The highly anticipated Keeseville Community Arts Festival is back for another exciting year; bringing together artists, locals, and visitors to celebrate our vibrant arts community. The festival will take place from July 19-20, 2024, featuring a diverse range of activities and events designed to inspire creativity and foster a sense of community.

“Strong communities are creative, vibrant communities,” said Sawyer Bailey, Executive Director of AdkAction. “The Keeseville Community Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Keeseville, enjoy and create art, and envision new possibilities together.”

Diana Zais, Board Member of AdkAction and an event organizer, added, “We are so grateful to the many individuals and local business sponsors that support the festival, and the team of dedicated volunteers that make the event possible. Over the past few years the festival has grown and evolved into a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate local art, and enjoy the beauty of Keeseville.”

The 2024 festival promises an array of activities, with most events being free to attend. Specific activities, such as the Opening Reception, Color Run, or Brunch with the Artists, require only a nominal fee. For more details and to register for events, interested attendees should visit AdkAction.org/Art.

Schedule of Events

Pre-Festival Events:

• Plein Air Painting (July 16-18): Artists from around the northeast will capture the beauty of Keeseville’s landscapes, farms, and historic architecture in their plein air paintings, which will be showcased at the Plein Air Show & Sale starting Friday.
• Agricultural Arts Tour (July 18): Explore Keeseville’s iconic farms with Adirondack Architectural Heritage’s tour titled “Small Farm Rising: Keeseville.” The tour includes visits to Ausable Brewing Company, Mace Chasm Farm, North Country Creamery, Sand River Community Farm, and Highlands Vineyard. The tour includes lunch by Northern Feast. Pre-registration is required, and available at aarch.org. $60 per person ($50 for Young Preservationists aged 35 and under).

Friday, July 19:

• Children’s Programming at the Keeseville Free Library (Morning): Join the Keeseville Free Library for some exclusive festival-themed children’s programming!
• Plein Air Show & Sale, Opening Reception (5:00 – 8:00pm): Enjoy an evening of wine and cheese at the Old Stone Mil (126 Ausable Street)l while viewing 120 newly created works of art by 40 talented artists. Ad
• Live Music in Riverside Park (7:00 – 9:00pm): Bring a chair or picnic blanket to enjoy live music by the Ausable River, sponsored by the Keeseville Business Association.
• Live Music at Ausable Brewing Company (6:00 – 8:00pm)

Saturday, July 20:

• Color Walk/Run (9:00 am): Participate in a 5k or 1 Mile Fun Run starting at the walking bridge. Registration is $10. Advance sign-up available at Dynamix Fitness & Wellness Studio. Registration starts at 8:00am at Dynamix Fitness & Wellness Studio, 1701 Front Street.
• Plein Air Show & Sale, Brunch with the Artists (10:00 am – 4:00 pm): Plein Air Show open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, brunch available 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, and a performance by Meadowmount School of Music 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Enjoy mimosas and light brunch fare while viewing 120 newly created works of art by 40 talented artists, showing the beautiful landscapes and architecture of Keeseville. Paintings are available for purchase from Friday’s opening reception through Saturday at 4:00. Gallery admission is free, brunch is $10 at the door.
• Arts in the Park & Free Kids Activities (10:00 am – 3:00 pm): Join hands-on demonstrations in pottery, flower arranging, beading, jewelry making, candle making, and graphic arts. Kids can enjoy free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops, face painting, a tie-dye workshop, a scavenger hunt and outdoor painting at the Keeseville Community Garden. At the Stone Mill (126 Ausable Street), Ausable Valley Grange (1749 Main Street), and sites around the hamlet.
• Live Music at Ausable Brewing Company (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm): End the festival with live music at Ausable Brewing Company.