Call for Artist Vendors

First Annual Art in the Forks Festival

Adirondack Artists Guild presents

En Plein Air, Jacqueline Altman

Friday, July 3 – Monday, August 3

Opening reception Friday, July 3, 5 – 7 pm

Jacqueline has continued the tradition of painting en plein air ever since she was a student at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and her professors took their classes outside to paint and draw in the surrounding areas. When she arrived in Saranac Lake as an art teacher, she signed up for watercolor painting workshops with Robert Plumb, a teacher from the Norwood-Massena area who had done reconnaissance looking for great hidden gems to paint with his classes. 

The classes fostered a sense of camaraderie among the painters and many became lifelong friends who could always be counted on to make a trek with their equipment, share their discovery of a new place to paint or return to a favorite one…the light and colors always changing…some new aspect to discover and share…in all kinds of weather and seasons. 

Today, Jacqueline fosters her love of plein air painting among fellow artists who meet from spring through fall in an informal group called the Adirondack Artists’ Guild Plein Air Painting Group. Many of the works in this exhibit have been created during those outings. 

Image:  Rail Trail

Adirondack Artists’ Guild Gallery, 52 Main St., Saranac Lake

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) 

History Committee would like your input

The ALCA History Committee is currently working on a Memoir to honor the amazing 60-year history of ALCA…and how bringing arts into the central Adirondacks has impacted our lives in profound ways.

The narrative is being written this year for publication next May, and we would like YOUR contribution to the ALCA 60th Memoir. What do you remember—what brought a smile, a chuckle, even a tear?  

Please email your thoughts, memories, and anecdotes to history@adirondackarts.org for possible inclusion in this publication.

Indian Lake’s Plans to Celebrate America’s 250^th Birthday

The Town of Indian Lake iinvites residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a full day of family-friendly festivities on Saturday, July 4.

The celebration begins with the Indian Lake Farmers Market from 10 am to 2 pm on the front lawn of Indian Lake Central School. At 11 am, the American Legion will host a traditional Flag Retirement Ceremony, demonstrating the proper and respectful disposal of worn American flags. Immediately afterward, the Friends of the Library will present a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Beginning at noon, the community Block Party takes over the Town Concert Stage with music by DJ2T, bounce houses, food trucks, local vendors, commemorative T-shirts, desserts, and fundraising activities through 4 pm. The Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Chicken Barbecue starts at 4 pm at the Fire Hall.

Evening festivities move to Byron Park at 6 pm with live music by Mark Arsenault and sweet treats from local food vendors. The annual parade steps off at 7 pm from Town Hall with this year’s theme, American Pride. 

Following the parade, the Declaration of Independence will be read once more before live music resumes and the celebration concludes with a fireworks display at dusk, sponsored by the Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

Tri-Lakes Pride Festival presents

Dj Norman + Tippy Gourley Dance Party

Sunday, June 28, 3 pm

ER Nurse by day but party animal pretty much at other times, DJ Norman is bringing his code-blue energy to the decks at Tri-Lakes Pride 2026. Catch him spinning at Riverside Park with his glamorous side-kick Tippy Gourley. He’s trading his stethoscope and blood pressure cuff for a mixer and mic, keeping the dance party’s vitals pulsing and your bodies stats more than stable. Scrubs off, glitter on—see you on the floor. 

Festivities start at 12 pm with Pride Parade down Main Street to Riverside Park for vendors, speakers, music, and performances.

Tannery Pond Center presents the 2026 Summer Series. 

First up is

Rhodora String Quartet

Thursday, July 2, 7:30 pm

Praised for their “excellent blend, precision” the Rhodora String Quartet is a captivating emerging ensemble founded in 2024 at Stony Brook University. The quartet was a prizewinner of the Ackerman Chamber Music Competition in 2025, and served as Manchester Music Festival’s first ensemble-in-residence in 2026. They have also participated in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s masterclass series. The group is committed to maintaining a dynamic balance of bringing the masterworks of the string quartet to life, while championing works of living and underrepresented composers.

More info and tickets HERE.

See the full schedule of the Summer Series HERE.

Tannery Pond Community Center, 228 Main Street, North Creek

The View Arts Center presents

Forge Festival of Art and Craft

Saturday, July 4, 10 – 5 

Our Annual Craft Fair occurs on the 4th of July in the heart of Old Forge.

 View Arts Center takes over the Adirondack Bank Parking Lot and turns it into a place for visitors to shop and vendors to show off their custom, creative and handmade products. You can expect 50+ vendors selling hand crafted products such as delicious food, artisan soaps, bags, pet products, pottery jewelry, wood working and more! Admission to this event is $5/person and kids 10 and under & veterans are free!

Find out more HERE.

Reproductive Healthcare Fundraiser

Sex Trivia

Monday, June 29, 5:30 pm

Join us at the Belvedere Restaurant for a night of fun along with informative questions, cool and funny prizes, and sexy songs popular throughout the ages. No need to be a part of a team, you can sign up on your own, and we shall assemble a team for you. Full menu and bar available.

Register HERE.

The Belvedere Restaurant, 102 Bloomingdale Ave, Saranac Lake

The Old Forge Library presents

44th Annual Summer Writers Workshop

Five-session workshop, Wednesday evenings, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, July 8 thru  August 5

Award-winning poet and author Jessica Cuello will lead the 44th Annual Summer Writers Workshop.

Open to writers of all experience levels and genres, the workshop is limited to 12 participants to foster a supportive, engaging, and collaborative environment. Through guided discussion, writing exercises, and constructive feedback, participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their craft and develop new work alongside fellow writers.

Jessica Cuello is the recipient of the 2025 Adele and Robert Schiff Nonfiction Prize from The Cincinnati Review. Her newest poetry collection, Feral, is forthcoming in 2027, and her translation of Tania Langlais’s While Percival Fell was published in 2026. She is also the author of Liar, winner of the 2020 Barrow Street Book Prize, along with three additional poetry collections. 

The workshop will culminate in a public Open Mic Night on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 pm. Participants and local writers are invited to share their polished work. Community members are encouraged to attend and celebrate the creative voices of the region.

Advance registration is required, and participants are asked to commit to attending all sessions. To register or learn more, please call the library at (315) 369-6008 or email oldforge@midyork.org

Old Forge Library, 220 Crosby Blvd, Old Forge

United Methodist Church of Chestertown presents

2026 Strawberry Festival

Saturday, July 4, 9 am – 2 pm

Come join us for our annual Strawberry Festival! We have strawberry shortcake, sundaes, milkshakes and more.

Browse our tables featuring refreshments, jewelry, basket raffle, pies, books, and vintage collectibles.

Visit HERE for more information.

United Methodist Church of Chestertown, 11 Church Street. Chestertown

In Case You Missed It

Public art adds to creative renaissance in Au Sable Forks 

‘Water Wonder’ mural pairs with Ausable Theater’s ongoing  restoration work

Writing in the Adirondack Explorer, David Escobar looks at the new “Water Wonder” mural by Oregon-based muralist Erika Rosendalein Au Sable Forks, recognizing the impact beyond paint on the wall.

You can read the full article HERE.

Images: Top, Erika Rosendale (aka Miss Teal), a Oregon-based muralist who painted “Water Wonder” on the side of the Ausable Theater. Lower, Norman Jabaut (left) and Jason Andrew (right), owners of the Ausable Theater in Au Sable Forks, NY. Photos by David Escobar.