Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann
Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Susan Brink, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Chef Armand Vanderstigchel, Alan B. Richer, Kirsten Ferguson
COVER
“ Minne-Ha-Ha” Oil on board, 6x6, Lisa David
July is officially here, and with it comes the long-awaited season of backyard cookouts, sun-drenched afternoons, and festival-filled weekends.
As you leaf through these pages, we invite you to take a moment to pause. While online images are consumed at an impossible speed of swiping and scrolling, a physical magazine asks for a quieter, tactile engagement. Let the work included here—from deep dives into plein air painting and galleries to a comprehensive guide to this month's dining hotspot—spark your imagination.
Whether you're planning a grand getaway or just looking to enjoy a quiet, sunlit morning in the park, we hope this issue inspires you to seize the day without the stress. Savor the sweet slice of watermelon, marvel at the colors of fireworks, and make time to relax.
As always, I’m so grateful to our talented writers, our group of advertisers that grace our pages, to our readers for their curiosity, and to the creative community for your co ntinued embrace of 518 Profiles.
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
“An Art Desert in the Middle of Nowhere” Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery pg. 6
The Lakeside General Store Where everyone knows your name. pg. 14
The Oakroom Artists
A Fine Art Group with Talent To Spare! pg. 22
Eden Compton -Revealing Saratoga Springs Immigrant History, One Painting at a Time pg. 32
July 1 to 25 • Reception Saturday, July 11, 4 to 6
Janet Marie Yeates Oil Paintings Nancy Niefield Ceramics
August 1 to 29 • Don Russsell & Maria Clara Castano
“An Art Desert in the Middle of Nowhere”
Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery
by Rona Mann
Yes, it’s a studio.
And yes, it’s also a gallery.
But above all, it’s all about community.
Welcome to Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery, a unique and wonderful place l ocated right smack in the middle of nowhere, but for the last four years, the people who designed it and inhabit it have made it somewhere. Somewhere people want to be. Somewhere you must put on your list this summer for a journey that’s well worth it...and if you do, you’ll be back.
According to the owner, artist Betsy Krebs, “We are a community arts group, a membership model artists community.”
Community arts groups are the heartbeat of many towns and cities. They not only make art and exhibit their work, but they also cre ate opportunities for others to connect, express themselves, and participate in cultural life beyond simply being spectators i n a gallery. No matter what kind of art
their model centers on, membership models offer a practical and sustainable way to strengthen the bond between an arts organization and its community.
This model is built on the idea that individuals contribute recurring financial support in exchange for benefits, access, and a deeper sense of belonging. We can liken it to that of hairdressers, nail techs, or makeup artists who might rent a chair in a salon. It gives them a venue for their work without
Betsy Krebs
ownership. Thus, a community arts group generates a dependable revenue stream. Membership models often have tiers, and Krebs al ludes to the fact that “there are different levels of membership for the artists.” This tiered approach creates accessibility while at the same time encourages increased engagement.
One of the greatest strengths of a membership model for an arts group is predictability. Betsy started Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery
in 2023, and then nearly closed it two years later because she was doing everything herself.
“I’m an artist, not a business person, but I’m learning,” she added cheerfully. Still, maintain ing the space, handling the marketing, budgeting for supplies, scheduling classes, and maintaining the administration of it all was
proving too much. “So, to the people who were complaining to me about things, I gave them jobs! And it worked. They took over the things they knew about that were giving me trouble, and we all benefited.”
Krebs was born in Chicago, lived in California, and came to the Capital Region with her family during her teen years, receiving her formal art education at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. She earned an MS degree in Art Education
and went on to exhibit her outstanding oil paintings in solo and group exhibitions throughout the North Country of New York, as well as nationally and internationally. She has had solo shows at the Hyde in Glens Falls, the Albany Boys Academy, the College of Saint Rose, the Gibson Gallery at SUNY Potsdam, and the Valley Artisans Gallery in Cambridge, NY. Betsy points with pride to the fact that her work is in the permanent collection of the Adirondack Experience, and throughout the years, you may have seen her paintings at the Saratoga Arts Center, the Lake Placid Arts Center, or the Albany Center Gallery.
Today, Birds of a Feather is in its fourth year and flourishing, truly “an art desert in the middle of nowhere,” according to Krebs. It is located right on Main Street at the junction of Rts. 8 and 9 in the tiny hamlet of Chestertown, NY, about 30 miles from Glens Falls. The last census showed a population under 600, but its size helps define its charm, and when Betsy Krebs decided to bring her Community Arts Group here, she made the right decision! “People love to come here,” Krebs enthuses. “We have new people all the time, and we have those who come each time there’s a new exhibition.”
It’s a lot of work, but it pays off when each month brings a brand new exhibition to Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery. Opening this month on the 11th will be a celebration of both Oil Paintings and Ce ramics. You can check the website to see what’s in store for the bal ance of this calendar year, but one thing’s certain: you won’t be bored! You’ll find sculpture and jewelry, printmaking and wood carving, weavers, felting, pottery, and en plein air watercolors and oils, paper collages, and maybe things you’ve never heard of before, like fish sculptures made from trashed license plates!
Betsy Krebs spent much of her life teaching art to children, and she thrived on it. “I love kids, and I love the visual language that is teaching art to kids.” Because of her passion, she made sure that Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery has ongoing classes for children, for adults, for anyone with a passion to learn or just have fun. The class
schedule may also be found on the website and includes intriguing names such as If You Can Learn to Write, You Can Learn to Draw, Watercolor Kindergarten, Decorative Geometric Painting, or Exploring Paper Collage. Go check it out, it’s certain to get your attention.
And that’s what Birds of a Feather Studio and Gallery is all about. Ultimately, the membership model is not merely a financial strategy but a philosophy of relationship-building. Betsy designed the large space, which previously housed a pharmacy, so that half of it is the work of her many and assorted regional artists. The other half of the square footage is the gallery, with its inviting, ever-changing exhibition space. Community arts thrive when people feel that they are part of something larger than themselves, and the membership component, which formalizes that connection, creates a circle of support around art, education, and visitors. When that happens, birds of a feather will just naturally flock together, resulting in stronger engagement and a more connected community, even if it is small. So, the model of the community arts group is not just a place where art happens. It is a place where belonging happens, too, a model that ensures that the doors stay open, the lights stay on, and the creative sparks keep flying.
