September 2025

September 5 2025

WINNERS OF THE ALONG THE RIVER’SEDGE ART EXHIBITION ANNOUNCED

CLAYTON – The Thousand Islands Arts Center’s annual juried exhibition Along the River’s
Edge was its best-ever opening reception Aug. 20. Attendance and sales reached new heights
as the artwork of the community’s talent was celebrated.

The evening was festive and vibrant as more than 250 members, creatives, exhibiting artists,
their friends and family, and the area’s community participated in the appreciation and toasting
of river-themed art. The galleries were alive and thriving with much discussion and enthusiasm
for what was on display. “The jurors had a difficult task this year deciding what to NOT include,
with our limited wall space,” says Marina Loew, curator and assistant director.

Winners this year are: Erin Greene – The Lesson – Catherine C. Johnson Award ($500), Vaughn
Randall – Locus – Kincaid Award ($300), Robert Decker – Masked Bandit – Juror’s Choice
($200), Doug Drumm – Otto – People’s Choice ($100).

“The Arts Center is fortunate to have such thoughtful, long-standing, and generous supporters,
whose contributions allow us to present awards to our winners each year,” said Executive
Director Sarah Riddoch. “Ours is a community that truly takes care of itself — and celebrates
itself!”

For nearly 60 years, the Arts Center has enriched its community, showcasing artists, housing a
world-renowned handweaving collection, and offering diverse educational programs. Now, to
meet growing demand, it’s expanding! A new facility on James Street is being built to create a
cultural hub with expanded exhibition space, enhanced educational opportunities for all ages,
and a permanent home for a celebrated collection, establishing the Arts Center as a regional
destination and ensuring the arts thrive for generations to come.

Erin Greene, "The Lesson"

Robert Decker, "Masked Bandit"

Vaughn Randall, "Locus"

Doug Drumm, "Otto"

September 4 2025

Thousand Island Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum Awarded a Preserve New York Grant from the Preservation League of NYS

Marina Loew Uncategorized

CLAYTON, NY, 08/28/25 — Thousand Island Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum is one of this year’s Preserve New York grantees. Their grant of $3,480 will fund a Building Condition Report for the historic Tetrault House, located at 313 John Street in Clayton, NY. The Preservation League of NYS and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are thrilled to help fund this important work. At its 2025 meeting, an independent panel selected 31 applicants in 20 counties to receive support totaling $347,500. Grants represent both of the League’s signature NYSCA regrants – Preserve New York (PNY) and
Technical Assistance Grants (TAG).

“The Arts Center is grateful to the Preservation League for their support and understanding of our vision for our historic home on John Street,” explained the Arts Center’s Executive Director, Sarah Riddoch. “A building condition report is the first step in ensuring its future rehabilitation, long-term sustainability, safety, and continued use in alignment with the Arts Center’s mission.”

Grant funds will be used to retain Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt of Watertown, NY, to conduct a comprehensive building condition assessment, providing the essential roadmap and detailed funding needs for the restoration of the Art Center’s historic building, the Tetrault House.

“This year, the League has brought our two longstanding NYSCA partnership grants together into one cycle, allowing us to see a clear picture of the remarkable preservation work getting started across the state,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of NYS. “The targeted studies funded by TAG and the expansive reports made possible by PNY will lay the groundwork for many vital projects over the years to come.”

For details and photos of all the 2025 grantees, please visit our website: preservenys.org/blog/2025-regrants

“NYSCA is proud to support these diverse and essential projects that will allow organizations to plan for their future and safeguard New York’s rich cultural history for generations to come,” said Erika Mallin, Executive Director of NYSCA. “Congratulations to all of this year’s grantees and we look forward to the work you do across our state.”

Preserve New York is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has generously provided additional funds to support nonprofit projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Since 1993, Preserve New York Grants have been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. The building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys funded through this program lead to positive outcomes across New York’s 62 counties. These grants support important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to our state’s arts and cultural heritage. With the announcement of the 2025 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $4 million to 569 projects statewide.

About the Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum
The Thousand Islands Arts Center is a leading cultural institution in the North Country. Established in 1966, it is the region’s oldest arts center and the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to American-produced handwoven textiles. The Arts Center is committed to promoting art, craft, and our unique handwoven textile collection through education and exhibitions, with a core mission to provide year-round creative arts and culture programming for all ages. The Arts Center offers a diverse range of programs, including rotating exhibits, special events, and over 90 classes across 10+ disciplines. Annually serving hundreds of students—from children to adults—and welcoming thousands of gallery visitors and virtual followers, the Arts Center is currently undergoing a major campus expansion, with associated celebrations scheduled throughout 2026. Learn more at tiartscenter.org

About the Preservation League of New York State
Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys,
youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague and instagram.com/preservenys

About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts awarded $162 million in FY2025, serving organizations and artists across all 10 of the state’s regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

September 2 2025

The Thousand Islands Arts Center Expansion Weaves Together Community, Culture, and Growth in Clayton

Marina Loew Uncategorized

CLAYTON – The Thousand Islands Arts Center has made significant progress in support of its planned campus expansion, a project that stakeholders say will strengthen community bonds and act as an economic catalyst for the region. The project includes a new facility on James Street, the creation of a small Art Park, and enhancements to the existing pottery studio and the organization’s historic home on John Street.

