art Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is excited to host its first ever Fulton-Montgomery Art Show, featuring only the works of artists who live or work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. This show and sale is a recreation of the former Fulton County Art Show that the Congregational Church in Gloversville hosted for many years. Like that show, the Fulton-Montgomery Art Show will feature the work of a special guest artist alongside other submissions. This year’s guest is Barney Bellinger, a local artist who specializes in steel sculptures, oil paintings and sculptural furniture.

Individual and group artists are welcome to submit pieces in all media, and the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is happy to include a special showcase of art created by students from the public schools of both counties as well. Students who are interested in submitting should approach their art teachers for submission forms. Artwork from students in grades 9-12 will be juried and eligible for several awards.

The Fulton-Montgomery Art Show will hang from May 6 to June 5. Throughout its run, the arts center will host a number of special events to encourage the public to visit and enjoy the artwork. Artists may submit work now until April 9 through www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. Please note that this is not a juried show, but this website is used for ease of submission and selection by the curators. Artists who wish to submit should visit the website and scroll down until they find the Fulton-Montgomery Art Show. Further submission guidelines are available there. Student artists who enter work through their art teachers do not need to submit through Online Juried Shows.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will hold two receptions for the featured artists. The first, invitation-only reception will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 5-7 p.m. This reception is a private opening where artists and their guests will have the first look at the artwork and the first chance to purchase pieces before the public is invited in. A public opening and meet-the-artists reception, where the greater public is welcome to view the show, will take place on Thursday, May 11, from 6-8 p.m.

Through the generous donations of supporters, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer monetary awards to outstanding submissions. The grand prize winner will receive $100, while the second prize winner will receive $50 and the third prize winner will receive $35. All winners will also receive a membership to the arts center, which grants them access to special events and discounts on classes, workshops and future gallery submissions.

The fee for entry of up to three works is $15 for members of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts or $25 for non-members. Artists may submit an additional two entries maximum for a fee of $7 each for members or $10 each for non-members. Notification of acceptance will be sent out by April 17 and the dates for drop-off or mailing of artwork are April 26-28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville. For more information about this show or the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts to host concert and brunch event

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting a special concert and brunch event on Sunday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Upswing Duo, a jazz group specializing in standards from the classic American Songbook, will provide music while participants enjoy a menu of quiche, stuffed French toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salad greens, desserts and beverages.

The food will be prepared by Kingsboro Catering, which provides training and experience opportunities for men and women supported by Lexington. The Upswing Duo will play during the meal, with a break for dessert prior to the second half of the concert.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is hosting this special event in conjunction with its 2017 concert series, wherein a variety of local musical groups will play shows at the arts center throughout the year. Admission for this event, which includes a meal and the concert, is $25 per adult and $15 for children under 10. To reserve tickets, call (518) 662-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information, please call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts unveils 2017 Winter/Spring Art Show with Meet the Artists Opening Reception

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will unveil its 2017 Winter/Spring Art Show with a Meet the Artists Opening Reception on Thursday, February 16, 6-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at the reception, which will be attended by some of the featured artists. All are invited to view the pieces and talk to the artists about their work.

The Winter/Spring Art Show features paintings, photography, mosaics, fiber art and mixed media pieces by artists from all over New York State as well as Minnesota, Michigan, California and Utah. The show explores the theme of “Elements.” The elements of art and design are just as crucial to the human experience as the elements in science and nature. While the elements in science and nature form the building blocks of our world, making life possible, the elements of art and design govern how we perceive and interact with it, making life beautiful. Each artist presented a different interpretation of “elements,” proving that the theme is as limitless as the things we see and experience every day.

Through the generous support of donors, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer monetary awards and prizes for the participating artists. The grand prize winner will receive $100, while the second prize winner will receive $50 and the third prize winner $35. Each winner will also receive a membership to the Nigra Arts Center.

Thirty-nine artists and 85 pieces are featured in this show, including more than 14 created by artists with disabilities. The featured artists include Barney Bellinger, Linda Biggers, Lacy Brower, Doreen Calhoun, Ross Carangelo, Douglas Countryman, Francis Dempsey, Ron Dennis, Richard Freeman, Larry Grossbeck, Jamie Hayner, Carol M Hesselink, Alexandra Higgins, Michael Hine, Linda Hinkle, Dennis Hoyer, Philip Jaros, Nancie Johnson, Gail Kessler, Linda Kollar, Faith LaFountain, Eva Marie Loucks, Greg Maklae, Richard Mittelstadt, Lynda Naske, Christian O’Callaghan, Kathleen Oughton, Ellen Rae Panero, Ana Pendlebury, Chip Perone, Adrienne Phillips, Terre Ritchie, Thelma Senecal, Dorothy Shepherd, Chance Steele, Kim Stewart, Paul Valovic, Setsuko Yoshida and Mikyle Woodward.

