We have made the difficult decision not to open this season. Everyone’s health and safety are paramount. We need to safeguard our employees, volunteers, artists, and visitors. Under the current circumstances, that does not seem feasible, though it leaves a hole in our hearts.

Some of our Board members reflect on what the AAA and its Gallery mean to them

Deborah Virella, AAA Board Vice-Chair:

As a young girl, I would go to the Gallery when my parents came to Willsboro for the summer. My Mom, Eva Eaton, knew I loved art – not something my scientist parents usually did.

I began a collection of art for the farmhouse in New Russia I bought 33 years ago for my retirement, getting to know some of the artists like Alice Wand.

When I retired from my big corporate jobs in New York City, I started to do people portraits studying at the School of Visual Arts. After showing at a gallery in NY City, I became brave enough to ask how one exhibited at the Gallery up here since we began to spend more time in the Adirondacks. That led to being on the Board.

The variety of art and the opportunity to meet other creative artists through the Gallery has enriched my life for so many years. I will miss it dearly this summer. But I look forward to the opportunity to envision a way to secure our future and to engage more young people so they will help forge that future.

Eve Ticknor, AAA Board Secretary:

The Gallery in Essex, NY, has been a presence in my life in one way or another for many years. I had been taken to it when much younger, but my mother’s move to live in Essex around 1980 made it of more importance.

I was still living in Ottawa, Ontario at this time, so my mother, Ethel Bernard, a watercolour artist, became more involved with the Gallery, as she was with the music scene. She became President of the Adirondack Art Association in 1985 for 2 years. I would go see what was in the Gallery when I would come visit her. Then I retired in 2011 and started to spend more time with her. She died in 2013. Around 2017 or 2018 I joined the Board, becoming Secretary.

It is very sad to see the temporary closure of the Gallery due to the restrictions resulting from COVID-19, a scourge to our world. This decision, really taken out of our hands, has made us rethink how to present Art in a different way, one that will keep us going until such time as reopening in a real, positive way will come to fruition.

We have had very strong support from our members for many years, and I hope they will continue to support us until we can throw open our doors once again.

Ric Feeney, Board Member:

As a watercolor artist I am blessed with my own gallery. Yet the heart of any community isn’t about me, it’s about we. Within the association of artists is the iron that sharpens iron. Within the exchange of ideas is found the spark of new ideas and new seeds of creativity. Rising from the struggle comes the beauty which is art.

We would love to hear your feelings about the AAA Gallery, and especially what you will miss most this year.
Please email us at adkartessex@gmail.com.

We are truly all in this Together…

Many seasonal events, arts, cultural and historic locations have announced that they will remain closed. The website for the Adirondack region’s tourism site, called ROOST, is even asking people not to come to the Adirondacks this year.

Their website, roostadk.com/updates, says:

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) for the Adirondack region is currently telling our travelers that now is not the time to visit. Now is a time to PAUSE, reconnect with loved ones, and find safe, healthy adventures close to home. But rest assured, we’ll be here ready to welcome you back when the time is right.

ROOST is committed to ensuring that every experience in the Adirondacks is the best it can be by providing up-to-date information. The safety of our residents is our highest priority as we navigate these uncertain times. We are dedicated to working in collaboration with health and government officials as well as our Adirondack communities to help provide the resources we all need to make informed decisions.

Goodbye Gallery Director Denise Leavitt

We say goodbye to Denise Leavitt, who has been a tremendous asset as Gallery Director last season, Board member and Exhibiting Artist. She and Merrell are planning to move to Florida before next winter, and there are many demands on her time before then. She resigned from the Board now, and Merrell will soon do the same, as they will not be able to serve on the Board from afar. We wish you both all the best – and if you decide to return in the summers, we want to show your artwork!

THANK YOU to the Essex County Arts Council

A huge THANK YOU to the Essex County Arts Council (ECAC) for a Cultural Assistance Program Grant made with funding provided by Essex County. Our early March application envisioned three adult classes this summer. But the pandemic has made that impossible. The ECAC allowed the option of applying the grant monies to our operating expenses. We gratefully accept the $405 grant and, if it can be done safely, we pledge to spend $250 of it on an outdoor pottery class in late July.

To our Artists

We offer a page on our website for each artist who is interested, where you can show your artist statement or bio, one image of your work, and a link to your website or email.

The usual $85 membership fee is not required, although we welcome a donation to help with our on-going expenses. Any sales will be directly with you, and the AAA will not expect a commission.

If you would like more than one image to be shown on the AAA website, then for a nominal $25 fee we can feature up to 10 images, which will remain on our website throughout the year.

Dennis Kalma, our newest board member, is handling the website – thank you so much! It would help us to know how many of you are interested in either of these options, so please email adkartessex@gmail.com. Dennis will then be in touch with you about the image format and resolution you should send.

Support AAA

To all our Friends: In our last newsletter, we asked you to renew your membership, and very much appreciate those who have done so. The pandemic has now eliminated our in-person season, so we are waiving standard membership fees and simply ask for your support.

We want the AAA to continue, and are working to add more content to our website and facebook pages. Where else should we show ourselves? Instagram? Elsewhere? If you can help us with your expertise or financially, that will make a huge difference.

We really need your time or your money to help us make things happen!

If you are able to donate any amount,
please mail a check to the AAA, PO Box 51, Essex, NY 12936

You can even make a charitable donation of your vehicle or boat to the Adirondack Art Association through CARS.
They sell it and we get the proceeds! For more information contact us, or go to careasy.org.

We are sorry that we will not be seeing you this summer—
Wherever you are, Stay Safe and Well!