Clayton- The Thousand Islands Arts Center is looking for volunteers to assist with events, classes, mailings, facility and grounds maintenance, among others. If interested in helping out at the arts center, drop-in times have been scheduled.
The first volunteer information session is Thursday, May 16, 11am-2pm. At this time volunteers can pick up a packet and sign up for opportunities. The packet outlines the Arts Center’s history/present/future, trustee and staff contacts, highlights volunteer opportunities and more. Volunteers can sign up for specific events, including the 1000 Islands Art & Craft & Antique festival, this year Aug. 10-11. There will be light refreshments and sign-up sheets for each volunteer opportunity.
Other volunteer drop-in dates are Thursdays, May 23, May 30 and June 6, also 11am-2pm. If unable to attend one of these dates, feel free to contact Katherine Lake, events and volunteer coordinator, at Katherine@tiartscenter.org or (315) 686-4123 ext. 200 to get information.
The Thousand Islands Arts Center will have an exhibition showcasing the work of Elizabeth Grater and Becky Harblin. The exhibition will be on display Wednesday, June 5, through Saturday, July 6. There will be an opening reception Wednesday, June 26, from 5-7 pm, and is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Elizabeth B. Grater (1924- 2021) was a painter, depicting scenes from her life. She devoted her life to caring for others, expressing that care through love for her family and friends, and a desire to share her vision of the world’s beauty through her painting. She was born in Ogdensburg and began painting as a child in LaTuque, Quebec, before moving to Cornwall, Ont. She attended Smith College, earned a Nursing Degree from the Montreal General Hospital in 1946, and, with her husband Bill, moved to East Tennessee in 1954. There Elizabeth raised their four children and became an invaluable member of her community. Always, she made time for her art: sketching, painting, attending workshops, and studying with artists such as Charles S. Chapman, Rex Brandt, Hans Junga, Betty Lou Schlemm, and Keith Crown. She painted not for the accolades (though she received many), but for the love of art and especially her subjects: the landscapes of East Tennessee, her home for almost 70 years, and the St. Lawrence River, especially her beloved Halfway and St. Margarette’s Islands, where she spent every summer of her life. Treasured also are her portraits of her children and grandchildren. Always humble about her talent, Betty was hesitant to sell her work, but hundreds of her paintings grace the houses of friends and families across the country. In a statement about one of her more abstract paintings, Elizabeth described her work in this way: “I have enjoyed experimenting with many approaches and art media, but I keep returning to realism. This is not photographic realism, but the relationship of people and things around me which stimulate me to paint. I love the play of light and shadow and the hint of mystery which I hope will interest and involve the viewer.”
Elizabeth taught art for many years at Tennessee Wesleyan College through the Continuing Education program. She helped found the Athens Community Art League, and was a charter member of the Tennessee Watercolor Society. She also served for a number of years on the International Advisory Board of the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg, New York. Her paintings have been exhibited, often winning prizes, in galleries and shows in the south and northeast. Her work has appeared throughout the years at the Thousand Island Arts Center in the Along The River’s Edge exhibition.
Becky Harblin, pastel landscape and plein-air artist, draws her inspiration for this exhibition from the poem To Earthward by Robert Frost. One of his few love poems, Harblin pairs each of her pieces with a line from Frost’s work, depicting all seasons of rural life, from shores to dirt roads. A trained painter, Becky majored in art and did coursework at San Diego State University. Much of her painting now, after a career at The New Yorker magazine, and several newspapers, is working in pastels. Over the last twenty years, Becky has begun to incorporate her studies in Amazonian Healing (shamanism) into all her work beyond painting, including poetry, sculpture, and photography. The bulk of her painting is done plein air. She enjoys the direct contact with her subjects and the often-explicit interpretation of light in a landscape.
The Thousand Islands Arts Center is located at 314 John St., Clayton, Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm. More information can be found at www.tiartscenter.org.
CLAYTON – The Thousand Islands Arts Center is excited to announce its latest exhibit, “Better Together: Woven Expressions from the Syracuse Weavers Guild.” It will be on display Wednesday, Apr. 24 through Friday, May 24. A reception will be held Thursday, May 9, from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Sarah Riddoch, interim executive director, said: “This is a dynamic show filled with modern designs and funky, usable pieces. A crossbody purse, dog leashes, a zippered vest and tree skirt are among many other woven ‘expressions.’”
