Polar Express Celebration Returns to Nigra Arts Center

On Saturday, December 9, the Polar Express Celebration will return to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts for the third consecutive year. The event, sponsored by Fidelis Care, will take place from 12-3 p.m. at the center, located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville.

Admission is $5 per person to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.

The popular gathering will feature hot chocolate (free with admission), crafts, a holiday basket raffle, entertainment and all kinds of family fun inspired by the classic tale “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Concessions will be available and so will Santa Claus, who will make an appearance for photographs.

In addition, the event will feature Sensory Santa, who will be available from 12-2 p.m. Sensory Santa is ideal for children with special needs who may want to meet Santa in a quieter setting without being overwhelmed by large crowds, bright lights and loud music. 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. 

Call for Artists - 2018 Winter Art Show

Show Dates: January 18 – April 4, 2018
Submission Deadline: December 18, 2017

Exhibition Details:

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is pleased to announce its 2018 Winter Art Show.

When the leaves fall off the trees and the weather goes cold, what better way to bring warmth and color back into your life than with a gallery full of beautiful art? Help us chase away the winter blues by submitting your 2-D and 3-D pieces to this dynamic show. Works of all media and themes are welcome.

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

Awards:
Through the generous donation of supporters, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer awards and prizes for this show.

Eligibility:
•    All works must be original works of the artists.
•    All entries must be of original design and personal execution created within the past 2 years.
•    Artwork previously shown at Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is not eligible.

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. Payment should be made at www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. Entry fees are non-refundable and must be paid by the entry deadline.

Legal:
•    All works must be of original design and copyright of the artist.
•    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.
•    The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts may rescind the right of hanging any work unsuitably presented or misrepresented.

Selected Works:
•    Selection notification will be sent by email by December 22, 2017.
•    Selected works must be received at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts during the following days: Wednesday, January 10; Thursday, January 11; and Friday, January 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday, January 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.
•    Works that are shipped to the Nigra Art Center must be received by January 13, 2018. The mailing address for the Nigra Art Center is 2736 New York 30, Gloversville, NY 12078.
•    The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will retain a 20% commission on all works sold.
•    Selected artwork must be suitably framed and ready for installation.
•    All shipping is at the expense of the artist. There will be a $10 handling fee for each package shipped to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. The handling fee covers condition reporting and photographing of the work as it arrives, and follow up condition report at the conclusion of the exhibition. You must include a prepaid shipping label for the return of the work. Accepted artists will receive detailed information regarding shipping and handling requirements.

Important Dates:
Deadline for submission: December 18, 2017
Notification of acceptance: December 22, 2017
Work to be received at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts by: January 13, 2018
Selection of Awards: January 15, 2018
Notification of Awards: January 17, 2018
Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: January 25, 2018
Exhibition Closes: April 4, 2018

Entering You Images:
You can enter your images online at www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. Entry form must be filled out in its entirety. List sizes up to the nearest inch. Submitted images must not include matting or frame. Crop the photos to include only the artwork. Be sure your images are right-side-up.

Before uploading your images, make sure they are smaller than 4MB, but at least 1920 pixels on the longest side at 72 dpi. Images should be in JPEG format, sRGB color space. Help in photographing your work and properly sizing your images can be found at: www.OnlineJuriedShows.com/help.aspx. If you need help entering your images or are unable to, please write to us here: https://onlinejuriedshows.com/Contact.aspx

Please add Services@OnlineJuriedShows.com and Manager@OnlineJuriedShows.com to your safe senders list to ensure notifications are received.

Location: Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, 2736 New York 30, Gloversville, New York

Senior Soirée Coming Back to Nigra Arts Center

On Friday, October 20, senior citizens are invited to participate in the Fall Senior Soirée at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. The event, sponsored by Fidelis Care, will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the center, located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville.

“We held our first Senior Soirée back in June and it was a huge success,” said Sue Nigra, director of the Nigra Arts Center. “The demand for a second soirée was overwhelming. We can’t wait to welcome more men and women to enjoy our next one.”

The Senior Soirée will feature lunch and live entertainment. Participants will be able to choose in advance from several classes, ranging from African drumming, chair yoga and painting to how to make holiday hors d’oeuvres. Other classes will include holiday bow making and accessorizing fall/winter fashions.

Admission is $25 per person. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by visiting pncreativeartscenter.org or calling the Nigra Arts Center at (518) 661-9932.

Durey Creek Bluegrass Band to perform at Nigra Arts Center

The Durey Creek Bluegrass Band will perform a concert at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts on Friday, October 20. The show begins at 7 p.m. The arts center is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

The band, comprised of Bob Kilmer on bass, Marilyn Fegley on rhythm guitar and harmony vocals, Jeff Nasadoski on banjo and Nancy Purcell on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, originated in the North Bush United Methodist Church in 2008. They specialize in bluegrass and gospel music performed at churches, community events, fairs, festivals and other venues around Fulton County and throughout New York’s Capital Region.

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

This concert is underwritten by the generous support of John and Sunday Blackmon as well as other sponsors of the Nigra Arts Center’s concert series. It is the ninth 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.