“It’s eclectic,” Krebs says, “and that’s why people come and continue to come, again and again. There’s nothing else like it.”
Birds of a Feather may be found at 6375 Rt. 9 in the little hamlet of Chestertown. Call (518) 260-5405 to confirm that the studio & gallery are open on the day you wish to visit and to check the hours. Enjoy!
www.birdsofafeatherstudiogallery.com
The Lakeside General Store Where
By Carol St.Sauveur Ferris
It’s been said that life is all about the journey, not the destination. For husband-and-wife team , Joe Troiano, an award-winning author and lyricist, and Palma Kolansky, a top fashion and beauty photographer, the destination was Montreal, Quebec, and the journey began in Bridgehampton, New York. Somewhere in be tween and because of Palma’s fascination and interest in all things real estate, there was an expanse of land in a bucolic setting they just needed to stop and see along the way. Well, stop they did, and as they say, the rest is history.
In hindsight, that journey was the start of a new and different life neither of them could have possibly imagined but are eternally grateful for. After buying that piece of land, they designed and built a beautiful lakeside log home in Cossayuna, New York. Cossayuna is a classic hamlet on a lake by the same name, with a small resident population of 450 plus-people that swells to about 1000 seasonal residents in the summer months. It’s a place where pretty much everyone knows your name, or at least your face.
Without so much as a look back, the pair happily adapted to this new way of life, but little did they know that their journey was far from over. As the story goes, one day after living lakeside for a while, Joe headed to the local general store to get some eggs for breakfast as he had done in the past, only to discover that the general store was closed. Frustrated, he immediately went next door to the post office and asked the postmaster what was going on and learned that their local general store had closed for good and was now up for sale. After a moment’s discussion, Joe and Palma did what any other frustrated customer would do, they bought it! And so began their next unexpected journey.
Nearly 15 years later, the Lakeside General Store lives on under the watchful eyes of Joe, Palma, and their son Nick. It’s a family enterprise and a way of life they have grown to love. Every day is an adventure and every year brings another opportunity to reinvent the store with new interiors and menu while keeping the local faves. The local faves also include their seasonal staff made up of smiling young people who are happy to assist you and have become part of the store family as well.
You can blame it on her photography background if you like, but Palma sees every new year as an opportunity to bring new life, excitement, and ambiance to the store that’s a bit different from the previous one. Although saying a bit different may be the understatement of the year because in fact, Palma is known to rip down entire walls and previous displays in order to install amazing new ones that suit the new year’s merchandise she is eagerly putting to gether. After so many years, it’s no longer a surprise that she and their con tractor work so well together that he is now on speed dial!
For the 2026 season, Palma is excited about her new décor and displays which include an Italian section she is especially proud of featuring - a wonderful assortment of tomato-themed merchandise. There are dishes, bowls, tablecloths, dishtowels, napkins, totes, signs, aprons, cookbooks, and utensils. And of course, there are the requisite sauces, wonderful spices, and flavored oils in cruets.
But what’s a dinner without charcuterie and a glass of wine, you ask? Lacking of course, so Palma has sought to rem edy that. This year she has brought in a wonderful selection of cheeses,
crackers, salami, bresaola, and other cured meats. Add in the olives, pickles, peppers, and nuts, and you have a delectable appetizer on a board for sure!
But before you leave, you need to visit another little spot they call Lakeside Wine and Liquors which boasts an impressive selection of wine and spirits and is new to the store. The expected spirits like vodkas, scotches, bourbons, tequi las and gins are available for purchase but the wines? Well, they are special. Most are organic and come from small batch venues.
Given the uncommon uniqueness of their small batch wine selections and to assist
the average person who does not know a lot about wine, Joe has put together a wine book that is organized by flavors. Each wine has a barcode and its own page that gives the name, d e scribes the varietal, the growing process, whether it’s organic, and what that par ticular wine should taste like. The wines are numbered on their shelves so a customer can simply go over to the wine book and scan number 16’s barcode for example, and magically,
all the pertinent information appears. It definitely takes the guesswork out of what to buy for
tonight’s dinner and customers usually leave on a happy note as a re sult. Oh, and one more thing, a customer can also download a PDF listing that details every wine in the store to peruse at their convenience.
The Lakeside General Store also boasts a lovely bistro where folks can enjoy their favorite burgers, BLTs, Reubens, fabulous chili, soups and so much more that are all freshly prepared by resident chef Nick and his father Joe. Rumor has it that their pastries are delectable too and a must to experience as a breakfast treat.
The bistro is lined with tables along a long window wall with a feature wall on the opposite side. The feature wall is lined with incredible closeups of beautiful, lush flowers all taken by Palma, Lakeside’s photographer extraordinaire. According to Palma, some are actually 35 years-old taken with a late model camera, while others are only 35 minutes old taken with an iPhone!
Should you prefer to eat and chat outdoors, there’s a lovely area with umbrella tables and chairs surrounded by impressive trees, gorgeous gardens, and colorful pot ted plants that both Palma and Joe work tirelessly to maintain. It’s a visual de light and provides the subtle scents of summer.
Back indoors there’s a special wall of inter est for the little kids in your life right behind the counter. It’s the Spookley wall filled with all the fun books and characters
from the Spookley children’s book series. Joe, the family writer and author, wrote the Spookley book as well as 10 others with stories about Spookley’s Holiday Hill Farm Friends.
The original story was inspired by his son Nick, who was maybe six or seven at the time, and had asked his Dad to tell him a Halloween story that wasn’t scary. On the spot Joe made up this fun little character he named Spookley the Square Pumpkin and went on to spin a de lightful tale about the little guy. When he finally put the story down on paper, it wasn’t long before The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin was published and later streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Twenty-five years later the book is still carried by Barnes and Noble nationwide. So be sure to bring the littles to check out that spe cial Spookley wall. Guaranteed they will be delighted and who knows, you just might catch a glimpse of Spookley’s creator too!
Now if you continue walking around the store, there are other vi gnettes and corners of interest but one that is brand new stands out and is near and dear to Palma’s heart. You might call it the wall of smiles because it is filled with snapshots of smiling faces she has taken of longtime residents, the summer folks, and their families who come in to shop or meet for a bite. They have all become part of the Lakeside General Store family and their smiling faces make for a wonderful scrapbook of life at the lake.