The show will hang until April 19. The public is welcome to view the artwork in the Nigra Arts Center’s Community Gallery Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information, please call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts invites you to Instructors Open House & Sensational Soup Cook-off

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will host its Open House & Sensational Soup Cook-off on Saturday, February 25, from noon until 3 p.m. At this free family event, arts center instructors will show visitors all the programming the facility has to offer in studio arts, music, dance, culinary arts and much more. Visitors are invited to explore the Community Art Gallery, which will display work by local and regional artists from the 2017 Winter/Spring Art Show. There will also be live music and a concessions stand. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out why the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is the area’s premier community arts center!

Admission to the event is free, but visitors can also sample entries to the Sensational Soup Cook-off for $5 per person. Samplers not only enjoy tastes of delicious soups made by local chefs, they also vote on the winners. Prizes will be given for first, second and third places.

Members of the public can also enter their soups into the contest. Those who wish to enter should email Sue Nigra, director of the Nigra Arts Center, at nigras@pnarts.org to secure their spot. The deadline for entry is February 14. On the day of the contest, chefs should bring one crock-pot of soup to the facility for sampling.

The snow date for this event is February 26.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information about the arts center, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

Family fun events at the Nigra Arts Center this weekend

The weekend of December 10 and 11 will be full of holiday fun for families with children of all ages at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts.

The arts center will host its Polar Express Celebration for the second consecutive year on Saturday, December 10, from noon to 3 p.m. Children and their families are welcome to join the celebration as the center transforms into the North Pole. Attendees will enjoy crafts, live entertainment and all kinds of family fun inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s classic book “The Polar Express.” Concessions will be available for purchase and Santa Claus, the guest of honor, will be available for photos. Admission is $5 to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.

The arts center will also host a Sensory Santa event on Sunday, December 11, 2-4 p.m. Sensory Santa is ideal for children with special needs such as autism and sensory processing disorders who may be overwhelmed by large crowds, bright lights and loud music. Children will meet with Sensory Santa alone in a quiet, soothing atmosphere, where they will receive individualized attention. Sensory Santa’s suit will be extra soft for a comforting sensory experience and there will be no nearby distractions such as elves, colorful decorations or blinking lights. While they wait to meet with Sensory Santa, children will be provided with coloring books and crayons. Attendees may register in advance by calling (518) 661-9932 or visiting www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more information about these events or the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: 2017 Winter/Spring Art Show

CALL FOR ARTISTS
2017 Winter/Spring Art Show
The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts  
Show Dates: February 2, 2017 - April 19, 2017
Submission Deadline: January 9, 2017

Exhibition Details

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is seeking submissions for its latest juried show. The 2017 Winter/Spring Show at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will showcase art that explores the theme of "Elements." The elements of art and design are just as crucial to the human experience as the elements in science and nature. While the elements in science and nature form the building blocks of our world, making life possible, the elements of art and design govern how we perceive and interact with it, making life beautiful. For this exhibition, we invite artists of all kinds to submit pieces that explore what "Elements" means to them. The interpretations of the theme are as limitless as the things we see and experience every day.

All works must be submitted via the website www.OnlineJuriedShows.com

Awards

Through the generous donations of supports, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer three prizes to outstanding submissions. The grand prize is $100 and a membership to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, while second prize is $50 and a membership and third prize is $35 and a membership.

Eligibility

This exhibit is open to all. Members of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts receive a discounted submission rate. Details about membership may be found at www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

Fees

The fee for entry of up to three (3) works will be $25 for non-members ($10 per additional entry) for a total of five entries. Members of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts may submit three entries for $15 ($7 per additional entry) for a total of five entries.

 Legal

All works must be of original design and copyright of the artist. 

Insurance and Sales Tax - The artists are responsible for insuring their artwork and paying sales tax on any that are sold.  The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will take reasonable care in the display of the artwork. 

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts reserves the right to utilize all images submitted to the Statewide Summer Art Show in promotion of the exhibition and for the general promotion of the Art Center without restrictions.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts may rescind the right of hanging any work unsuitably presented or misrepresented.

