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The mission of the
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is to provide a creative education resource for people of all ages and abilities while celebrating the arts through classes, entertainment, exhibitions and special events.
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From the Director...
Arts Center Receives Award of Excellence
Look up the word inclusion, and the definition reads: "The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure." We hear a lot about inclusion at the arts center. It is a major reason why we are here. In fact, our mission statement says it all:
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, we are committed to offering accessible art programs for adults and children with developmental and physical differences.
 It is common to see people from the community creating or experiencing the arts alongside people supported by Lexington. We never make a big deal about it; in our eyes, every person who visits the arts center is creative and capable and part of our family. That's why it was a thrill and an honor to learn that the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) was awarding the Nigra Arts Center with a 2017 Award of Excellence. CQL said the following about the arts center: "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."
In October, Lexington's Executive Director Shaloni Winston and Deputy Executive Director Dan Richardson (both pictured) accepted the award at the 2017 CQL Conference in Indianapolis. For more details,
click here.
Sue Nigra
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
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Night Out = Unforgettable Fun!
The Nigra Arts Center came alive on September 22 as the Lexington Foundation held its largest event of the year: The Night Out!
The elegant party featured fabulous food from Lanzi's on the Lake, musical performances by Pat Decker and Flame, raffles and auctions, magician Shaun Robison, caricature artist Phil Singer, dancing and much more. Proceeds went to the Nigra Arts Center and
Transitions
, a program that prepares teens and young adults with autism and learning differences for college, career and life.
Click here for a list of our sensational sponsors.
If you couldn't make it to this year's Night Out, you can still make a donation. There are several ways you can show your support. Contact Wally Hart, executive director of The Lexington Foundation, at [email protected] or at (518) 661-9932. And please save the date for next year's Night Out - Thursday, September 20, 2018!
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Zombies Make Splash & Raise Cash
Thanks to everyone who came out on October 28 for our Zombie Fun Run/Walk! Held on the grounds of the arts center, well over 150 zombie runners and walkers were showered with sweet treats as they made their way through the family-friendly course. A zombie party followed, with live entertainment, crafts, contests and tons more fun. All proceeds went to the Nigra Arts Center. Plans are already in the works to have the zombies back next year for another spooky good time!
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Spirits Soar at Senior Soirée
Following the success of our Summer Senior Soirée, we invited seniors back for our Fall Senior Soirée on October 20. The event, sponsored by Fidelis Care,
featured a luscious lunch and live entertainment from Michelle King of Flame. Seniors took part in several classes, including African drumming, painting, holiday bow making and a class on holiday hors d'oeuvres. Seniors told us they want another s
oirée, so join us on June 22 for the 2018 Summer Senior Soirée! More details to come
SAVE THE DATE: June 22 Summer Senior Soiré
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Featured Instructor: Sue Kaupelis
Sue Kaupelis teaches her popular line dancing series at the Nigra Arts Center with enthusiasm, ease and an overwhelming sense of fun! Sue has been country line and partner dancing for more than 20 years. She took her first lesson in 1992 and began teaching dance in the Fulton/Montgomery County area almost two years later. Over the years, Sue has expanded her teaching to senior citizens and adults with developmental disabilities. She has been invited to teach at the Saratoga Dance Flurry, at the New England Dance Festival in Boston and on several cruises. Sue reaches out to the community with her demo group, who perform for numerous nursing homes, fairs and festivals.
Sue has shared her line dancing talents at several events at the Nigra Arts Center, including the Summer Senior Soirée, where she was a big hit. To see her next series of classes, check out our dance page here. We are lucky to have Sue as part of the Nigra Arts Center.
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Art from Across USA in Show
 Our latest art show celebrates fall with a little mystery and intrigue by interpreting the theme of disguise and camouflage. The Art of Disguise will hang until January 10 and 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. The featured artists include Amy Andujar, Joshua Brooks, Doreen Calhoun, Ross Carangelo, Robert Carr, Douglas Countryman, Susan Dawkins, Francis Dempsey, Ron Dennis, Katherine L. Ehle, Richard Freeman, Katey Germain, Warren Greene, Heather Grower, 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.
You are welcome to view the artwork in our Community Gallery Monday through Friday 9:00AM to 6:00PM or Saturdays 9:00AM to noon.
Call for Artists - Winter 2018 Show
Our next exhibit, the 2018 Winter Art Show, will run from January 18 to April 4, 2018. The deadline for submission is December 18. For more information and to submit pieces, click here.
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Winter Is Coming & So Are Kid Camps!
Our year-round kid camps are very popular and have even been featured on WTEN and WRGB newscasts. Below are details about our two upcoming winter camps. Be sure to check
our website
often as we add more camps throughout the year!