When speaking with Palma, it’s clear that the wall of smiles means so much to both her and her customers. It is testimony to the welcoming atmosphere her family has worked so hard to create and to the friends they have made along the way. It also reminds them just how fortunate they are and how a simple business trip to Montreal became an unexpected journey of a life time, filling their hearts and taking them places they never expected to go.
Needless to say, when visiting the area or just passing through, be sure to stop and visit the Lakeside General Store. Say hello to Palma, Joe, and Nick, and tell them Carol sent you. The food, the wares, the ambiance, and service are memorable. It’s a lovely place that will not disappoint; and, of course, it’s that place where even tually, everyone will know your name.
The Lakeside General Store is located at 703 County Road 49, Cossayuna, New York and is open from May 23, 2026 through Labor Day weekend. Their current
hours are Friday and Saturday from 9AM to 4PM and Sundays from 9AM to 3PM. And so you don’t miss out on your favorite sandwich or pastry, remember, the kitchen closes at 3PM on Fri day and Saturday and at 2 PM on Sunday. Better hurry!
For more information, be sure to visit their website at www.lakesidegeneralstore.net and on Instagram @lakesidegeneralstore.
The Oakroom Artists A Fine Art Group with Talent To Spare!
Seventy years ago, in 1956, a group of dedicated artists came together to form Oakroom Artists. The group’s mission was to support and en courage individual member artists to explore their potential and pur sue excellence in their chosen medium, while bringing their work to the attention of the surrounding community and beyond, both indi vidually and collectively.
The group’s name came from their original exhibit space in the former Schenectady Hotel. It was an oak-paneled dining room in need of some décor. Gus Lambrose, the owner of the hotel at the time, invited two trusted colleagues to offer some advice. They suggested that paintings be hung on the walls. As a result, local artists were invited to show including art staff at Schenectady Schools and GE’s art department. The exhibit was a success and led to the formation of the Oakroom Artists.
Front: Steve Kowalski - First Row Left to Right: Kathy Klompas, Hana Panek, Phyllis Kulmatiski, Mary Ellen Riell, Audrie Sturman, Helga Prichard Second Row Left to Right: Leslie Yolen, Cheryl Horning, Barb Lennox Third Row Left to Right: Kevin Kuhne, Karen Gerstenberger, Gary Shankman Top Row Left to Right: George Dirolf, Christine Campuano, Karen J. F. Cooper, Gary Masline Active, Associate, and Life members not included in photo: Matt Chinian, Peg Foley, Fred Neudoerffer, Constance Dodge, Robert Gullie, Erik Laffer, Lori Lupe Pelish, Robin Rosenthal, Stu Eichel, Karen K. Rosasco
Since then, the location for the group changed, but their mission did not. It has simply expanded.
Twenty-four active artists currently make up the membership, and it is an honor to belong; however, one does not simply pay dues and join. In order to become a member, artists must be invited to apply, then be juried by the membership before being accepted into the organization. This process helps maintain a balanced group of artists with diverse styles. As a further requirement of membership, artists must also do a solo show of their art every two years, and it must be new art not shown previously. It’s a daunting requirement, so some choose the benefits of associate membership instead.
For years, the group regularly exhibited at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Every two months two artists showed their work exclusively then were followed by two more.
But in order to expand public awareness, viewing hours, and exhibit opportunities for every one, the group had to look for different venues. The venues now include, The Cooperstown Art Association in Cooperstown, NY, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) in Glens Falls, NY, the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, NY, and the Whit ney Book Corner in Schenectady, NY which is their home gallery as well.
It’s no secret that the definition of fine art continues to expand; and with that, so too does the Oakroom Artists’ membership. Just before COVID, the group decided to allow photography in. They have also voted in the fiber arts as well. As a result, individual Oakroom Artists work in a wide range of mediums including fiber, acrylics, oil, pastels,
clay, and more which lends appeal to a broader audience. Their compositions and processes are uniquely theirs and provide a wonderful and fascinating variety of fine art for the community-at-large when exhibiting.
“Municipal parking lot, Hudson Falls” 12x16 Matt Chinian
“Brahms Adagio” 18” x 14” Watercolor Karen J. F. Cooper
“Cupcakes with Cherries” oil on linen, 8 x 22 inches, 1990 Gary Shankman
“At Days End” Gary Masline
“Lilac Atlas” 24X36 Oil - Christine Capuano
The full membership currently includes the following accomplished and talented artists whose work is held in high regard. They are:
Christine Capuano (painter) –Christine likes to paint natural forms whether botanical, ani mal, or landscape that in clude vintage or utilitarian objects that she has inherited
or discovered. Light play on the objects is a very important part of her compositions as well. www.ccapuanoart.com
Matt Chinian (painter) – Matt shares that much like a reporter, he records the time and place of his wanderings around Up state New York and New England. Many of his scenes are of overlooked locations that fascinate him and capturing the moment as it is, is his goal. www.mattchinian.com
Karen J. F. Cooper (watercolorist) – Inspired by the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts and surrounding landscape, Karen is
not interested in being a reporter of facts. Rather, she is far more interested in experiencing a lo cation then painting what she feels.
George Dirolf (Multi-media artist) – Depending on the project, George works in oil and charcoal, in addition to creating woodcuts, wood en gravings, and linocuts. Re gardless of medium, his is inspired by nature and the landscape. He also illustrated a children’s book. www.georgedirolf.com
Stu Eichel (painter) – With a degree in graphic arts, Stu spent
“Resting & Rusting” Stu Eichel
Fred Neudoerffer - Stockade award
“Ravens” fabric collage, 14x1.8” Peg Foley
Leslie Yolen
“Matt at 40” oil on canvas 36 x 36 George Dirolf
many years in advertising before becoming an artist. Early on, with success in pencil sketching, he decided to pursue a fine art degree. Today he paints en plein air in and around Saratoga Springs.
Peg Foley (fiber artist/printmaker) – A former art teacher, Peg has been teaching and creating art for more than 40 years. Her current work is a combination of fibers, printmaking and drawings to create collages in response to world chaos and major events.