The mission of the Syracuse Weavers Guild is to stimulate an interest in the art and craft of weaving, achieve a high standard of excellence and help and encourage all persons interested in weaving. As the weavers believe, “Weaving can be a solitary endeavor. Being human is not,” This exhibition demonstrates how the guild inspires, motivates and supports its members as a group to excel individually.
“The talent in this exhibition is high, as seen in the exquisite textiles on display. The arts center is thrilled to have this opportunity to show this guild’s work. Members of the Syracuse Weavers Guild have been volunteering their time in museum’s collections, and are thrilled to be exhibiting their work in appreciation,” notes Marina Loew, Thousand Islands Arts Center curator. “There will be an artist’s talk Thursday, May 2, at 5:30, free and open to the public for anyone interested in meeting members of the guild.”
The Thousand Islands Arts Center is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional arts and handcrafts through educational programs, classes, lectures, and exhibitions. Home to a nationally-renowned permanent collection and library of hand-woven textiles, the Arts Center also offers a wide variety of classes for all levels of students – from the beginner to the professional artist. The Thousand Islands Arts Center’s mission is to advance art, craft and our unique textile collection through education and exhibition.
The sun is shining brightly at the start of the 2024 season for the Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum (TIAC). We’re absolutely thrilled to share what’s in store this year, including an exciting array of events, six exquisite exhibitions (one of which comes to us from Tasmania, Australia), and a wide selection of fun and educational art classes taught by renowned instructors. Our eclectic resale shop, Finders Keepers, will be taking a break from its traditional format this summer but will instead be filled with three estate sale extravaganzas! This year has been off to a tremendous start. We’ve had various pop-up events, including the popular Ceramics and Cocktails, which is co-hosted by Di Prinzio’s. The first one was quickly sold out!
Of the six exhibitions planned for this year, our spotlight shines first on the middle and high school students of the Thousand Islands Central School. Their work will be on display from February 28 to April 12, with a reception on Wednesday, Apr. 3, from 6:30-8 pm. Next comes Better Together: Woven Expressions from the Syracuse Weavers Guild, which will demonstrate how participating in a guild inspires, motivates, and supports its members to excel. In June, artist Becky Harblin will present her work in To Earthward, an exhibition of pastels inspired by a poem by Robert Frost. This will be shown alongside Elizabeth Grater: A Painting Legacy, showcasing some of the artist’s prolific and beautiful body of work. TIAC is excited to bring together the impressionistic work of the late Larry Tack, grandfather of local resident Elaine Tack, with that of Tasmanian landscape artist Nathaniel Hiller in Changes In Latitudes, opening on July 17. And our final exhibition will be the popular annual Along the River’s Edge, a juried show featuring the works of regional artists working in all mediums.
TIAC’s biggest event, the 1000 Islands Art & Craft & Antique Festival, returns in August with more than 70 vendors offering an array of handcrafted goods, antiques, and valuable collectibles. This will be followed by the 29th Annual Weaving History Conference, to be held virtually in October, and will include an impressive roster of academic presentations and unbeWEAVEable findings. An exclusive fundraiser will take place this year on Comfort Island highlighting the metal work of local artist Will Salisbury alongside pieces from California artists. Finally, the year will close in December with the return of the Elves’ Fair, a family-friendly holiday event. It will be the place to be for vendors, activities, entertainment, and holiday cheer! We have so much in store for 2024 and hope that you will join us by attending an event, registering for a class, visiting one of our exhibits, becoming a vendor, or volunteering at the Arts Center. No matter how you choose to find your home here, we look forward to welcoming you any time! For more information on exhibitions, classes and events, please visit us online at TIArtsCenter.org, stop by our center at 314 John Street in Clayton, or call 315.686.4123.
NEW BUILDING ON JAMES STREET
The Thousand Islands Arts Center (TIAC) was awarded a New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA grant in May to support the building of a new arts center and museum. In addition to the NYSCA grant, TIAC was fortunate to have the grant matched by a very generous anonymous supporter. Anyone who has taken a class, attended an event, or participated in an exhibition at TIAC has witnessed firsthand that we’ve outgrown our special, yet too small and aging, building at 314 John Street. While many share a great affection for the 1890s house and “Home of the Handweaving Museum,” it no longer supports our mission, collections, and ever-expanding programming as it is utilized today. Several possibilities are brewing for the repurposing of this building, including an artist-in-residence program and an expanded Finders Keepers outlet, which has grown to be a popular Clayton destination for locals, summer residents, and tourists alike. The new museum will be built at 321 James Street, the current home of Finders Keepers, which will be razed this summer. Schematic designs, which are nearing completion, include a three-story (plus basement), 13,000+ square foot structure with multiple galleries, one of which will have a permanent rotating textile exhibition displayed; three classrooms, one exclusively for our children’s programming; a gift shop, library, weaving studio, archives, and administrative space. A steering committee composed of dedicated trustees and supporters was formed in June and continues to meet weekly as it carefully plans and reviews all aspects of the project, keeping functionality, sustainability, maintenance, and aesthetics top of mind. TIAC has engaged Taylored Architecture, PLLC of Clayton for design services, and Black Horse Construction Group of Watertown, a woman and veteran-owned enterprise, for building. Groundbreaking is anticipated for this summer with completion by fall 2025.
