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.

From the Director...
Greatest Night Out Lives Up to Name
Everyone is still talking about our biggest fundraiser of the year: the Lexington Foundation's Greatest Night Out! Close to 300 people (a record) attended the September 20 event at the arts center, which was transformed into a glorious big top for the night. Inspired by the hit movie musical The Greatest Showman, the event dazzled crowds with roaming circus performers, costumed characters and live performances from Our Secret Love Society and Flame. The evening included a silent auction, raffles, cocktails and delicious food from Union Hall Inn Restaurant. There were also plenty of circus surprises, including a fortuneteller and caricature artist. A fundraiser for the Elmore Transitions Scholarship Fund rounded out the night.
 
The Nigra Arts Center simply cannot survive without the continued goodwill and generosity of our wonderful supporters. They are the reason we are able to provide our community with the highest quality arts and entertainment. I am happy to report that not only did we have a record number of Night Out guests, but a record number of sponsors as well (close to 40)! For a list of sponsors and others who have supported our events this year, click here   . 
 
Thanks to everyone who made the Greatest Night Out such a smashing success. It truly lived up to its name. We are already planning next year's event. Want a hint regarding the theme? Keep reading...
 
Sue Nigra
Director, Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
 
Sue Nigra
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
   
 
   
 
Featured Instructor: Todd Bailey      
Todd Bailey, owner of   Todd Bailey Photography & Marketing in Johnstown , has become a familiar face at the arts center as he passes along his knowledge and passion for photography to our guests. He has designed a course that walks students step by step through the process of learning about not only the camera, but the art of photography.
 
"It's been a tremendous joy to get to know the staff and students at the center," says Todd.
 
"Even though it's me doing the instructing, I've learned a great deal about how important photography is in this digital age. Now more than ever, people want to learn this art form and improve."
 
Teaching is clearly rewarding for Todd.
 
"My passion has always been the marriage of art and technology, so having a platform to share that passion has been a most gratifying experience."
 
In addition to his regular classes, Todd provides instruction during center events to people of all ages, from senior citizens at Senior SoirĂ©es to children at kid camps. Check out our schedule   to see when he's teaching his next class, or call 518-661-9932.
 
Zombies Party at Center 
 
With torrential rain on the horizon, our annual Zombie Fun Run and Walk moved inside, where it transformed into a zany zombie party! The crowd had a blast on October 27 with all sorts of Halloween hijinks, including frighteningly fabulous food, terrifyingly delicious treats, pumpkin and face painting, live entertainment from the world-famous band Flame and a monster mash-up of fun. Thanks to the zombies, we raised nearly $2,500 for the arts center at this fun event! 
   
 
Women Shop, Sip and Savor 
Shoppers got down to business on November 9 at Shop, Sip and Savor: An Evening for Women. Close to 40 vendors took over the arts center to sell a wide range of items, from holiday decorations and gifts to fashionable clothing and jewelry. The evening also included raffles as well as food, drinks and the chance to meet friendly faces from around the community. A big thank you to everyone who attended this benefit for the arts center!
Unique Art Show Opens  
Our Meet the Artists Opening Reception was packed with people on October 11 as we kicked off our first ever Fiber, Textile Art and Quilt Show.
 
More than 22 artists are showing more than 50 pieces in this exhibition, which features work made primarily of fiber, fabric, textiles and related materials such as hand-dyed silk, felting, weaving, fiber sculpture, fashion, crochet, lace and quilts. In addition to local craftspeople, artists living in Rhode Island and Costa Rica have their work in the spotlight during this unique show.
 
For more details, including the list of featured artists and award winners, click here .
 
You can view the Fiber, Textile Art and Quilt Show through January 9. The gallery admission fee is a $5 donation. Members of the Nigra Arts Center, children under the age of 18 and participating artists are admitted for free.
 
   
 
Brenda Dwyer Honored      
Brenda Dwyer, our beloved Community Gallery Curator and popular art   instructor, has received a Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award from The Arc New York!
 
Brenda uses the arts as a platform for cultivating talent, building self-confidence and introducing new opportunities to artists of all ages and levels of ability, including people supported by Lexington. She regularly teaches adaptive arts classes at the arts center, which are often attended by people from the community who work right alongside individuals supported by Lexington. Congratulations, Brenda!
Brenda is pictured here with Lexington Board President Judy Schelle, artist Thelma Senecal, Lexington CEO Shaloni Winston and Lexington Board member David Miller.
Adaptive Arts Spotlight:
Lexington Artists    
Artists from all over the United States and beyond display their work at the Nigra Arts Center. Lexington also supports some very talented artists who regularly show work at the arts center and other galleries and shows around the region and state. We are proud of their success as individual artists!
 
Since we began tracking sales in 2014, 43 artists supported by Lexington have sold 151 pieces at the arts center and in our community. This has resulted in more than $16,000 in profit for them. These artists have had the opportunity to watch their creativity blossom thanks to Lexington's Creative Expressions program and classes at the arts center. Lexington artists who have sold the most pieces are Vanessa Rhodes (13), Richard Freeman (13) and Thelma Senecal (12).
 
Pictured: Vanessa Rhodes with Mark Kilmer, Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce President, Richard Freeman and Thelma Senecal
 
Adaptive Arts: The Nigra Arts Center 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. For more information about Adaptive Arts, contact Maria Nestle at 518-661-9932 or [email protected].
  
Broadalbin Senior Club  
Visits Center 
We love giving tours of the Nigra Arts Center! On October 3, center director Sue Nigra was happy to welcome the Broadalbin Senior Citizens Club. The group learned about the wide range of classes and special events the center offers throughout the year. They left with our latest calendar, so we hope to welcome them back soon! Would you like a tour of the center? Call us at 518-661-9932.    
   
 
The Polar Express is Coming!  
On Saturday, December 8, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM, our famous Polar Express Celebration will be back on track at the arts center! Attendees will be magically transported to the North Pole as children of all ages enjoy crafts, live entertainment and all kinds of family fun inspired by the classic tale "The Polar Express." Yummy food will be available for sale and there will be opportunities to snap photos with Santa. Admission is $5 per person to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. Children age one and under will be admitted free. 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Being a Member is Worth it!
 
If you haven't become a member yet, we'd love to have you! Membership starts at the $25 Tamarack level. CLICK HERE to sign up. Membership fees help us provide programs and events as well as year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops and creative collaborations with dozens of local community organizations and schools. All members of the Nigra Arts Center receive the following basic benefits for one year:
  • Membership card
  • Free entry to all exhibits
  • Discounts on workshop, class fees and select performances
  • Invitations to gallery receptions and special events
  • Subscription to our e-newsletter
  • Charitable tax deduction to the extent provided by law
The Nigra Arts Center is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association. This means that arts center members (at the $100 Red Spruce level and above) receive FREE admission and shop discounts at more than 900 NARM arts/cultural institutions across North America. Learn more HERE .   
 

We LOVE Our Donors & Sponsors

Our donors continue to make a difference in the growth of the Nigra Arts Center. Each donation helps us provide programs and events for everyone as well as expand our educational and artistic offerings as we work to make this a community arts center people and their families visit again and again. We also thank our sponsors for their generous support of the center.
   
CLICK HERE to see a list of our donors and sponsors and how YOU can make a difference!
 
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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