Karen Gerstenberger (watercolor/pastel artist) – Karen’s fascination with maps, meandering roads, and bird’s eye views inspire her compositions which imply what is just around the bend or down the road. She also finds magic in the world she inhab its. www.karengerstenbergerartwork.com
Cheryl Horning (sculptor) – According to Cheryl, “Making sculpture is a way to escape, heal, explore, discover, and play.” She is inspired by people’s stories, struggles, and their hopes, then creates intuitively. The result are sculptures expressing emotions and feelings. www.cherylhorningsculpture.com
Kathy Klompas (printmaker) – For Kathy, printmaking is an emotional process where shapes, textures,
“Sunny Morning”,watercolor, pastel, pencil, 9.25 x 12.5, Karen Gerstenberger
Lori Lupe Pelish
“Summer Breeze Landis” Pastel, 24x18 Mary Ellen Riell
“Old Trailways Station” watercolor 21x29 Kevin Kuhne
and patterns come together intuitively to create movement and emotion. Built with paper and fabric, her prints also incorporate collage and photography.
Steve Kowalski (sculptor) – Steve creates his 20” sculptures using Styrofoam, an unconventional substrate, that lends itself to all the shapes he intends. Rather than carve, he focuses on form, applying layers of papier-mache until it is pleasing from all angles. www.stevekowalski.com
Kevin Kuhne (watercolorist)
– Kevin is an art teacher at several locations and hosts his own independent watercolor and drawing workshops. His compositions are di verse and include people and architecture. He is also passionate about painting live models.
Phyllis Kulmatiski (clay artist) –Phyllis is a studio artist. Growing up during the Vietnam War, she finds slogans and protest are part of her artistic vocabulary in addi tion to lingering memories of Catholic school statues. Together, they strongly influence her work.
Barb Lennox (painter) – Coming from a long line of artists whose legacy influenced her career path, Barb works in various mediums and styles but finds ab stract painting to be exciting and spon taneous. Her compositions are filled with color, texture and movement. www.barblennoxart.com
Gary Masline (painter) – A former lawyer and screenwriter,
Gary is now an oil painter who focuses on the unique light and palettes of the American Southwest. With that focus, his work inspires contemplation and con nection to the spirit and soul of the Southwest.
Fred Neudoerffer (photographer) – Fred is a commercial and fine art photographer. His fine art photography captures a por tion o f a subject he finds in teresting, then presented as a fascinating, standalone detail that may not be noticed if viewed in its entirety. www.neustudios.com
Hana Panek (painter) – Primarily working in acrylics, Hana’s ab stract compositions feature colors, lines, shapes, and sometimes scraps of old work that she
Steve Kowalski
“Birds eye “ at Hilltown, Kathy Klompas
Phyllis Kulmatiski
Cheryl Horning
Audrie Sturman
“Aerial” Acrylic/collage, Helga Prichard
applies spontaneously based on mood, mem ory, ideas, or a specific place. www.hanapanek.com
Lori Lupe Pelish (mixed media) – Lori is a stu dio artist and has worked in a variety of creative mediums including graphite, crayons, markers, grease pencils, acrylic, and oil, as well as fiber and jewelry. Her work expresses what is real and what can be imagined. www.lorilupepelish.net
Helga Prichard (painter) – A student of art and modern dance years ago while earning a bachelor’s in Natural Science, Helga’s work is influenced by all three endeavors. The flow and rhythm of line, color, and shapes guides her connection to the landscape and life.
Mary Ellen Riell (painter/printmaker) –Working en plein air, Mary Ellen’s colorful compositions capture the grace and beauty of nature. Her landscapes move on the canvas and encourage the viewer to imagine a leisurely moment immersed in nature’s beauty. www.maryellenriell.com
Karen Rosasco (painter/collage) – Karen was an art teacher for over 35 years, teaching young students and adults as well. She has also traveled the world leading workshops for many aspiring artists. Her colorful textured work features layers of acrylics and collage. www.karenrosasco.com
Robin Rosenthal (painter) – An oil painter of still lifes, Robin works alla prima to capture light in the moment and to emphasize the col ors in her compositions. Her pieces are beautiful images of nature, flowers, vegetables, and other objects of interest. www.robinrosenthalart.com
Gary Shankman (painter) – Gary began studying art at the age of nine and followed that years later with advanced degrees in painting. He has also taught at many institutions. His still life and landscape paintings demonstrate his ability to capture light on what he sees.
Audrie Sturman (sculptor) - While Audrey’s sculptures were borne of her background in painting and printmaking, her current media includes cement, clay, and assorted papers which she pushes and sculpts, seeking new ways to express life’s rhythms and nature. www.audriesturman.com
Leslie Yolen (sculptor) – An art teacher for more than 20 years, Leslie now works as a mixed media artist. Whether wax, fiber, twigs or other organic material, Leslie explores the capacity of the media and pushes it to its limits while creating expressive sculptures. www.leslieyolen.com
All of these artists combined bring decades of education, experience, and talent to the group. If someone is looking for a beautiful work of art to hang on a special wall or display in an empty alcove, they should look no further than Oakroom Artists. There is truly something for everyone.
For more information about their group shows and member artists, please visit the Oakroom Artists website at www.oakroomartists.wordpress.com. And be sure to visit the individual artist websites as well for more of their story and amazing work.
Karen Rosasco
“Radio” acrylic, collage, pencil Hana Panek
Barb Lennox
“Three Yellow Onions“ Robin Rosenthal
Functional wares and sculptural works chosen for their form, texture, and quiet presence.
Eden Compton - Revealing Saratoga Springs Immigrant History, One Painting at a Time
By Lawrence White
“To me, making art, and in particular, public art, is always an asser tion of our humanity and our strength.” Martin Firrell
Artist and Beekman Street gallery owner, Eden Compton, has lived a life most of us only dream of. Eden’s grandparents were well-known Texas artists who al so main tained a studio in Mexico. They would o cca sionally paint with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
Throughout childhood, Eden created sketch art and started painting professionally after leaving her ad vertising career in New York City many years later, and moved to the Caribbean to work as a charter chef on a private boat. Eden met her husband Richard in the Virgin Islands, and they ran private sailing charters in the Caribbean and the Eastern U.S. for many years before settling in upstate NY.
Eden’s art education includes a BA in Art History from Colgate University and independent courses at the International Center for Photography in NYC. She has also studied with many master artists in
Family Photo of Andrea Green - 79 Beekman around 1950.
workshops and classes over the years. Her award-winning work has been included in national juried shows, including the Catherine Lo rillard Society, Salmagundi, the American Impressionist Society on line, and the International Pastel Society, as well as numerous re gional and local shows. Her work can be seen in galleries in upstate New York and New England. She is a member of the Oil Painters of
America, the American Impressionist Society, and an Associate with Distinction of the American Women Artists Association.
