Nigra Arts Center Unveils 2018 Fiber, Textile Art and Quilt Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is proud to announce the opening of its first-ever 2018 Fiber, Textile Art and Quilt Show. This celebration of fiber arts features a variety of works, including quilts, tapestries, felted wool sculptures, hooked rugs, textile installations, hand-woven fabrics, dyed silks, knitted clothing and more, from both contemporary artists and artists from previous generations. In addition to local craftspeople, this show features artists living in Rhode Island and Costa Rica.

“Best in Show” winner, “Lost and Being Found,” a wall hanging made of wool, mohair, cotton and industrial felt by Kate Park.

More than 22 artists are exhibiting more than 50 pieces in this show. The featured artists include Susan Albanese, Liz Argotsinger, Cheryl Bielli, Doug Countryman, Judith Craddock, Deja Donde, Brenda Dwyer, Daniel V. Ehle, Eleanor Ehle, Katherine L. Ehle, Mary Jane Harford, Carol M. Hesselink, Alice Hudson, Janelle Krause, Kate Park, Kathie Raneri, Helen V. Riddle, Coty Rulison, Diane K. Seney, Lita Setchfield, Laurie Snell, Cecelia Tkaczyk, Toni Turner, Mikyle Woodward and Eileen Wrightsman. In addition, the show featured many more antique and handmade pieces loaned by local private collections.

Second place winner, “We Are the Dreamers,” a handwoven textile by Lita Setchfield.

This show will hang until January 9, 2019. Through the generous support of donors, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts was able to offer awards and prizes to outstanding submissions in this show. Award winners were at the Meet the Artists Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 11. The first place “Best in Show” winner was “Lost and Being Found,” a wall hanging made of wool, mohair, cotton and industrial felt by Kate Park. The second place winner was “We Are the Dreamers,” a handwoven textile by Lita Setchfield. The third place winner was “Flowers Throughout the Seasons,” a hand-stitched quilt by Judith Craddock.

Third place winner, “Flowers Throughout the Seasons,” a hand-stitched quilt by Judith Craddock.

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. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. The admission fee for the gallery is $5 per person. Members of the Nigra Arts Center, children under the age of 18 and artists who have work in the current show are exempt from the admission fee. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. For more

Nigra Arts Center announces award recipients for 2018 New York State Summer Art Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is proud to announce the award winners for its third annual New York State Summer Art Show. The show features work from artists who hail from cities throughout New York State, including Ballston Spa, Castleton, Delanson, Fort Plain, Gloversville, Hadley, Lake Pleasant, Lockport, Mayfield, Milton, New York City, Niskayuna, Olmstedville, St. Johnsville, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and more. Awards were presented at a public opening reception on Thursday, July 12. The reception was attended by dozens of artists and members of the community.

Awards were presented to winners by Brenda Dwyer, gallery administrator of the Nigra Arts Center, and Wally Hart, executive director of the Nigra Arts Center. Pictured in the first row, from left to right, are Linda Wilkinson, Tiina Bockrath, Constance A. Dodge and Sandra Hildreth accepting their awards. Pictured in the second row are “Marble Quarry” by Linda Wilkinson, “Koi Pond – Feeding” by Tiina Bockrath, “Hope Falls” by Constance A. Dodge and “Barnum Brook, May” by Sandra Hildreth. Pictured in the third row are Deborah Angilletta, Lewis Bryden, Timothy Prendergast and Margaret Bromford accepting their awards. Pictured in the fourth row are “Fly Creek Evening” by Deborah Angilletta, “Seafood” by Lewis Bryden, “Mike’s” by Timothy Prendergast and “Meet the Onion Family” by Margaret Bromford.

The winners of the Best in Show categories for the show are as follows:

Best in Show – Photography
First Place: “Fishing” by L. Paul Masto (Amsterdam, NY)
Second Place: “Marble Quarry” by Linda Wilkinson (Amsterdam, NY)
Third Place: “Koi Pond – Feeding” by Tiina Bockrath (Cambridge, NY)

Best in Show – Landscape
First Place: “Hope Falls” by Constance A. Dodge (Edinburg, NY)
Second Place: “Barnum Brook, May” by Sandra Hildreth (Saranac Lake, NY)
Third Place: “Fly Creek Evening” by Deborah Angilletta (Scotia, NY)

Best in Show – All Media
First Place: “Seafood” by Lewis Bryden (New York, NY)
Second Place: “Mike’s” by Timothy Prendergast (Scotia, NY)
Third Place: “Meet the Onion Family” by Margaret Bromford (Johnstown, NY)

Other artists featured in the show include Cheryl Bielli, Joshua Brooks, Lacy Brower, Bob Buck, Doreen Calhoun, Donald Cooper, Richard Joel Davis, Carollee Duross, Bob Fisher, Dick Foster, Jutta Gloeckner, Lawrence Groesbeck, Deborah Handy, Alexandra Higgins, David Holly, Jack Horning, Nancie Johnson, Elizabeth Knapp, Leena Kutti, Maria Licciardi, Garlyn MaGinnis, Maryanne Malecki, Carol McCord, Shannon Meers, Alan Montinari, John Morrette, Sandra Peters, Joanne Petrozzi-Jones, Margo Singer, Paul Valovic, Darlene Van Sickle, Lynne Vokatis, William W., Sean Walmsley, Gerald Wein and Kevin Wright.

The New York State Summer Art Show and Sale will hang until September 25 at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. The majority of the pieces on display are for sale. The public is welcome to view the show throughout its run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The admission fee for the gallery is $5 per person. Members of the Nigra Arts Center, artists who have work in the current show and children under the age of 18 are exempt from the admission fee. For more information, please call (518) 661-9932 or visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org.