Public information sessions will be offered this spring, and social media updates will be posted regularly – so check often for more information. TIAC is thrilled to add to an already vibrant downtown Clayton and contribute to growing and enriching the cultural experience in the North Country. The addition of this museum is transformational for TIAC and the entire Thousand Islands region!
HISTORY
The mission of Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum (TIAC) is to advance art, craft and our unique handwoven textile collection through education and exhibition. Our vision as a non-profit educational institution is to enrich lives through art and craft experiences. TIAC began as the Thousand Islands Craft School founded in Clayton in 1966, and in its first year had a mere 44 students. It now serves over 600 students annually and offers a wide variety of classes in all mediums. TIAC is the only museum dedicated to American handweaving in the United States. The Arts Center has established and maintains a year-round arts curriculum, a permanent textile collection and library, and two dedicated studios for weaving and pottery. TIAC also sponsors additional educational programs, an annual textile conference, and a minimum of five yearly exhibitions for the public. TIAC is committed to developing awareness, fostering skills, and building appreciation for the arts.
CLAYTON – The Thousand Islands Arts Center is pleased to welcome Sarah Riddoch as interim executive director and to announce Marina Loew as the new assistant director, effective immediately.
Sarah is a real estate professional, having been in the industry for 18 years. She also worked as editor of the Thousand Islands Sun, holding that position for eight years. She has worked in marketing, business promotion and with the Clayton Local Development Corporation. She’s served on the local district’s school board and is a trustee and secretary of the Thousand Islands Screen and Dramatic Arts organization. Riddoch has been managing TIAC’s resale shop, Finders Keepers, for three years, overseeing all volunteers, donations, merchandising, pricing, and promoting.
Sarah said of her new position, “I am excited to be stepping in as interim director for the arts center. It feels like a natural role, as I have been on the board for nearly a decade and on the executive committee for most of those years. We have a fantastically dedicated team in the office and a passionate and involved board of trustees. With so much enthusiasm for our TIAC family it’s easy to love all we do as an organization.”
Marina, who has been the curator since 2017, takes on the new role and title of assistant director & curator. She will be continuing to bring new and dynamic exhibits to the arts center, maintaining and preserving the handweaving collection, as well as now pursuing grant opportunities and developing and maintaining a museum store. “I’m excited to be entering this position,” she said, “and I look forward to working alongside Sarah as we head into an exciting new phase for the Arts Center. There is a lot to do but, thanks to the support of our wonderful board and hardworking staff, I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!”
The Thousand Islands Arts Center has welcomed Meghan Caddick, Caroline Holt Larson and Robin Gedney Lucas to its Board of Trustees. The board will also have a new board chairwoman, Sarah Riddoch, and vice chairwoman, Jan Hampton, Jan. 1.
For more information, check out the NNY 360 article below.
Clayton, NY (June 8, 2023) – The Thousand Islands Arts Center (TI Arts Center) announced a grant award totaling $2 million from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the organization’s new arts facility construction. This grant is part of a record large capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $90.5 million distributed to 19 projects across New York State.
“We are ecstatic! On behalf of TI Arts Center’s Board and staff, I would like to thank Governor Hochul and the New York State Council on the Arts,” said Chris Murray, TI Arts Center Board Chair. “Our facility at 314 John Street is not sustainable or suitable for the organization long-term. Establishment of a new arts center is necessary to properly preserve and exhibit the textile collection, provide welcome access to the fiber arts library, handweaving studio, and classrooms.”
“The TI Arts Center is located in a house constructed in the late 1800s,” added Executive Director, Kathleen Ferguson. “It’s costly to maintain and limits our ability to serve our community. We rent off-site space because we have an insufficient number of classrooms. One of our classrooms and our fiber arts library are located upstairs and we have no elevator. Our handwoven textile collection is vulnerable because we lack a climate-controlled environment for storage. We are thrilled that the New York State Council on the Arts is providing funding for a new arts center.”
