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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...
What a magnificent summer it's been at the Nigra Arts Center! We've welcomed hundreds of people from all over the area and beyond for kid camps, classes, concerts and events - and let's not forget our most current art exhibit. Keep reading to see a summer sampling of what we've been up to this season.
As we look ahead to fall, we are gearing up for The Lexington Foundation's largest fundraising event of the year: the
NIGHT OUT
, to be held Friday, September 22, at the Nigra Arts Center. Proceeds from this party will benefit the
Nigra Arts Center
as well as
Transitions
, a program that helps young adults with learning differences explore college and career options and live independent, fulfilling lives.
The NIGHT OUT celebration will include live entertainment from Pat Decker and Flame, delicious food from Lanzi's On the Lake, tasty cocktails, craft beer and tons of fun, including strolling magician Shaun Robison - who's back by popular demand!
You may purchase individual tickets or tables for ten. There are several options to choose from. Additionally, we are seeking sponsorships and those who wish to place program ads and/or donate raffle and auction items.
CLICK HERE
or contact Wally Hart, Executive Director of the Lexington Foundation, at 518-369-5489 or hartw@lexcenter.org for more information on the
NIGHT OUT.
Thank you in advance for your generous support, and I look forward to seeing you on September 22!
Sue Nigra
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
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New Tradition Makes SPLASH (of Color)!
HUGE thanks to everyone who came out for the Color-A-Thon Run & Walk on July 15.
More than 150 people
attended the event on the grounds of the Nigra Arts Center. Throughout the family fun course, runners and walkers were splashed with washable color dust at "color bomb stations." There was also food and live entertainment during a Color Blast Party!
Proceeds went to YOUR community arts center and we cannot thank everyone enough!
CLICK HERE
to see a video recap of all the festivities. We hope to see you again next year! Until then, join us on October 28 for the Zombie Fun Run/Walk! CLICK HERE
for more information.
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Kids Return for Popular Camps
Forget video games and smartphones: the Nigra Arts Center was the place to be for kids this summer as we hosted delightful day camps all summer long! T
hemes range
d from music and cooking to dance, make believe and adventure. Lots of familiar faces were back for more camp fun!
We also were happy to house the Village of Mayfield's Summer Recreation program, the Family Services Art Adventure Camp through Lexington and the Adirondack Expressions Camp, a weeklong sleepover camp for young adults with learning differences.
Next up? Our
Winter Funderland Camp
to be held December 27-29.
CLICK HERE
for details and to register.
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Safety Program Gets Rolling at Center
On July 20, Senator Jim Tedisco brought his Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program to Fulton County for the first time, and the Nigra Arts Center was in the middle of all the action! We were honored to host a big kickoff event alon
g with the Village of Mayfield's
Summer Recreation program. The idea behind the effort is to use positive reinforcement to get kids in the habit of wearing bike helmets so they are safe on the road.
Thanks to Senator Tedisco, the Fulton and Herkimer County Sheriffs, the Gloversville Police Department, Mayfiel
d Mayor Jamie Ward and all the other community leaders who came out to teach young people the importance of bike helmet safety! To read more about the Bike Helmet Safety Program,
CLICK HERE.
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Flame Burns Bright in Italy
 They've gained international attention, and now the band Flame is back on American soil after a whirlwind visit to Carpi, Italy, where they performed at the 19th International Festival of Different Abilities in May. The band, which considers the Nigra Arts Center its home base, performed at the Teatro Comunale, a neoclassical theater from the mid-19th century.
Flame was invited to play after their YouTube videos caught the eye of a representative of Cooperativa Sociale Nazareno, an Italian cooperative that supports people with mental and physical differences.
While in Italy, the band also took advantage of shopping, food and
embracing the Italian culture. You can learn more about the trip HERE and Flame HERE.
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Barney Bellinger Offering Workshops
 Barney Bellinger is a world-renowned painter, sculptor, photographer and furniture designer - and now he's offering two EXCLUSIVE sculpture workshops at the Nigra Arts Center. Barney is generously donating his time and talent to teach these three-part workshops to a select group of students. Spaces are limited. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Collaborative Sculpture Workshop
October 4, 11 & 18
Four students only
Work as group to create sculpture for the Nigra Arts Center.