NIGRA ARTS CENTER RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts in Gloversville, New York is being honored with a 2017 Award of Excellence by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. This award acknowledges their creation of an inclusive environment where artistic expression and diverse creativity can flourish for all aspiring and established artists, both with and without disability. The community-based facility offers classes, exhibits, productions, concerts, camps, workshops, and other enrichment experiences where all participants are respected as artists, actors, dancers, musicians, and aspiring chefs.

Angela Rapp Kennedy, Vice President, CQL; Mary Kay Rizzolo, CEO, CQL; Shaloni Winston, Executive Director, Lexington; and Daniel Richardson, Deputy Executive Director, Lexington.

“The Nigra Arts Center has a genuine attentiveness to each person as an artist. Instead of focusing on disability as being the context for their creation, each artist’s work stands on its own, just as it should. It’s a refreshing approach,” says Mary Kay Rizzolo, President and CEO of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. CQL is presenting five recipients with the 2017 CQL Award of Excellence at the 2017 CQL Conference, themed ‘Blueprint for Person-Centered Practices,’ in recognition of best practices in human services.

The Lexington Foundation, of Lexington, a chapter of the Arc of New York, owns and operates the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. Following numerous Personal Outcome Measures® interviews, Lexington discovered that many people had interest in the creative arts and wanted more opportunities to enjoy and express themselves. This center is unique in that community members take part in program activities, right along with those receiving more formal supports. The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts also does not differentiate artists based on diagnosis during juried exhibitions, as there is no reference at all to an artist’s disability. 

“We are most proud to see people with disabilities recognized for their individual talents and abilities by everyone who comes to the arts center.  Every day they are learning and sharing experiences with others who have common goals and aspirations. This has helped them feel respected and to be true members of the community,” said Shaloni Winston, Executive Director of Lexington and the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. “We are grateful to CQL for this honor and recognition.”

The mission of the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is to provide a creative educational resource for people of all ages and abilities while celebrating the arts through classes, entertainment, exhibitions, and special events. Additionally, they are committed to offering accessible art programs for adults and children with developmental and physical differences.

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts announces award recipients for 2016 Statewide Summer Art Show

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts has unveiled its 2016 Statewide Summer Art Show, featuring paintings, photography, mosaics, sculptures and mixed media pieces by more than 45 artists from all over New York State. Through the generous support of donors, the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts was able to offer $750 in awards and prizes for the participating artists, including the Helen Ireland Hays Memorial Award for watercolor works, the Mary Cleland Art Award for all eligible media and the Frank Nigra Memorial Art Award for all eligible media created by individuals with disabilities.

Pictured: Lucy Suhr, winner of the Helen Ireland Hays Memorial Award for Watercolor; Linda Biggers, honorable mention for the Mary Cleland Art Award; Linda Kollar, winner of the Mary Cleland Art Award; and Francis Dempsey, winner of the Frank Nigra Memorial Art Award.

Helen Ireland Hays was an avid painter with a particular fondness for watercolor. Born and raised in Johnstown, she lived there for nearly all of her 100 years. Hays was a strong supporter of the arts who encouraged and contributed to many arts organizations, programs and individual artists. The recipient of the award named in her honor is Lucy Suhr of Amsterdam for her watercolor painting “Chinese Eagle and Pine.” Honorable mentions went to James Leddick of Oneida Lewis ARC in Utica for his painting “Berries” and Sally Storman of Auburn for her still life “Two Apples.”

Mary Cleland is an artist who has worked many media, including oils, acrylics, watercolor and ceramics. As a retired art teacher, she has shared her love for art with countless people and is thrilled to have a granddaughter following in her footsteps as an artist. For the award named after her, Cleland selected Linda Kollar of Glen and her mixed media piece “Enlightened” as the recipient. Honorable mentions went to Linda Biggers of Broadalbin for her mixed media and eggshell mosaic piece “Moonlight Dancers” and Janene Bouck of Broadalbin for her photograph “Glove City Swamp.”

Frank Nigra was a prolific artist who painted more than 1,000 pieces in his lifetime. He was also the father of the late Paul Nigra, the former longtime executive director of Lexington who gave the arts center its name. Frank Nigra’s work is an inspiration to his family and to the men and women supported by Lexington. The recipient of the award given in his memory is Francis Dempsey of Mayfield for his mixed media piece “Freedom to the Galaxy.” Honorable mentions went to Pritpal Anand of AHRC in Suffolk County for his photograph “Timeless” and Stephanie Brown of AHRC in Suffolk County for her photograph “Inside Out.”  

Winners of each award will receive $250. The show will hang from August 4 to October 5. The public is welcome to view the winning pieces as well as the rest of 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.

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 Music Teacher DiAnne Mott Nominated for a Grammy!

Congratulations to DiAnne Mott, who taught music and rhythm classes at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts this summer! She has been selected as one of only 25 semifinalists from all over the country for the 2016 Grammy Music Educator Award. This award is presented every year by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation to recognize educators who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field of music education.

DiAnne Mott teaches her Music & Rhythm class at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts this summer.

DiAnne was chosen from more than 4,500 educators nominated. In December the semifinalists will be narrowed down to 10 finalists, who will each receive a $1,000 honorarium and grants for their schools. One winner will attend the Grammy Award ceremony in Los Angeles in February and receive a $10,000 honorarium.

For most of the year, DiAnne teaches music and leads the bands at Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District. There is no one more deserving of this award, because there is no one more passionate about what she does. You make us all proud, DiAnne!