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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...
Spring brings with it new beginnings...crisp air...fresh flowers...and wonderful classes, concerts, kid camps and events at the Nigra Arts Center. Recent highlights include our Easter Bunny Family Fun Day, the kickoff of 2017's Concert Series and an outstanding event to raise awareness about autism. Keep reading for highlights!
This time of year also brings our brand new summer Kid Camp schedule. We have so much to offer children during these popular camps, including cooking, art, music, dance, yoga and good old-fashioned outdoor fun. For a complete list of camps, CLICK HERE
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Our Spring Break Escape Camp featured abstract art, fun in the kitchen and even a music video, which you can see on the Nigra Arts Center Facebook page.
Children from our Winter Break Kid Cooking Camp found themselves on News 10 multiple times! Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo showed viewers the delicious pizza campers made just for him. Cameras were also rolling as instructor Nita Preddice helped campers create Sunshine Soup. Anchors Elisa Streeter and Tim Lake even sampled the soup live on the air. CLICK HERE to see News 10's wonderful coverage. The kids' time in the spotlight didn't end there: their soup was entered in the Sensational Soup Cook-Off during our Meet the Instructors Open House. So, how did their Sunshine Soup do in the contest? Scroll down to find out, but here's a hint: the answer may just bring some sunshine to your day!
Sue Nigra
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
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Family Fun & Bunny Hugs Highlight Event
Crowds packed the Nigra Arts Center on April 15 for our annual Easter Bunny Family Fun Day.
Children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, yummy treats and plenty of Easter-related crafts. Raffles included beautiful baskets and a giant chocolate bunny donated by
EMVI Chocolate
. The Easter Bunny's hugs and photo ops made him the star of the day!
The day took a creative and fun turn during our Easter Bonnet Workshop and contest. Young people designed beautiful and memorable Easter bonnets they wore with true style!
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Featured Instructor: Andrew Dench
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Andrew Dench
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Andrew Dench, a native of New Zealand, is a popular instructor at the Nigra Arts Center, where he shares his creative culinary delights - not to mention his awesome accent! - with aspiring chefs of all ages. Andrew's skills shine in a multitude of settings, whether he's instructing adult students or showing children how to make gourmet lunches during our popular Kid Cooking Camps.
"Places like the Nigra Arts Center make the world a better place," Andrew said. "I enjoy working here because I'm able to share my passion for cooking with people from the community. In return, I'm fortunate enough to learn about other people's stories and experiences with food."
Andrew could fill the pages of a book with his story! He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in January 2004 as a chef, and he also served with the Australian Army when they needed military chefs during the 2006 East Timorese crisis. In the last year of his naval career, he found himself at the New Zealand Defence Catering School, where he taught future soldiers and sailors how to cook eggs in any weather. Andrew traveled all over Southeast Asia during his nine years in the navy before meeting his wife. The couple moved to New York in 2013, where Andrew worked briefly at a Lake George restaurant. Now he is happy to be at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, where he has returned to his true passion: teaching others how to cook great food! You can find Andrew's next class by browsing our schedule
HERE
.
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Center to Celebrate & Cherish Moms
We are gearing up for our second annual Mother's Day Celebration on Saturday, May 13. Bring Mom and the whole family for a delicious brunch buffet, live entertainment and more! While moms relax and get pampered, children will make them something beautiful in each of our art stations, ranging from decorative jewelry and paintings to personalized Mother's Day coffee mugs and cards. Admission is $15 per person for the brunch and activities. One mom per family will be admitted FREE. Pre-registration is required. To reserve your family's place, CLICK HERE or call (518) 661-9932.
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Senior Soirée Coming to Center
Join us for an arts and entertainment-filled Senior Soirée at the Nigra Arts Center on June 16. Sponsored by
Fidelis Care
, the day will include a delicious lunch, not to mention a taste of all the rich artistic offerings the Nigra Arts Center provides our community. Seniors can choose what they explore, from line dancing, songwriting and yoga to chocolate and jewelry making, painting and more! The Senior Soirée runs from 10:00AM-2:00PM. The cost is $20 a person. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
CLICK HERE
or call (518) 661-9932.
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Local Tradition Returns with Art Show
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Dynamic Duo Kicks off Concert Series
A cool concert brunch with the Upswing Duo kicked off our 2017 Concert Series on April 2. While they performed memorable jazz standards from the classic American songbook, the audience enjoyed a delicious brunch.
Out next concert is the Electric City Chorus and Barbershop Quartet on Saturday
,
May 20
,
at 3:00 PM. This men's a cappella close harmony singing group is based in Schenectady
. They
have been singing
b
arbershop
h
armony since 1944. Their repertoire draws from Broadway musicals, pop music and big band standards.
CLICK HERE
to get tickets.
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True Colors Shine at Autism Event
To recognize Autism Awareness Month, the Nigra Arts Center proudly hostedTrue Colors: An Autism Awareness Celebration on April 14. People of all ages came to explore how the arts benefit people with autism. Representatives from Transitions were on hand to share how this premier apprenticeship program is helping young adults with autism spectrum disorders and other learning differences live independent and fulfilling lives. Live entertainment was provided by Flame.
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Flame entertains during True Colors Event
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Adaptive Arts Spotlight: Jose Kemp
Jose Kemp has a smile that doesn't quit. That smile is especially bright when he is the instructor of cooking classes at the Nigra Arts Center, with Wally Hart, executive director of The Lexington Foundation as his sous chef.
"Jose and I have taught several classes together," said Wally. "Each time he gets more comfortable in front of students and more confident in himself. Our latest class on chicken quesadillas was a huge hit and Jose is a big reason for that."
Jose learned how to cook from family members when he was a teenager. His face lights up when he's asked about passing along his knowledge at the Nigra Arts Center. "I like teaching others how to cook," said Jose. "It makes me happy."
And we are certainly happy to have Jose share his love for cooking here at the center!
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Soup's On as Instructors Meet Public!
Our
Meet the Instructors Open House & Sensational Soup Cook-off
was the talk of the town back in February as attendees spent time with our outstanding instructors and learned about all they offer our community in music, dance, art, yoga, cooking and much more!
A big part of the day was our Sensational Soup Cook-off. We had a multitude of talented people enter delectable soups. The winning entry, as voted by the public, was Sunshine Soup, created by children from our latest Kid Cooking Camp under the guidance of instructor Nita Preddice. Nice job, kids!
We are already looking forward to next year's
Meet the Instructors Open House & Sensational Soup Cook-off!
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Center Intern Hits Radio
Recently, Nigra Arts Center intern Kristen Troy stepped behind the microphone and helped record a radio spot for the Nigra Arts Center at WENT 1340 AM Radio. Kristen is an Apprentice at
Transitions
, a program that helps young adults with learning differences explore college and career options and live independent, fulfilling lives. You can find more information about Transitions
HERE
. Thanks to Kristen for doing an awesome job!
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Rock for Abilities ROCKS the House!
To mark National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Flame, Lexington's world-renowned rock band, performed a "Rock for Abilities" concert on March 31 at Lexington's Gloversville facility. This concert was part of the Lexington Gives Back initiative and all donated non-perishable food items went to local food pantries. Additionally, proceeds from the concert went towards funding Flame's new recording studio at the Nigra Arts Center, which serves as Flame's "home base.
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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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