But that is not what Eden wants to talk about. She is fascinated by his tory and historical places and al ways has been. As a child, she was fascinated by old houses and neighborhoods. That curiosity grew through the years as she studied the history of every location she visited. When she settled in Saratoga Springs, the rich history left a lasting impression on her, and she began a quest to learn as much as she could.
During the process, Eden had the opportunity to speak with many local historians and experts. She then used that knowledge to begin an art project to reflect the rich local diversity that created Saratoga Springs and that she felt should be honored and recalled.
“The heritage of the immigrant communities in Saratoga Springs is the story of how the town came to be,” Eden tells me with passion.
“The Italians, Irish, and African American groups all contributed greatly, and this project is to honor their efforts and lives.”
As an additional note, Eden tells me, “I could create a whole separate heritage art tour for the original Jewish community on Henry Street, which is so interesting.”
“Truthfully, it seemed overwhelming to pursue on my own with all the multimedia elements like developing a digital application, writing the content, producing the art, etc., so it kind of progressed in fits and starts. Skidmore students would get involved, then graduate and
The Black Community 24 x 36 Acrylic
leave. The professor I loved working with was away for a while, so there were challenges that popped up in the process.”
“Then, finally, last year I decided to create a basic portion of the larger project by focusing on specific stories and developing three specific paintings. I received a $3000 grant from Saratoga Arts through their community regrant program, and that is how I ended up with this current project. I hope to view this stage as a starting point and build on it in the future.”
The Italians 24 x 36 Acrylic
Saratoga Railroad Workers 1920s Acrylic 8 x 10
Eden’s grandmother - An example of how Eden uses old black and white photos for her artwork.
Eden continues, “My original idea was for this to be an actual walking tour featuring the art, the oral histories, and the photographs with all the stories behind it in a multi-media for mat. Ideally, it would be an app that could be downloaded on your phone so it would be self-guided.”
“There are quite a few cities that have a similar idea/app, but without the original art and the oral histories. I would like to find a way to move towards that final idea eventually, but it will take funding, time, and collaborators with those specific skills.”
“In the meantime, I would like to produce more artwork of the stories I already have, but could not fit in the current paintings by using more family photos gathered from the community. I always thought there was enough
information and content to produce different themed tours each year, so that it would be an ongoing “art-tour” that changes annually. Again, it all comes down to time and fund ing, like everything, I guess,” Eden says with a shrug.
“The three original paintings will be displayed on porches with a self-guided tour flyer/booklet on weekends throughout the summer, starting in late June. The opening weekend will coincide with our gallery's June pop-up, June 19th, which is the week after the Beekman Fair weekend.”
“The companion indoor exhibit with the paintings, studies, historical commentary, and photos will be open in the classroom attached to my gallery on most Saturdays and Sundays from 11 - 4 p.m. throughout the summer, starting in late June through September.”
“I am scheduling two 90-minute public guided tours in July and August on Saturday mornings. Right now, I have July 11 and August 1st as the dates for those public walks. I will also make the tour available for private groups and organizations throughout the rest of the summer and into September. I also want to schedule a community evening/artist talk and invite the locals to bring photos and share stories of the west side. All the scheduling, exhibit hours, and tour information will be available on my website. My Skidmore assistant, who is working on this now, is graduating today. She is very dedicated and will finish remotely.”
Ryall Family photo - Garden area of their family home at 69 Oak Street
Louis Bencivenga - 1918 in the St Michaels Parade on Beekman St. Photo credit is Bob Mayette.
Bencievenga Boy
Artists are presented with a fascinating, chal lenging, and liberating time to be working in. The ability to combine so many elements and experiment with new techniques is revo lutionary, as is the ability to express new ideas and old ones. Artists who reject moving forward risk the chance of being left behind. With that in mind, I ask Eden what it feels like to have one foot in the traditional art media and the newest digital advances at the same time.
“I try to learn the new technologies and use them in ways that help me be both more productive and explore new ideas. For example, the app ‘Procreate’ is used by a lot of artists to create all kinds of purely digital work. I am still learning, but I use it to work out composition and design ideas, explore different ways of arranging the old photos I use in my work, and experiment with different color palettes. You can create artwork in minutes instead of days.
“That said, I love traditional media. I love the whole process of painting in all media. I also love just sketching with a pen cil. I have been an avid sketcher my entire life and have dozens of sketchbooks.
“I think the real beauty of technology and being online today is how much it can bring people together from all over the world. I can see artists’ work that I would never have seen otherwise. It really expands your access to new and different ideas and opens up a lot of different ways to expand and develop your work.”
Then, with emphasis, Eden says, “We are living in a challenging time for everyone. We will be better equipped to deal with the future if we know where we came from.”
Eden Compton Studio, 79 Beekman St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Artist Website: www.edencompton.com Gallery Website: www.edencomptonstudio.com
Ryall Family photo - 1920s - 69 Oak Street
“Always Look Up, That’s Where the Best Things in Life Always Happen”
By Karen Richman
I was so excited. I just couldn’t wait for July 4th.
From the time school let out during the third week of June, I kept asking my mother to show me on the calendar how many days it was till we had the fireworks show. Her answer began my daily countdown as though we were checking off the days until Christmas.
My grandfather lived a distance away from us but never missed July 4th at our house because my father put on a special barbecue every year, not just with hot dogs and hamburgers, but with kielbasa, roasted corn on the cob, and even grilled potato skins. We washed it all down with watermelon slices and cookies, and then my dad got out the long sticks, and we toasted marshmallows. But all throughout the meal I was eating as fast as I could because I desperately wanted to see those fireworks light up the sky over our house.
My parents had told me over and over again that no matter how quickly or slowly I ate, the fireworks could not start until the sun went down and the sky was dark enough to frame the beauty and drama of those pyrotechnics. I pouted in impatience even though I knew they were right.
repair furniture, polished gold and silver pieces for a local jeweler, and in summer even maintained a game booth at the popular local amusement venue, Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey.
Olympic Park opened in 1887 and lasted until 1965, and was a major stop for most families in summer. They had fireworks every weekend night, so frequently, my parents would treat me by bringing me there to Grandpa’s stand where people paid to spin the wheel to win wicker baskets filled with groceries. He would always tell me as the sun slipped behind what he called “the loop-de-loop” (rollercoaster), “Always look up. That’s where the good things in life al ways happen.”
