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Listen to Executive Director Heather Hutchison talk about CREATE, our mission and more!
2020 Highlights
October 23, 2020
Today is always the day to bring awareness to and uplift the voices of our community. #BLM Pride Protest banners are finally installed at Gateway Park!!! All pieces of art on the banners were created by LGBTQIA+ members and allies of our community at the BLM Pride Protest. Thank you to @downtown_schenectady for their incredible help installing this project, and a big thank you to @capregionartscenter for continuous support. The fight is not over. Let’s keep working and supporting each other like never before.
July 16th, 2020
1 year ago we hosted #colorthecanal with Friends of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail, showcasing over 100 pieces of artwork along the Rotterdam-Schenectady portion of the trail. This year’s exhibit will be slightly smaller but we are exhibited to begin installation this week of dozens of paintings along the trail. This year's display is a collaborative project with Friends of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail & Electric City Bike Rescue, Inc
July 7th, 2020
A super big shout out to Isabella Burnett and her amazing painting skills! We finished up the bike shelter mural yesterday as part of this year’s #colorthecanal !
Over the past several weeks we have all altered the way we interact, socialize, and connect. Physical distancing may keep us six feet apart, but it does not keep us from creating art! Our mission to use expressive arts as a medium to increase general well-being is important now more than ever. From outside public art to online classes to our Taking Care boxes, we are so humbled by the vibrant response from our community! Here is a timeline of our amazing community art endeavors during this unique time.
Partial funding provided by The Schenectady Foundation.
May 1st, 2020
Our very own Heather Hutchison was interviewed for a Beyond My Battle podcast on the topic of Art, Creative Expression and Coping. Thank you to Martel Catalano for the interview! Click HERE to listen to the full podcast. Heather chimes in around minuet twenty one.
April 30th, 2020
We can still connect while we keep a physical distance. Help us highlight how art keeps us strong! We are issuing a Call for Art as part of the #SaratogaStronger2020 community art project. Our artwork will be placed around Saratoga County to help brighten our community! Artwork will also be used later as part of Color the Canal in July.
Interested in participating? Please contact Julie Lewis, at juliannelewis73@gmail.com.
April 29th, 2020
Thanks to our amazing "Everything is Lit" & "All Write Together" instructor Colleen Wygall for ... well, being herself, and continuing to help us all stay connected in creative ways. #walkpoetry continues to grow every day! Check out the most recent article in The Daily Gazette, click HERE to read more!
April 25th, 2020
As warmer weather starts up, we revisited the very first public art mural on the bike path! Community art continues to grow on the fence in downtown Schenectady.
April 20th, 2020
In collaboration with Schenectady Public Library and Kids Art Fest we are excited to share with you #schenectadystrong2020. We can still connect via art making while practicing physical distancing!
Want to become involved? To learn more about this community art project, click HERE!
April 16th, 2020
Repurposed artwork successfully delivered to the Schenectady County COVID-19 Emergency Response Coalition call center! Thanks to all our County workers and volunteers who are answering the phones, packing and delivering food and essential items to County residents!
Artwork credit: Benj Gleeksman & EFNENY Studio e Art Therapy Program, (right) and Emery Haliotis, (left)
April 11th, 2020
In honor of Mental Health awareness month in May we are honoring how art has been helping us deal with the challenges of isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
During this time of physical distancing, we’ve seen a return to people’s love of all things creative, and remembering that the arts are how we adapt to changing life circumstances.
What have been making? Show us!
We will have an exhibit in May (or whenever our studios are able to be open to the public) showcasing these pieces.
In the meantime, we will have a virtual exhibit in May via social media.
April 7th, 2020
We continue to persist in providing community members with chalk and art supplies during this time that creative expression is essential.
We have helped distribute over 130 bags of chalk to community members, and dozens of boxes of art supplies.
March 31st, 2020
We have some exciting news: We now have virtual classes available beginning this week! We have classes for ALL ages! Sign up for for Teen Art Hour, Kids Art Hour, Art Journaling, and more. See you online Click HERE for our online schedule!
March 28th, 2020
Julie Lewis and Heather Hutchison delivering Taking Care Boxes in Saratoga and Schenectady! Thanks to your generosity we have been able to send over 40 boxes to our community partners for their consumers!!!
March 27th, 2020
Chalk art continues to expand everyday! We are so proud of Colleen Wygal! Be sure to check out news report from WTEN here!
“When we are in these times of crisis, the arts are what join us together.” - Heather Hutchison
March 22nd, 2020
Chalk art is fantastic way to make art outside! College Wygal started a group called #walkpoetry to spread joy through positive messages via chalk art.
March 20th, 2020
Portraits in “physical distancing” (note: we can be social while being physically apart). Adding to fence art and chalk art outside #schenectady City Hall.
March 19th, 2020
Fence art is a wonderful way to be creative outside while keeping up with the social distance requirements. Thank you Indiana Nash for spotlighting how we can stay creative and in community when we are at a distance from each other! Be sure to check out the Daily Gazette article HERE!
March 18th, 2020
Right now we need to take care of ourselves more than ever, and these boxes are packed with essential art making materials.
Consider purchasing a box for yourself, or making a donation towards one! For every $30 donation, we will bring one more box to a partner agency, including WellSpring, Shelters of Saratoga - Code Blue Saratoga, Schenectady Community Action Program, New Choices Recovery Center.
Click HERE to buy or donate one!
March 17th, 2020
As a way to combat physical distancing, we have implemented an online "Taking Care" video series! We will be uploading a daily art prompt for you to follow at home. Check back frequently for new prompts, or click HERE to subscribe !
February 14th, 2020
Saratoga Today shines some light on our amazing Saratoga studio, and talk about how our unique space offers community members to make art together. Thank you to Jessica Pavia for a wonderful article, and beautiful photo of our space. Click HERE to read the full article online!