Sensational Sculpture Workshop
November 1, 8, 15
Four students only
Create unique sculpture to bring home.
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Featured Instructor: Kate Schwan
 For Kate Schwan, the art of beauty is something to be joyfully shared - which she does quite often at the Nigra Arts Center. Kate, an independent sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics, regularly donates her time for arts center events. For example, she provided luxurious spa-like treatments at our Mother's Day Celebration. Kate clearly enjoys showing ladies of all ages how to get the most out of their skin care, makeup and their individual beauty.
"My 31 years as an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay has impressed upon me the importance of sharing my talents and giving back to my local community," said Kate. "Our company has a program called Pink Changing Lives. One of the goals is to reach 1 million Makeovers for Good. I am happy to be partnering with the Nigra Arts Center to help make that goal happen."
Kate teaches
a regular
Monday Makeover
class
, which she says is very popular.
"We have a few ladies who attend every month! I'm always grateful to have an opportunity to walk through the doors of the Nigra Arts Center as an instructor. It really is true that 'It is in giving that we receive.'"
We are grateful to Kate for all she does. You can contact her
HERE
.
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Summer Art Show Heats Up Gallery
Every day, people explore our beautiful Community Art Gallery and express how much they enjoy the 2017 New York State Summer Art Show. The exhibit showcases work from artists in our own backyard and from cities across New York State, including Latham, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Utica, Lake George, Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs.
CLICK HERE for more about the show, which will hang until September 27.
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.
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Call for Artists: The Art of Disguise
As summer winds down, we are seeking submissions for the 2017 Fall Art Show, "The Art of Disguise." Pieces should consist of 2-D and 3-D works that embrace the theme of disguise. Artists who are masters of this theme are welcome, as well as those who have simply found a subtle way to camouflage hidden images.
In addition to the regular gallery submissions, the Nigra Arts Center is also seeking 3-D mask submissions to fully embrace the season. There will be a bonus award for the most creative mask.
The show will run from October 5, 2017, to January 10, 2018. The deadline for submission is September 10. Works of all media are welcome. Pieces should be submitted via the website www.OnlineJuriedShows.com. For more details,
CLICK HERE
.
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C
oncert
Summer Series Sizzles
We have TONS of music coming your way throughout 2017. For details on all our shows,
CLICK HERE
.
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Sensational Senior Soirée a Success
On June 16, the arts center was packed with senior citizens for our wildly successful Senior Soirée. Sponsored by Fidelis Care, the day included a delicious lunch, not to mention a taste of all the rich artistic offerings we provide the public. Seniors chose their own activities, from line dancing and yoga to chocolate making, painting and more! Special thanks to Dr. Irina Gelman, Director of the Fulton County Public Health Department, who gave an informative talk on senior summer safety. Our NEXT Senior Soirée is on October 20. Details coming soon...
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Registration Open: The Dance Company
Registration is open for
The Dance Company
's Fall  Season!
Gretchen Salvione and her team offer all kinds of classes
including tap, ballet, hip hop, adult jazz and the popular
Country Heat Live! You can check out all their dance classes
HERE.
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Adaptive Arts Spotlight
This time our Adaptive Arts Spotlight is shining on one word: VARIETY.
Specifically, the variety of classes the Nigra Arts Center offers people of all ages, levels of abilities and artistic skills. This summer we were pleased to present a Family Services Art Adventure Camp through Lexington in addition to several Adaptive Arts classes on everything from painting and yoga to hip hop dance.
All of our classes, including Adaptive Arts classes, are open to the public. It is not uncommon to see people from the community alongside people Lexington supports, learning together how to create, how to explore and how to shine.
We are grateful to the staff, instructors and everyone who does their part to provide an inspiring atmosphere so our guests can embark on a rewarding and satisfying creative journey. That's why we're here.
To learn more about our Adaptive Arts Program,
CLICK HERE.
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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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