To while away the time before the grand show in the sky began, I’d sit close to my grandfather because he’d always put his arm around me and tell me stories of his growing up in England. Sometimes they were the same stories with a few changes here and there, but always I loved to hear him spin a tale the old-fashioned way. He always spoke with great passion about America and how it was a land of promise where anyone could be or do anything they wanted if they worked hard enough.
My grandpa, Harry A. Harris, had come from Liverpool, England with, as he constantly said, “Just two nickels in my pocket to rub to gether.” He took a multitude of menial jobs and worked an inter minable number of hours to provide for his growing family which included my Uncle Sidney, my Uncle Al, and the princess of the family, my mother, Edna. He sold insurance in the winter, helped
As a little girl, I wasn’t sure I completely understood, so I asked what he meant. “Well, Karen,” Grandpa Harris began, “The sky is above us, the sunrises and sunsets start there, the birds fly above to get from place to place. So do the planes. And, of course, that’s where we look for the fireworks and know that every year on July 4th they’ll always be there. They were there when I was a little boy, and they’re still up there for you and will continue to be when you have children. Some things you can always count on, so always re member to look up.
When you’re walking, when you’re sad, when you’re have a problem and need to think things out, just keep your head up and eyes on the sky.”
I didn’t completely understand back then, but I do now. Olympic Park is a sweet memory now long gone. Grandpa Harris died when I was in junior high, but every July 4th I always look to the sky with all the others appreciating the fireworks, and I realize how lucky I am be cause the other people just hear a bang and see a beautiful display. I see the face of Grandpa Harris, hear his voice, and receive an echoed reminder to, “Always look up. That’s where the best things in life always happen.”
They always did. They still are. Happy Independence Day!
250 Years of Summer
By Crystal Cobert Giddens
July has a way of arriving all at once.
You wake up one morning and the air has changed. Heat rising before the day has fully begun. Long afternoons stretching so wide they almost feel endless. Nights humming with crickets, porch lights, and the soft electricity of people staying out later than they meant to.
July never really tiptoes in. It arrives knowing it will be remembered.
And this year, it carries a little more weight to it. Two hundred and fifty summers lived on this land. Two hundred and fifty seasons of thunderstorms rolling in at dusk, fireworks in open fields, screen doors
slamming somewhere in the distance, people gathering outside because the evening air finally softened enough to breathe again.
A number like that should feel enormous. Somehow, in summer, it feels personal instead.
Maybe that’s what this season does. It blurs memory and imagination until you can’t quite tell them apart anymore. The smell of cut grass suddenly pulls you backward twenty years. A warm breeze at dusk feels strangely familiar, like a moment you’ve already lived once before. Even the light feels layered with memory in July…that honey-gold glow that settles over everything just before evening finally gives way to night.
And beneath all the heat and noise, there’s a softness to this season people rarely talk about. Not laziness. Not escape. Something quieter than that.
People linger outside after dinner without checking the time. Kids run through sprin klers like the world has just been invented. Someone falls asleep in a hammock while the trees move overhead. For a little while, the hard edges soften. The parts of ourselves buried under schedules and routines loosen their grip.
Maybe that’s the real magic of summer. It gives us back pieces of ourselves we forgot were still there.
The curious parts. The playful parts.The parts that wander simply because they can.
Drive-in movie theaters still exist in scattered pockets of the country, glowing like little time capsules against the dark. You pull in with the windows down, the air warm but easy now, and suddenly the world begins mov ing at a pace that feels human again. Fireflies blink across the field. Someone’s radio crackles softly through an open window. The screen flickers to life, and for a couple of hours nothing asks anything from you except to sit still and watch.
There’s something comforting about that. Maybe because so much of summer still lives in or dinary things.
A slice of watermelon after being outside too long. Tomatoes still warm from the sun. A cold shower before bed. Bare feet on grass that hasn’t cooled yet from the day. Meals become simpler this time of year without anyone really trying. Fresh herbs. Sweet corn. Berries that stain your fin gertips. The body seems to know instinctively what the sea son asks for: lighter things, cooler things, things that leave room to keep moving through the warmth instead of fighting against it.
And then there are the evenings. Those long July evenings where the sky refuses to darken quickly.
Gold fading into rose. Rose fading into deep velvety blue. Conversations stretching longer than expected. Time loos ening its grip little by little.
You sit outside and it becomes easy to imag ine all the summers layered quietly be neath this one. Families gathering on porches centuries ago trying to catch a breeze. Children running through fields before neighborhoods existed. People cooling themselves beside the same rivers that still move through these valleys now.
The details change. The rhythm somehow stays the same. Heat. Light. Laughter. Rest. Movement. Connection.
Maybe that’s why this 250th summer feels less like a milestone and more like a continuation. Seasons are one of the few things that truly link us across time. We move through them differently, but we still move through them together.
July has always carried its own kind of free dom. Not the kind tied to fireworks or history books. Something smaller. More per sonal than that.
A walk at dusk with nowhere particular to be. A kite catching enough wind to stay air borne. A late-night drive with the windows down and no destination in mind. The small adventures that make an ordinary day feel like a story you’ll remember years later for reasons you can’t fully explain.
Maybe that’s enough sometimes.
Maybe life doesn’t always need to be optimized or rushed or turned into something productive. Maybe summer exists to remind us that being fully present is its own kind of meaning.
This July, the country turns 250 years old.
And somehow the milestone feels less mon umental than it does human.
Maybe that’s the spirit of summer itself. Bold in its heat and light, gentle in the way it asks us to slow down long enough to notice what was already there all along.
Summer has never asked us to perform. It has only ever asked us to be here. In the warmth. In the light.
In the softness of a season that seems to hold more memory than any other.
Happy Independence Day!
Crystal Giddens is the founder of FACES NEW YORK in Saratoga Springs, where she approaches skin, wellness, and ritual through the lens of environment, seasonality, and modern life. Her monthly essays for 518 Profiles explore beauty, memory, and the quieter rhythms of everyday living.
518 CULINARY DESTINATIONS: Local Eats & Destinations
By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel
Brasserie Benelux
Summer is here and the 518 region is welcoming thousands of visitors from around the world who enthusiastically are exploring every corner of this region from Albany up to Saratoga Springs and continuing on to Lake George and the Adirondacks. My journey to moving up here and opening a restaurant is Saratoga Springs started in a similar matter after being invited to the Summer NYRA Track meet and falling in love with the town and eventually writing a nationally pub lished and televised book called “Adirondack Cuisine”.
