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... 

Spring Fever Runs High

We all have spring fever at the Nigra Arts Center! Along with the warmer weather, we are looking forward to several events and activities throughout the next few months. In addition to classes and workshops, we are super excited for our Summer Senior Soiree on June 22, the Color Splash Fun Run and Walk on July 21, not to mention concerts including Hitrick and Brooks on July 20 and the Caroga Lake Music Festival Brunch and Concert on August 19. A complete list of events can be found HERE .
 
Personally, my favorite part of summer at the arts center is the arrival of children of all ages as they take over the grounds for our Kid Camp Program. This year's camps include two Rock & Roll Camps, Cooking Camp, Caroga Lake Music Festival Camp, Adirondack Adventure Camp and MORE. To see all our camps, CLICK HERE   .
   
Special thanks to the Fifty-Plus Club which meets regularly at the Shirley J. Luck Senior Center in Johnstown. I had the pleasure of visiting with the club a few weeks ago to talk about the arts center. The club generously donated $200 towards our Kid Camp Program. Thanks to them, we will be able to purchase plenty of awesome camp supplies! 

President Gary S. Locatelli, Outreach Coordinator Lucille Plantz and Vice President Edward E. White
present Nigra Arts Center Director Sue Nigra with a  $200 donation towards our Kid Camp Program
 
We are pleased to offer both recognition and benefits to our generous supporters. A range of naming oppor­tu­ni­ties are available for donors who would like to recognize the importance of the Nigra Arts Center or to honor and rec­og­nize some­one spe­cial in their lives. For more information, please contact Wally Hart, Executive Director of The Lexington Foundation, at 518-369-5489 or [email protected].
 
Sue Nigra
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
   
 
Featured Instructor: Melanie Fay  

Melanie is one of our busiest instructors. Everyone at the arts center appreciates her talent, creativity and energy! Melanie teaches a wide range of classes, including her popular Creative Connection Workshop. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity by using multiple artistic tools in a carefree environment. At the end of the workshop, everyone shares their pieces and talks about the experience.
 
Melanie strongly believes that art has an unmistakably positive influence on students and can change lives...and the world.
 
"One of my favorite things about art is how it helps us connect with ourselves and other people in new and exciting ways," she said. "For me, everyone's an artist and making art is an opportunity to discover that within ourselves."
 
Melanie comes to Fulton County from Brooklyn, where she founded Standard ToyKraft, a theater, puppet shop and art studio. She studied at The Art Institute of Chicago and graduated with a BFA from the Cooper Union School of Art with a focus in painting and printmaking. You can explore Melanie's work at melaniefay.com .  Scroll through our class and workshops HERE to find her many classes!
 
   
 
   
 
Fashion Show Dazzles Crowd  
 
Ladies came dressed to impress on May 10 as the arts center buzzed with Spring Into Fashion: a fashion show featuring the latest looks from Just Because...Boutique in Northville. Guests had a great time as they learned about the hottest fashion trends, caught up with one another and enjoyed a luscious lunch in our Grand Gallery. All proceeds went to the arts center. Thanks to everyone who attended this stylish event.
    
   
 
Summer Senior Soirée is Back! 
   
Join us for the summer edition of the Senior Soirée on June 22 from 10AM-2PM! The day includes a delicious lunch and a taste of classes offered at the Nigra Arts Center. You pick and choose what you explore! Options range from smartphone photography and outside yoga to jewelry making. You can even design a fun sign for your kitchen. The cost of the Senior Soirée is $25 per person. For more information, CLICK HERE. Space is limited & pre-registration is required. Questions? Call (518) 661-9932.
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Art Show Winners Announced 

More than three hundred guests attended an opening reception April 19 as winners were announced for the Fulton-Montgomery Art Show and Sale. One hundred sixty pieces were showcased from artists who live and work in Fulton and Montgomery Counties along with a special exhibit featuring the work of artist Rhea Costello, a painter and ceramic artist from Gloversville. We also displayed pieces created by students from Boulevard, Kingsborough and Park Terrace Elementary Schools, Gloversville Middle School, and Canajoharie, Gloversville and Mayfield High Schools.
The opening reception was attended by Miss Fulton County Chelsea Cirillo and Miss Montgomery County Sara James who presented the awards to the winners. Pictured clockwise from top left: Melissa Ellis with Sara James, Katelyn Frisch with Sara James, Paul Steenburgh with Chelsea Cirillo, Avery by Paul Steenburgh, Ceci N'est pas une Pomme,  by Katelyn Frisch and Sea Salt by Melissa Ellis.
 
