By Michael Purtell
While many are attracted to the Adirondacks as the home to stunning natural landscapes, the region is also the host to many talented artists. While visiting the region, a taste of the arts could be just what your trip needs.
Lake Placid is one of the most sought after tourist destinations throughout the Adirondacks. While many visit for the Olympic history and winter sports opportunities, the village is also the host of a nest of artists through the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.
The LPCA hosts four areas of programs year round: two art galleries, a presenting series which showcases musicians and theater performances and educational programs to inspire and train artists of all skill levels.
The galleries present free, specially curated experiences for art enjoyers. Each gallery offers an experience unique from the other, and is updated periodically by LPCA staff, LPCA Director of Communications Alison Simcox said.
“Folks can come check the galleries out anytime,” Simcox said. “On our main campus, Gallery at LPCA, we have about eight to 10 exhibits there a year. On Main Street, we have an ongoing rotating collection of works by artists who are specifically based within the Adirondack Park called Gallery 46. It’s really exciting to go there and see all of the amazing talent that we have right here in our local region.”
Gallery 46 presents a uniquely Adirondack art experience. The pieces produced by local artists are connected by the shared experience of living in such a remote and nature-filled place.
By collecting works of Adirondack talent, Gallery 46 is able to show off what makes the region unique.
“There’s also an incredible resiliency and generosity amongst artists of any medium in the Adirondacks, because it’s sort of a far-flung landscape where you might have to travel pretty far to connect with your other fellow artists,” Simcox said. “That want to do work together and really work hard to make art happen defines artists.”
By facilitating those ideals, the LPCA has become its own sort of “cultural cornerstone,” for the artists of the North Country, Associate General Manager Tyler Nye said.
The importance of art will never dwindle, especially in a community so spread across a large plot of land, Simcox said. The LPCA’s goal, by hosting both nationally revered artists and local talents, is to ensure that everyone in theNorth Country, whether locals or visitors, are always in touch with that importance.
“We want to really give people a chance to feel something in our community and with other people who may or may not have the same background as them,” Simcox said. “Consuming art is unlike almost anything else. It can change your perspective, or allow you to see yourself in a place where you wouldn’t expect to see your experience reflecting back to you.”
Through diverse exhibits and programming, Nye said, there is no one excluded from the arts in Lake Placid.
“We certainly strive to be welcoming to all, and if anyone comes and leaves inspired. I mean, that’s all we could ask for,“ Nye said.
Over the summer the gallery will undergo construction to upgrade its facilities to be fully accessible, state-of-the-art and inviting to all. This means the summer season will be extra special, representing a celebration of the 50 years the buildings in their current state have housed the arts center.
In addition to showcasing local talent, the LPCA looks to draw in folks from across the nation with talented and recognized artists, Simcox said.
“It’s a core part of our mission to make sure that we are bringing in world-class artists for people to see here that they might not be able to see everyday because we’re not in a metropolitan area,” Simcox said.
A unique effect of this scheduling has been the influencing of local artists as the LPCA introduces musicians from the rest of the world to the local talents.
“A couple of years ago, our Open Sky Music Festival alternated between local groups and then groups from around the country,” Simcox said. “That was really awesome, just to see that cross-pollination, because backstage all the artists were hanging out together and telling their stories.”
Events over the summer include a visit from musical artist Paula Cole on June 28, a performance by dance group Soles of Duende July 1, which combines the styles of flamenco, tap and Kathak dancing and the LPCA Summer Block Party on August 19.
The performers will have the unique experience of being some of the last hosted in the venue before its renovation, while the block part will represent a true sendoff from the staff and community.
“It’ll be an open house arts day to intentionally celebrate the building that we’ve had for over 50 years,“ Nye said.