As a multi-purpose arts and cultural facility, the new center will operate as a local and regional venue for artists and artisans to showcase their work, collaborate, and foster civic engagement. A new energy-efficient and ADA compliant facility will be constructed at 321 James Street (current home of the TI Arts Center’s Finders Keepers resale shop). The cottage on James Street will be razed. The anticipated start date is 10/1/2023 and completion date is 6/1/25. The Board and staff are identifying opportunities and making final decisions about the project. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available and, the organization will be soliciting feedback from the community.
Founded in 1966, the TI Arts Center’s programs offer a year-round opportunity for visitors of all ages and socioeconomic status to engage with art and explore their creativity. Each year, more than 600 attend classes and more than 1,000 visit their galleries. Attracting locals and tourists alike, they highlight over ten disciplines including weaving, drawing, fiber arts, painting, photography, pottery, and basketry. The TI Arts Center’s mission is to advance art, craft, and, their unique handwoven textile collection through education and exhibition.
“From New York City to the North Country, we are investing in our state’s robust arts and culture sector to ensure all New Yorkers, regardless of their background, have access to the transformative power of art,” Governor Hochul said. “Our unprecedented support for this shared vision of accessible and sustainable cultural spaces will result in a stronger economy, more jobs, and improved community and personal health for New Yorkers and our visitors from around the globe.”
NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus said, “We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for this historic level of capital grantmaking. These critical investments will support visionary expansions, essential facility improvements, and community-building strategies that will promote health, safety, and accessibility. We commend the Thousand Islands Arts Center for their bold and inspirational project that will deliver the measurable benefits of the arts to New Yorkers and our visitors for generations to come.”
NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said, “Capital projects for the arts are an investment in our communities, our health, and our prosperity for decades to come. On behalf of the Council and staff, I congratulate the Thousand Islands Arts Center on its vision and dedication to serving the residents and visitors of New York and we look forward to seeing all that will flourish from this initiative.”
NYSCA’s Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture support arts and cultural institutions across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants range from $2 million to $10 million for projects with a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments to expand cultural programming, reach new and diverse audiences, and promote accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State’s goals around diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all grantees to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers. NYSCA’s Large Capital Improvement Grants program is administered in coordination with Empire State Development, which reviews applications to evaluate the potential for projects to support local placemaking, community development, and downtown revitalization efforts.
About the New York State Council on the Arts
NYSCA preserves and advances the arts and culture that make New York State an exceptional place to live, work and visit. NYSCA upholds the right of all New Yorkers to experience the vital contributions the arts make to our communities, education, economic development, and quality of life. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, NYSCA will award record funding in FY 2023, providing support across the full breadth of the arts.
NYSCA 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 Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, NYSCA is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit http://www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
CLAYTON, NY (May 22, 2023) – Finders Keepers, the popular resale store located at 314 John Street in Clayton, will open for its fourth season on Wednesday, May 24. All merchandise is donated and 100% of the proceeds from Finders Keepers benefit the Thousand Islands Arts Center (TIAC).
The shop carries an eclectic array of new and gently used items including furniture, antiques/vintage/thrift, kitchenware, artwork, rugs, collectibles, handbags, linens, jewelry and more. Finders Keepers is open 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday-Saturday, May 24 through October 7, and is staffed by volunteers and trustees. If you’d like to donate to Finders Keepers, please call 315-686-4123 x 7.
CLAYTON, NY (May 22,2023) – The Thousand Islands Arts Center (TIAC) is hosting a Volunteer Gathering on Thursday, May 25 th from 10am to 11am at 314 John Street in Clayton. Interested volunteers of all ages are welcome to attend and learn more about TIAC, meet the staff, and connect with other volunteers. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing Katherine@TIArtsCenter.org or calling 315.686.4123 x 200.
“If you’re an extrovert, TIAC needs volunteers to help with exhibition receptions and events like the annual 1000 Islands Art & Craft & Antique Festival. And, for introverts, volunteer opportunities include office support, baking, and watering flowers,” said Katherine Lake, TIAC event and volunteer coordinator. “Additionally, we couldn’t operate Finders Keepers, our eclectic resale shop, without volunteers. Volunteers play an integral role in making TIAC a successful institution. Our enthusiastic and committed volunteers provide much-needed support.”