Eleanor Sweeney to  be remembered at Adirondack Artists Guild in January

Memorial Service Sunday, January 4, 1:30 – 4 pm, Grand Ballroom, Hotel Saranac

Reception, 4 – 5 pm, Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery

In January the Adirondack Artists Guild will honor founding member Eleanor V. Sweeney (1937-2025) with an exhibit of her innovative and often unconventional photography. Eleanor was an active member of the Guild since its establishment 1997 until shortly before her passing in October of this year. 

Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Eleanor moved with her family to Saranac Lake in 1964, where she took photography classes at North Country Community College and spent the remainder of her life as a professional photographer, transitioning seamlessly from film and darkroom printing to digital work, and always experimenting with new processes. Eleanor exhibited widely and won numerous awards for her boldly original work that pushed the boundaries of traditional photography, blending digital and analog techniques including photo emulsion transfers and sometimes painting over photographic prints, to create expressive hybrid works of art.

There will be a memorial gathering on Sunday, January 4 in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Saranac, where friends and family can share stories and memories of Eleanor. Guests may arrive between 1:30 and 2 pm to mingle and socialize, then from 2 to 4 pm there will be an opportunity for anyone to speak publicly. 

Following this event, the Adirondack Artists Guild will host a reception at the Gallery until 5 pm so people may see the exhibit of Eleanor’s photography. Available works may be purchased for a voluntary donation to fund a special art award in Eleanor’s name, per her wishes. The Eleanor Sweeney Art Award will be given to a local high school senior whose artwork exhibits out-of-the-box thinking and creativity, as did Eleanor’s.

The exhibit will be on display throughout the month of January.

Grand Ballroom, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St, Saranac Lake

Adirondack Artists Guild, 52 Main St., Saranac Lake

Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge presents

January Jams

Sundays, January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2 – 6 pm

Our epic open mic tradition continues! Every Sunday in January the Lounge stage will be open to musicians of all genres, styles, and experience. Come to play a few songs, or just come to enjoy the musical offerings of our talented community. Let the music warm you up in the dead of winter.

A few things to note:
– Open mic sign-up begins (in person) at 1:45 the day of each jam.
– Performance order is determined by host (usually first-come first-served).
– Technical setup is quick and minimal; we have basic sound equipment in-house but please reach out to info@upperjayartcenter.org ahead of time if you have special requests regarding technical setup.

How much does it cost to jam or attend? Nothing! January Jams are FREE, though we always appreciate donations towards the abundant beer and ham sandwiches.

More info HERE.

Upper Jay Art Center and Recovery Lounge, 12198 9N (North), Upper Jay

Adirondack Experience Presents

John Brown in New York, by Sandra Weber

Monday, January 5, 2026, 7 – 8 pm, virtual, free

With passion and sound scholarship, Sandra Weber introduces a fresh and intimate portrayal of John Brown in his time and favorite place, the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. This intertwining story of sublime scenery and human rights concentrates on John’s relationships with his family and black neighbors, which brings forth the essence of the man: his inner self, moral fiber, and principles. Weber reveals a vital piece of the John Brown story. It creates a conduit through which to reconcile the poor pioneer farmer, family patriarch, preacher, and devoted friend of blacks with John Brown’s public persona.

Sandra Weber is the author of numerous magazine articles and several books, including The Woman Suffrage Statue and Adirondack Roots: Stories of Hiking, History and Women. She lives in a log cabin in the Adirondacks, about twenty-five miles from the John Brown Farm.

Register HERE.

SLC Arts Presents

Call for Artists: Post Card Show

2026 Potsdam Town Hall Exhibition Series

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 5, 11:59 pm

Notice of Acceptance: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Drop off Artwork: by Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Gallery Opening Event: Thursday, January 29, 5 pm

We’re calling artists of all ages and backgrounds to participate in our upcoming Postcard Show!

This exhibition celebrates small-format creativity and global connection. All submissions should be horizontal and standard postcard size (4″x6″). Whether you’re a professional, hobbyist, or student, your postcard art is welcome!

We encourage submissions from around the world. Art teachers or class groups wishing to submit together should email Emilia (emilia@slcartscouncouncil.org) to coordinate and receive an exhibition fee waiver. 

More info and submit HERE.

Also from SLC Arts

Royals of the Raquette mural event

Tuesday, January 6, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

SLC Arts is pleased to announce a special community session for the upcoming public art mural, Royals of the Raquette, to be designed by North Country artist Liza L. L. Paige.

This free, all-ages gathering invites community members to learn about the mural, participate in hands-on art activities, and contribute personal stories that will become part of the final artwork.

During the session, attendees will:

• Hear a project presentation from mural artist Liza L. L. Paige
• Learn about local bird species from Tom Langen, a regional bird expert
• Create bird feeders and craft Loon collages
• Share personal bird stories to be uniquely incorporated into the mural’s design

The mural, inspired by the native species of the Raquette River, will be painted on the Potsdam Water Treatment Plant along the Riverwalk, a pathway developed through the Potsdam Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). This installation will contribute to an emerging arts walk that highlights creative expression and community engagement.

Creative Spirit Community Arts Center, 6 Raymond Street, Potsdam

2026 New Year’s Day Lake George Polar Plunge

Thursday, Jan 1, 2026, 1 pm

The annual Lake George Polar Plunge has been a popular tradition for years, occurring on the “First Day” in Lake George.

Over a thousand people crowd Shepard Park Beach in their swimming trunks and bikinis for the event, shivering and dancing around to stay warm before the countdown to the big plunge. Then, all at once, they rush into the bone-chilling waters for a New Year’s polar bear swim!

More info HERE.

Shepard Park Beach, Canada Street, Lake George