 Winter Funderland Camp
December 27-29
9:00AM-2:00PM
Ages 5-10
The holiday break from school will be a blast with three days of non-stop fun! Campers will enjoy something different each day as our instructors keep them active, engaged and using their imaginations in a wide range of crafts and activities. Campers should bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle each day. Refrigeration is available. Cost*: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door. Click here to register.
*Members receive a 20% discount. Don't forget to enter the code at checkout.
Kid Cooking Camp 
February 20-22
9:00AM-1:00PM
Ages 6-12
Our popular Kid Cooking Camp is back! Children will practice key kitchen skills as they work closely with our instructors to prepare a tasty gourmet lunch each day. Campers will also make fun food-related art projects they'll get to take home. Children should bring a water bottle each day. Cost*: $130 pre-registration | $150 at door.
Click here
to register.
*Members receive a 20% discount. Don't forget to enter the code at checkout.
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Gift certificates available!
Visit the front desk or call 661-9932.
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Royal Tea Returns November 25
Royal children will take over the arts center at the Prince & Princess Holiday Tea on Saturday, November 25, noon to 2:00PM. There will be crafts, storytelling, dances and a lovely lunch tea party with delicious food and holiday goodies. The tea is recommended for young boys and girls. Fairytale or dress up attire is encouraged. Seating is limited. For tickets, please call Foothills Family Productions at (518) 224-1083. Tickets are $12 per person and must be purchased in advance.
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Hop Aboard the Polar Express
On Saturday, December 9, from noon-3:00 PM, kids of all ages are  invited to celebrate the joy of the season with our Polar Express Celebration! The Grand Gallery will be transformed into a sparkling North Pole with crafts, live entertainment and all kinds of family fun inspired by the classic tale "The Polar Express." Concessions will be available and so will Santa Claus, our jolly guest of honor! Admission is $5 per person to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. The Polar Express Celebration is sponsored by Fidelis Care.
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Holiday Magic Photo Showcase
Take a black and white photo and support the Nigra Arts Center! Simply take a black and white photo and post it on your Facebook wall with the hashtag #Nigraholidaymagic (make sure you make the post public!) The Nigra Arts Center will showcase and display selected photos
* in our lobby and they will be raffled off during the December 17th Celebrate Christmas with Tim Keegan concert. All proceeds will benefit the Nigra Arts Center. If your photo is chosen, we will contact you and ask you to send us the original, high-resolution photo file so we can print it.
*Chosen photos will be reproduced and displayed with the photographer's name.
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December 17:
Tim Keegan Christmas Concert
Join us Sunday, December 17, at 2:00PM and
Celebrate Christmas with Tim Keegan!
Tim is a well-known tenor who sang for many years with the Foothills Trio and, more recently, the Inter-Mountain Trio (IM3). He often performs in private and community settings, where his silky tenor voice can sell any tune, from ballad to love song to Irish folk song. Tim is also an engaging and approachable storyteller, sharing laughs and history between songs. He will perform solo, accompanying himself on guitar, and share some new songs and a few old favorites.
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Adaptive Arts Spotlight: Richard Freeman
Richard Freeman has been part of the Lexington family since 2008. He's  a dedicated artist who has shown several pieces in our art shows. He has even been honored as a featured artist! Richard's work is very popular, and greeting cards featuring his pieces are top sellers in our gift shop.
Richard's commitment to art and the development of his own style and technique have paid off, not just through sales of his art work but through self-value. We cannot wait to see what incredible pieces he comes up with next!
The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts offers accessible artistic experiences through classes that include people of all abilities and artistic skills. Our specially trained instructors and support staff are committed to providing a rewarding and satisfying creative journey for people with intellectual and developmental differences in an inspiring atmosphere where anyone from the community can participate. Adaptive tools and equipment are available and individual/group classes may be booked upon request.
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We LOVE Our Donors & Sponsors
Our donors continue making a difference the growth of the Nigra Arts Center. Each donation helps us make capital improvements and expand educational and artistic offerings as we work to make this a community arts center people and their families visit again and again.
CLICK HERE
to see a list of our generous donors and their gifts and how YOU can donate!
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Become a Member
Membership dues support programming at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts. All members receive the following basic benefits for one year:
- a membership card
- discounts on exhibition admission, workshop and class fees, and select performances
- invitations to gallery receptions and special events
- a subscription to our e-newsletter
- a charitable tax deduction to the extent provided by law
CLICK HERE
to learn more about how YOU can become a member.
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The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts is a program of The Lexington Foundation. To learn more about The Foundation,
click here.
For the latest news and information about classes and events at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts,
visit our website
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