The need for growth was highlighted at last week’s “Along the River’s Edge” exhibition opening when the Arts Center’s existing galleries were overflowing with guests, as additional visitors celebrated the work of more than 50 regional artists while gathering on the lawn and under the tent setup on the parking lot. The record turnout not only showcased the vibrant local arts scene but also demonstrated a shared enthusiasm for the Arts Center’s role as a cultural hub.

Over the past two months, the center has hosted five well-attended exhibit receptions and enrolled many new locals and visitors in more than 45 art classes for all skill levels. The center’s popular summer programming provided seven weeks of summer camps filled with creative activities for local children ages 5 – 10, and the Dine-Around series offered specialized small-group curated experiences.

A New Campus for a Growing Community

The Arts Center has played a vital role in our community since its founding in 1966, and as it approaches its 60th anniversary, the organization is increasing its programming and physical spaces to meet the growing demand for artistic endeavors locally. With phase I construction projected for completion in early 2026, the Arts Center is poised to support the region’s expanding cultural scene while contributing to the Village of Clayton’s economic growth. Retaining its historic 19th-century house on John Street, the construction on James Street will relocate the main entrance of the campus and feature expanded galleries and classrooms, while
improving access to the pottery studio, expanding green space, and introducing a sculpture garden.

Plans for expanded year-round programming will offer even more creative activities and opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages. Highlights of the upcoming fall schedule include:

The “Along the River’s Edge” exhibition is on display and free to the public at 314 John Street from August 20 to November 14.
Tickets are now on sale for the first-ever “Summer Arts Send-Off” on Saturday, September 13th. The event, being hosted on Bluff Island, offers guests the opportunity to view a sampling of the organization’s renowned American handweaving collection. Attendees will enjoy refreshments while taking in the views, wander the nature paths of Bluff Island, and be inspired by demonstrations of plein air painting, pottery, weaving, and photography. Boat transportation is included in the ticket price.
After School Arts (ASA) for youth in grades K-8 will again be offered in the Fall (October – December) and Spring (February – April), and scholarships are available. These classes introduce kids to many artistic disciplines, including pottery, painting, sculpting, mosaics, collage, and jewelry, among others. While working in each discipline, kids are given a background of some of the major artists in the field.
The 30th Annual Weaving History Conference will be held virtually from October 20-22, 2025. The annual conference offers the opportunity for academics, scholars, and fiber enthusiasts to take a deep dive into handweaving traditions and modern trends.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Arts Center invites the community to join its fourth annual Elves’ Fair! The family-friendly Elves’ Fair is free to the public and features a juried holiday art/craft market where you can discover one-of-a-kind gifts, handmade treasures, seasonal décor, and artisanal treats from talented local vendors.

Economic Impact and Looking Ahead

The arts and cultural sector has a significant economic impact, and an enhanced Arts Center will contribute to local tourism and economic growth. A 2022 analysis from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts found that New York’s artistic and cultural sector generated an estimated $151 billion for the state’s economy.

This growth is reflected locally as well, with Jefferson County experiencing a remarkable 117.8% increase in tourism dollars spent since 2019. The expansion of the Arts Center will further support this trend by offering more programming, events, and exhibits throughout the year. Planned programming expansion includes increased outreach to teens and retirees, opportunities for young families, and expanded exhibits and programs to attract more visitors and further boost the local economy.

The Thousand Islands Arts Center’s campus expansion is moving forward, fueled by a combination of public and private investment that highlights the community’s commitment to its long-term growth. The project, which is currently in its campaign phase, is relying heavily on local support to succeed.

“Our goal is for 45% of our funding to come from private donors, with the rest coming from a mix of state, federal, and foundation grants,” explained Executive Director Sarah Riddoch. “These local investments are crucial. They not only revitalize the campus but also help us establish an endowment, which will ensure the center’s continued growth and sustainability for the next 60 years.”

Investing in the arts sector offers a powerful return. Every dollar donated helps create a significant economic ripple effect, fostering a cycle of growth that directly benefits local communities. By supporting this project, residents and businesses are investing in the region’s own cultural and economic prosperity.

Construction on the new James Street building is well underway, with the framing and exterior sheathing now in place. The Arts Center has begun planning for its grand opening celebrations and expanded programming, both anticipated for 2026. For more information or to contribute to the campaign, visit TIArtsCenter.org or call 315-686-4123.