In past years I have been exploring the region, penning food-travel articles for 518 Profiles Magazine and would like to extend some local summer ideas for our treasured reader and visitors.
Saratoga Springs is a treasure trove of Coffee shops and Dessert hubs. Start at the newly opened Bears Cup across from the Hilton, your ultimate stop for freshly baked Croissants, New York Bagels and great Coffee drinks. They have a nice little terrace overlooking Broadway and be prepared for long lines on weekends! Continue west on Broadway and find nestled in a sub-level nook the Broadway Coffee company offering specialty Lattes, Matcha’s and baked goods. Grab a bag of hand-crafted Donuts at Darling Donuts & Coffee, named one of the best in the country in USA Today newspaper. Across the street enjoy Miss London’s bakery, a local long-time fav for Coffee and baked goods/Cakes. The Almond Croissant is a winner-made from scratch in the French tradition! Cross the walk way again going west on Broadway and find long-time gourmet store pioneer Putnam Market. They just expanded adding a side-café featuring Sandwiches, baked goods made with Vermont Butter and various drip-coffee and usual café suspects.
Further down make a right on Division Street and head toward Franklin Square market. As you enter the sliding door one will find a display of baked goods including my favorite Banana Chocolate Chip bread-fabulous. Head down back on Division Street and enter another Saratoga original-Uncommon Grounds for freshly roasted Coffee, baked goods and house-made Bagels. Walking west again on Broadway indulge in authentic Austrian Apple Strudel with “Schlag” or a Euro pean Strawberry Crepe with fresh Cream at Brasserie Benelux. Make a left on Phila Street toward Henry Street and visit Bibulous-a Cocktail and Dessert bar featuring treats like a mini–NY Cheese Cake or vegan Lemon Olive Oil Cake. Finally, right down the street indulge in a delicious Cinnamon roll or Raspberry Danish, enjoyed at Bread Basket Bakery & Coffee shop along with many other home-made bakery treats.
While in Saratoga Springs, in addition to the legendary race track, do not forget to visit the beautiful State Park with the historic Roosevelt SPA, the Geyser Creek walking path originating pure Mineral Water and the many great summer concerts at SPAC.
A short distance away is the town of Ballston Spa, also known for its origination of Mineral waters. Enjoy a treatment or Mineral Bath at the famous Medbery Inn & Day Spa and then proceed next-door in this historic building to the Front Street Social Club to enjoy a great selection of Bourbon & Whiskeys, hand-crafted Cocktails and accom panying delicious chef-owner driven cuisine. On a noteworthy mention-the building was chosen as the backdrop for filming the now classic film “The Way We Were” with Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand. On Science Street is the now very popular artisan bakery Night Work Bread, specializing in wild fermented Sour Dough Breads, Bagels, Babka, Cinnamon Rolls, Scones and Cookies. The seeded or ganic Sourdough bread is a staple in our house, and also can be purchased also at local Farmers Markets, Healthy Living in Wilton and Franklin Market.
Heading on I-87 North, countless great summer destinations await you! The city of Glens Falls invokes a small-town charm under the moniker of “Hometown USA”. The walkable downtown features many great culinary destinations such as Fire mission Smoke House for great Barbecue, Park & Elm for creative Cuisine & Cocktails, Far macy Restobar for chef-driven cuisine and homemade Ice-Cream, Radici for creative Italian such as Braised Beef Short Rib Wellington. For Sushi we frequently visit Mikado, which never disappoints in terms of great Sushi and atmosphere. Finally pick up a great loaf of Bread at Rock Hill Bakehouse & Café near the artist haven the Shirt Factory. The café serves Vegan food and the natural organic bread baking process can be witnessed from your seat.
Lake George, known as the “Queen of American Lakes” is recognized for its immense beauty and clean water. Bolton Landing is culinary gem and simply the next town over from the touristy Lake George. Downtown Bolton Landing offers many diversified options such as the popular Bolton Landing Brewing Company with fresh beer and brew-pub eats. The Gem is a great BBQ restaurant with amazing arti san Cocktails. The original location of the popular Bear Cup is here, for those looking for a fresh Bagel Sandwich, Croissants and Bever ages. Last but not least, walk or drive over the bridge to the leg endary Sagamore Resort to enjoy out door Pavilion, The Lakehouse and La Bella Vi ta over looking the breathtaking views of Lake George. The 518 re gion is a true summer quintessence to visit, embrace and remember-the original leisure destination for generations.
Bears Cup
Broadway Coffee company
Darling Donuts & Coffee
Park & Elm
Bibulous-a Cocktail and Dessert bar
Franklin Square Market
Sagamore Resort
Month of July Glens Falls
July 1 - 26 - Schuylerville
Kinetic Atmospheres. Featured artists: Con stance Kheel & James Paterson. Kinetic Atmosphere brings together the work of Constance Kheel and James Paterson – two artists working in very different mediums, yet united through a shared interest in movement, rhythm, energy, and transformation. Pairing Kheel’s expansive abstract paintings with Paterson’s whimsical kinetic wire sculp tures creates a dynamic conversation be tween stillness and motion, atmosphere and interaction, contemplation and play. June 20, 2026 to July 26, 2026. Opening Reception: June 20, 2026 @ 5:00pm. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad St, Schuylerville, NY
• North Country Arts Gallery: “Stars Colliding” art in all media by regional artists, June 27 - Aug. 15 with Ruth Ward in the Betty O’Brien. Gallery, Reception Sat. June 27, 5-7pm. #120, The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St., Glens Falls (Gallery open Thurs.-Sat. 12-5)
• NCA's 2nd Fl. Gallery: “Soft Worlds” - fiber arts and needle felting by Bella Zhdanova, June 29 - Sept. 25. Reception Friday July 10, 5-7pm at City Hall, 42 Ridge St, Glens Falls (Gallery Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30)
• NCA Mezzanine Gallery: “Summer Show” - featuring Member’s artwork, July 1- Sept. 26 at THE QUEENSBURY HOTEL, 88 Ridge St. Glens Falls (Open Daily)
• Annual Photography Show July 1- 31, 2026 at The Friends Gallery at Crandall Public Library 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York 12801 Glens Falls, NY
RECEPTION & Awards: Thursday July 9, 5 pm, Juror is Phil Merlino. This year NCA will share the reception with Jacky Touba’s art show and book signing, in the Poetry Room, next to The Friend’s Gallery. For more Info about events visit: northcountryarts.org
July 1 - August 22 Clifton Park
The Green Room. All are welcome to our Opening Art Reception celebrating our newest fine art exhibit, The Green Room, on Friday, July 10 between 6-8pm. Works are by local artists and showcase the symbolic lan guage of the color green. July 01 - August 22. The Blooming Artist Gallery, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY, United States, 12065
July 1 - 18 Saratoga Springs 40th Anniversary Invitational ex hibition . This show features artists Anne Diggory, Stu Eichel, Carolyn Justice, Noah Savett, Nancy Sharples, and Dennis de Jonghe. Exhibit runs June 20thJuly 18th, 2026. The re ception is free and open to the public. Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 p. 518.584.4132
Month of July Chestertown
7/4- Our Country is Great 4th of July gathering, regional musicians, classic barbeque, regional artwork.