Important Dates

• Call for entries is open November 3, 2016, and works must be submitted by January 9, 2017.

• Notifications of acceptance will be sent out on January 11, 2017.

• Drop-off or arrival of artwork is January 25-27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or January 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.

• A "Meet the Artists" reception will take place on February 16, 2017, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and widely publicized.
   
• Throughout the show there will be multiple public events located in or near the gallery and we expect over 750 visitors to view the work during the run.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts announces next installment of concert series featuring the JECCO Trio

The next installment of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ 2016 concert series will take place on Thursday, November 10, with a performance from the JECCO Trio. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the arts center’s facility at 2736 State Highway 30 in Mayfield. Admission is $10 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available for advance purchase at www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries.

The JECCO Trio is a high-octane fusion group that pulls from a wide array of influences to radically interpret classic jazz standards and pop tunes along with original songs. Hailing from the Capital Region and comprised of Lecco Morris on piano, Jeff Nania on tenor sax and Rob Morrison on cajon, tabla and drumset, this trio sports a unique stylistic blend of jazz, funk, pop and free improv that is sure to surprise and delight listeners across the musical spectrum. Their sound pulls from each of the members’ wildly different backgrounds, including classical composition, free jazz, Indian classical music and progressive rock.

This performance is part of the Nigra Arts Center’s 2016 concert series. The concert series features local bands in a wide variety of genres and styles. Visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries to see the full lineup.

For more information or questions about this show and the 2016 concert series at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries, call (518) 661-9932 or email nestlem@lexcenter.org. For more information about the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts announces next installment of concert series featuring Irish Tenor Tim Keegan

The next installment of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts’ 2016 concert series will take place on Thursday, October 20, when they host Irish Tenor Tim Keegan. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the arts center’s facility at 2736 State Highway 30 in Mayfield. Admission is $10 and tickets are available for advance purchase at www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries or at the door.

Tim Keegan is a well-known Irish tenor who sang for many years with the Foothills Trio and, more recently, the Inter-Mountain Trio (IM3). Keegan often performs at private and community settings where his silky tenor voice can sell any tune from ballad to love song to Irish Folk song. He will perform solo, accompanying himself on guitar, and will share some new songs and a few old favorites. Keegan is also an engaging and approachable storyteller, sharing laughs and history between songs. This intimate concert is not to be missed.

This show is part of the Nigra Arts Center’s 2016 concert series. The concert series features local performers in a wide variety of genres and styles. Visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries to see the full lineup.

For more information or questions about this performance and the 2016 concert series at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org/concertseries, call (518) 661-9932 or email nestlem@lexcenter.org. For more information about the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

Call for Artists for Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts 2016 Fall/Winter Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is seeking submissions for its latest juried show. The Fall/Winter Exhibit at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will showcase art that tells the story of Transitions. Few times of the year remind us of the transitory nature of life more than the shift from fall to winter. As the days get shorter and one season fades into the other, we are often inspired to explore change in ourselves and our own work. For this show, we are seeking pieces that creatively interpret the theme of transition, evolution and rebirth. Both 2-D and 3-D works of all media are welcome. 

The show opens on October 27 with a “Meet the Artists” reception. It will close on January 25, 2017. The deadline for submission is September 18. All works must be submitted via the website www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out Wednesday, September 21. Drop-off or arrival or work is October 5-8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The jurors for this show are Brenda Dwyer and Mary Cleland. Both are artists and instructors with extensive exhibiting and teaching credentials. Both have completed works in watercolor, acrylics and oils as well as ceramics and mixed media. The prizes for this show will be juried by Constance Dodge, an accomplished painter and teacher with more than 30 years of experience. Through the generous donations of supporters, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer three prizes to outstanding submissions. The grand prize is $100 and a membership to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, while second prize is $50 and a membership and third prize is $35 and a membership.

The fee for entry of up to three (3) works is $25 for non-members and $10 per additional entry, for a total of five entries. Members of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts may submit three entries for $15 and $7 per additional entry, for a total of five entries.

All are welcome to attend the “Meet the Artists” reception on October 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. These receptions are highly publicized; the most recent reception garnered more than 125 attendees. Throughout the show there will be multiple public events located in or near the gallery. We expect more than 750 visitors to view the work during the run.

For further questions about how to submit to the show, contact Brenda Dwyer, gallery administrator, at dweryb@lexcenter.org or (518) 661-9932. For more information about the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.