 For more details about the show/winners, CLICK HERE .
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.
 
 
Artists' Gems to be Raffled
Call for Artists! Express yourself on a 5' X 7" canvas (provided by us) and donate it back to the arts center to be raffled off. The Artists' Gems will be showcased in our upcoming Statewide Art Show beginning July 5 & will be awarded to winners at our Night Out Gala on September 20. Interested? Contact Brenda Dwyer at 518-661-9932 or at [email protected] or stop by to pick up your canvas.  
 
   
 
 Campers Learn Life Lesson

Our annual Spring Break Escape Camp in April was another huge success. Over three days, children created all kinds of fun stuff: from 3-D art...to marvelous mannequin heads! Our special guest was Miss Fulton County 2018 Chelsea Cirillo, who met with campers to discuss giving back to the community. The conversation continued in the art studio as kids created on canvas what community spirit means to them and how they would like to help others. Paintings depicted helping the elderly, planting trees, picking up trash, looking out for animals and being kind to one another. Thanks to Chelsea for volunteering her time to talk about this important life lesson!
   
   
 
Bunny & Bonnets Captivate Crowd  

The line stretched out the door the Nigra Arts Center's third annual Easter Bunny Family Fun Day! Children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, arts & crafts, an Easter bonnet contest and visits with the Easter Bunny! There were also several raffles, including a giant Easter bunny donated by EMVI Chocolate . A big THANK YOU to several young ladies for volunteering their time to work with the children: Sara James, Miss Montgomery County; Chelsea Cirillo, Miss Fulton County; Alexis Houser, Miss Montgomery County's Outstanding Teen; Hailee Waddle, Miss Fulton County's Outstanding Teen; Olivia Greco, Miss Montgomery County's Princess; Kaitlyn Wigginton, Miss Montgomery County's Princess; Riley Meredith, Miss Fulton County's Princess & Bella Romano, Miss Fulton County's Princess.
  
   
 
Center Educates at Career Fair  

Nigra Arts Center Community Gallery Curator Brenda Dwyer & Director Sue Nigra visited with young people in March at the Broadalbin-Perth Middle School Career Day. They spoke with students about all the things we offer at the Nigra Arts Center...such as classes, kid camps, concerts, art shows and family fun events. Kids even got to make "spin art" as they asked questions about the arts center. What a terrific group!
 

 
 
Membership Drive Continues
 
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 .   
 

 
 
Adaptive Arts Spotlight:
Allison Patnode  

In the past couple years, Allison Patnode has become a regular visitor at the Nigra Arts Center. In a short time, she has grown from someone who did not often have the chance to pursue creative projects to someone who is active in and passionate about the arts. Allison shines when given the opportunity to express herself in a creative and loving environment. At the beginning of every month, she stops by to see what classes we are offering and tries as many as she can. She is eager to hone as many new skills as possible and find new ways to express herself. So far, Allison has enjoyed painting, pottery, cooking, baking, dancing, yoga and various crafting classes at the Nigra Arts Center.
 
Allison's hard work has paid off, and not just in personal growth and enrichment. One of her paintings was featured in our 2017 New York State Art Show alongside the work of professional artists from all across the state. This is an amazing accomplishment for someone relatively new to the world of art, and we were so proud to recognize her progress in such a concrete way!
 
We love seeing Allison's determination to improve and her pride in her work. Allison's constant smile and positive attitude make her a pleasure to have at the Nigra Arts Center!
 
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].
 
  

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!
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.
 
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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