The Zombies are Coming to Nigra Arts Center!

On Saturday, October 28, dress up as a ZOMBIE and prepare to scare up some fun at the Zombie Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. The public is invited to participate in and/or sponsor this family fun event, which will take place on the grounds of the center, located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville.

Registration will take place from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and the Zombie Fun Run/Walk will kick off at 10 a.m. Participants will receive a free t-shirt as long as they register by October 20. The entry fee is $25 per person. Those who wish to register can do so at http://pncreativeartscenter.org/ or in person the day of the event for $30. T-shirts will be included based on availability. Children 5 and under are admitted free (no shirt provided).

Throughout the course, zombie runners and walkers will be greeted by friendly ghouls and creatures who will shower them with sweet treats while scaring up plenty of laughs – all in the name of good fun! The race will not be timed. Water will be available on site.

Following completion of the Zombie Fun Run/Walk, there will be a Zombie Party featuring live entertainment, a costume contest, creepy and cool face painting, and food for sale.

Businesses who wish to sponsor the Zombie Fun Run/Walk should contact Amanda Bowman at (518) 775-9863 or bowmana@lexcenter.org or Lynette May at (518) 774-3292 or mayl@lexcenter.org. For more information about this event, visit pncreativeartscenter.org.
The rain date is Saturday, November 4.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts unveils 2017 Fall Art Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is proud to announce the opening of its 2017 Fall Art Show, “The Art of Disguise.” The submitted works celebrate fall with a little mystery and intrigue by interpreting the theme of disguise and camouflage. In addition to the regular gallery submissions, the Nigra Arts Center is also exhibiting a display of 3-D masks that fully embrace the Halloween season.

Butterfly Dreams by Linda Naske

The show hangs from October 5, 2017, to January 10, 2018. It features work in a wide variety of media from both local artists and artists from other states, such as North Carolina, Rhode Island and Utah.

More than 40 artists are exhibiting more than 78 pieces in this show. The featured artists include Amy Andujar, Joshua Brooks, Doreen Calhoun, Ross Carangelo, Bobby Carr, Douglas Countryman, Susan Dawkins, Francis Dempsey, Ron Dennis, Katherine L. Ehle, Richard Freeman, Katey Germain, Warren Greene, Jamie Hayner, Carol M. Hesselink, Alexandra Higgins, Linda Hinkle, Jack Horning, Michele Johnsen, Nancie Johnson, Linda Kollar, Edward McDaniel, Laurie Mickel, Sharon Miller, Hope Morrow Glidden, Paul M. Murray, Lynda Naske, Mary Alice Orito, Ellen Rae Panero, Laura Penge Burda, Abby Preston, Taylor Skinner, Patsy Suydam, Paul Valovic, Jean Van Pelt, Kevin Wright, Setsuko Yoshida and the artists of the Transitions and Creative Expressions programs.

Through the generous support of donors, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer awards and prizes to outstanding submissions in this show. Award winners will be announced at the Meet the Artists Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 19, from 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend, see the show and meet some of the featured artists. Light refreshments will be served.

The opening reception will also feature the raffle drawing for the Nigra Arts Center’s Little Gems Fundraiser. For this special exhibit, local artists donated works on 5”x5” canvases to be raffled off to benefit the arts center. Forty-six pieces were donated in total.

The public is welcome to view the artwork in the Nigra Arts Center’s Community Gallery throughout its run. The gallery is open 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.

NIGHT OUT Coming to Nigra Arts Center!

The Lexington Foundation’s NIGHT OUT will take place at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts on Friday, September 22. The event begins at 6 p.m. The arts center is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

The NIGHT OUT will feature food and craft beer from Lanzi’s on the Lake, musical performances by Pat Decker and Flame, raffles and auctions, magician Shaun Robison, dancing and much more. Proceeds will benefit the Nigra Arts Center and Transitions.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is upstate New York's premier community arts center, providing classes in music, dance, art, yoga, cooking and more. The center houses exceptional art venues, hosts family fun events, and provides educational opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and artistic skills. Additionally, the Nigra Arts Center is a popular venue for private and corporate events.

Transitions is making a difference in the lives of young people and families by providing the training and skills needed for students to live independently and follow their college and career dreams. This outstanding college and career Apprenticeship program is uniquely designed for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, nonverbal learning disabilities and other learning differences.

Individual tickets for the NIGHT OUT are $100. Tables for 10 and sponsorships are also available. For more information, visit pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

CLMF Concert Showcase & Brunch to take center stage at Nigra Arts Center

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is presenting an exciting event that combines a delicious brunch in its spacious Grand Gallery with the incredible sounds of the world-renowned musicians of the Caroga Lake Music Festival (CLMF).  The CLMF Musician Celebration Concert Showcase & Brunch will take place Sunday, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the arts center, located at 2736 State Highway 30.

The Caroga Lake Music Festival offers a series of performances and community outreach throughout the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley, New York City and beyond. The musicians of the festival have quickly become well known throughout Upstate New York for bringing outstanding musical artistry and diverse instruments to traditional stages as well as backyard and lakefront concerts.