7/8-11:00-1:00 July 8, 15 & 29. Chris Ann Ambery teaches basic to advance watercolor techniques
7/13- 11:00-1:00 Louise Hoffman teaches Decorative Painting techniques
7/30- 10:00-2:00 Chris Ann Ambery teaches “Wet Cyanotype Workshop I “
Staying open later Fridays through July7-10, 11, 24th for late shopping and browsing. Birds of a Feather Studio & Gallery, Main Street - 6375 Route 9Chestertown, NY 12817 Tuesday - Saturday 10 to 5
JULY EVENTS
Month of July Hudson Falls
7/3 - Kisstory! More than a tribute band; it’s a metic ulous homage to one of the greatest rock acts of all time.
7/10-Sinners Creed - a tribute to Creed wsg Lounge Act - the music of Nirvana
7/17-Tributes to Alanis Morissette and Chris Cornell with Not The Doctor and Seasons
7/18 Back To The Garden 1969 - Celebrating the Music of Woodstock
7/24 - Completely Unchained - Van Halen Tribute
7/25 - Professor Louie and The Crowmatix
Visit www.mystrandtheater.org for the full list of events. Strand Theatre, 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY, 12839. 518-832-3484
July 1 - August 9 Canajoharie
Kevin Kuhne: Bygone Framework. Kuhne’s body of work on exhibition investigates the overlooked architecture of the Capital Re gion and Mohawk Valley, from abandoned factories and aging storefronts to neglected homes that quietly bear witness to the region’s industrial past. These structures, often dis missed as blight, are central to the visual and cultural identity of what is commonly called the “Rust Belt” and the key subject matter to Kuhne’s work. May 16, 2026 through August 9, 2026. The Arkell Museum • 2 Erie Boulevard • Canajoharie, New York 13317
July 1 - July 19 - Schenectady
Graphic Vibrance. Presenting a world of bright color and contrast, with a subtle undercurrent of otherworldly psychedelia. The se lected artists approach the exhibition through a variety of mediums and techniques, but their works engage in an unexpected di alogue— playing off one another to create a surprising visual hum. This exhibition features the work of: Britton Walters, Corinne Halbert, Daniel Gutierrez, Lindsay Kirk, Lyn dsay Grimes, Marisa Cavanaugh. On ex hibit through July 19, 2026. Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery, 160 Jay Street M • Sch enectady, New York 12305.
July 8 - August 8 - Lake George Mary Pat Wager Presents “Rem nant / Revelation” In this solo exhibition, assemblage sculptor Mary Pat Wager presents a body of steel sculptures and wall pieces constructed from industrial, agrarian, and vintage materials — objects sourced from junkyards, estates, and the quiet edges of a century that built everything… and preserved almost nothing. Through welding, deconstruction, and reconstruction, Wager forces these remnants into new configurations, new conversations, and new meaning. Artist’s Reception. Saturday, July 11th, 4:00 – 6:00 PM. July 8 @ 12:00 pm August 8 @ 5:00 pm. Courthouse Gallery, 1 Lower Amherst Street, Lake George, NY. 518-668-2616
July 17-19
Greenwich
JULY EVENTS
July 10 - August 7 Glens Falls Summer Concert Series. The Park Theater Foundation is back for its sixth year bringing FREE live music to the Crandall Park Bandshell every Friday evening from July 10 - August 7th! Get ready for an eclectic lineup of talented local and regional musi cians that you won't want to miss! Pack up your favorite lawn chairs, grab your blankets, and round up the whole crew for the perfect start to your weekends! Concert Location: Crandall Park Band shell (Fire Road, Glens Falls, NY 12801)
July 11 - Saratoga Springs
Northshire Saratoga: An Afternoon with J.R. Ward. #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward will join us to for a fun afternoon audience q&a and meet and greet. Northshire Bookstore is delighted to welcome J.R. Ward to the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday, July 11 at 2 pm. This event will feature a lively audience question and answer session and a meet and greet with the author. J.R. Ward is the author of more than sixty novels. Saturday, July 11 • Starts at 2 PM. Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
July 8 - August 8
Ann Womack - Seth Butler. The 2026 season of the Recent Work series of five pop-up ex hibitions featuring seven North Country painters in the bucolic countryside outside Greenwich, NY. Curated by Dan Cameron the month of July features eye-popping new paintings by Ann Womack and Seth Butler with opening reception July 17th 5 pm to 7 pm and open Saturday18th - Sunday 19th noon to 5 pm. Varosy Studio 1522 North Rd Greenwich NY.
July 27 - August 2 Glens
Falls
The Hyde Collection is proud to announce the First Annual Glens Falls Plein Air Festival, a vibrant week-long celebration of outdoor painting to be held July 27 through August 2, 2026, in Glens Falls, New York. Community members and visitors are invited to witness the creative process firsthand as artists work outdoors in real time, transforming everyday views into original works of art. Schedule of Events:
July 27: Artists begin painting!
July 28: Artists will be painting our region's beloved lake views at The Sembrich, The Bolton Historical Museum, and The Sagamore Resort.
July 29: Artists will be painting along the Warren County Bike Path throughout the day and in downtown Glens Falls during the Take A Bite event from 5-7 pm.
July 30: Join artists who will be painting The Hyde Collection gardens and grounds throughout the afternoon, then pop over to The Shirt Factory and enjoy a bite to eat during the Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral from 4:30-8 pm.
July 31, 5-7:30 pm at The Hyde Collection: All are invited to the Plein Air Festival Exhibition Opening Reception and Awards at The Hyde (161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY). The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, NY