Attracting audiences locally and nationwide, the CLMF is dedicated to increasing accessibility to chamber music, cultivating creative and interactive experiences, and showcasing some of the world’s top professional artists from the U.S. and abroad. The festival features unique multi-genre programming, from classical to contemporary music and small ensembles to orchestras.

The CLMF is directed by its founder, cellist Kyle Barrett Price. To learn more, visit carogalakemusicfestival.org.

Tickets for this special event cost $25 per adult and $15 for children under 10. The brunch menu will include quiche, stuffed French toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salad greens, refreshments and desserts.

Reserve your spot today by visiting pncreativeartscenter.org or calling (518) 661-9932. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

Call for Artists: The Art of Disguise

Help the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts celebrate the fall season with a little mystery and intrigue!  The center is seeking submissions for its 2017 Fall Art Show, “The Art of Disguise.” Pieces should consist of 2-D and 3-D works that embrace the theme of disguise.  Artists who are masters of this theme are welcome - as well as those who have simply found a subtle way to camouflage hidden images.

In addition to the regular gallery submissions, the Nigra Arts Center is also seeking 3-D mask submissions to fully embrace the season. There will be a bonus award for the most creative mask.

The show will run from October 5, 2017, to January 10, 2018. The deadline for submission is September 10. Works of all media are welcome. Pieces should be submitted via the website www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. This is not a juried show, but the website allows for ease of submission and selection by the curator.

Artists may submit up to three works with an entry fee of $25 and $10 per additional entry, for a total of five pieces maximum. Members of the Nigra Arts Center may submit three works with an entry fee of $15 and $7 per additional entry, for a total of five pieces maximum. Through the generous donations of supporters, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer $450 in awards and prizes to outstanding submissions.

Notification of selection will be sent via email by September 13. Selected works can be delivered to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 27, 28 and 29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday, September 30, 9 a.m. to noon. Works that are shipped to the Nigra Arts Center should be received by September 30. The mailing address for the center is 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville, NY 12078.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will hold an Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 19, 6-8 p.m. All are welcome to attend, see the exhibition and meet some of the featured artists.

For more information about the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts and this show, please visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932. To submit work to this show, please visit www.OnlineJuriedShows.com and scroll down to find the Nigra Arts Center’s listing.

Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts unveils 2017 New York State Summer Art Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is proud to announce the opening of its second annual 2017 New York State Summer Art Show. The show, which will hang from June 15 until September 27, features work from artists who come from cities across New York State, including Latham, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Utica, Lake George, Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs, as well as local artists. 

South Beach by Linda Hinkle

More than 35 artists and 93 pieces are featured in this show. The featured artists include Amy Andujar, Linda Biggers, Joshua Brooks, Donald Cooper, Rhea Costello, Julius Cucinella, Ron Dennis, P. Dwyer-Orlosky, Richard Freeman, Sheridan Gowen, Jamie Hayner, Linda Hinkle, Nancie Johnson, James Leddick, Eva Marie Loucks, Greg Maklae, Maryanne Malecki, Carol McCord, Teresa Mielewski, Christian O’Callaghan, Allison Patnode, Reuben Peeler, Caroline Pendlebury, Sandra Peters, Michelle Raspanti, Lily Seeley, Brian Tanner, Bonnie Tompkins, Paul Valovic, Darlene Van Sickle, Jessica VanSlyke-Seeley, Lynne Vokatis, David Waite, Sean Walmsley and the artists at Saratoga Bridges Creative Endeavors Art Center.

Through the generous support of donors, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is able to offer awards and prizes for this show. Award winners will be announced at the Meet the Artists Opening Reception on Thursday, June 29, 6-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at this 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 public is also welcome to view the artwork in the Nigra Arts Center’s Community Gallery throughout its run. The gallery is open 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.

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.

Color-A-Thon Run & Walk to Benefit Nigra Arts Center

Get ready for a rainbow of colors and fun during a Color-A-Thon Run & Walk on Saturday, July 15, to benefit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts! The public is invited to participate in and/or sponsor the colorful event, which will take place on the grounds of the center, located at 2736 State Highway 30. Registration will take place 9-10 a.m. and the run/walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Participants will receive a free t-shirt and a color pack as long as they register by July 4.

Throughout the family fun course, runners and walkers will be splashed with washable color dust at “color bomb stations.” The dust is safe, non-toxic and completely washable. The race will not be timed.

Participants will be able to purchase fun items the day of the Color-A-Thon Run & Walk, ranging from sunglasses and socks to rainbow wigs and tutus. Water will be available on site. There will also be food for sale and live entertainment during a Color Blast Party!

The entry fee is $30 per person. Those who wish to register can do so at LexingtonCenterColorRun.com or in person the day of the event. Businesses who wish to sponsor the Color-A-Thon Run & Walk should contact Amanda Bowman at (518) 775-9863 or bowmana@lexcenter.org or Lynette May at (518) 774-3292 or mayl@lexcenter.org. For more information about this event, visit pncreativeartscenter.org.

The rain date is Saturday, July 22.

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.

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. 

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.

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.