Artists invited

to take part

in outdoor events

WESTPORT -- Champlain Valley artists are sought to participate in a Plein Air (outdoor) drawing or painting event and/or an Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, July 5.

The Plein Air event, sponsored by the Westport Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks, is scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m.; the Studio Tour will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., giving artists an opportunity to do both activities if so desired. Interested viewers can pick up a map to find the artists at work, who will be identified by balloons and signs. Established or recognized artists, newcomers and students are encouraged to participate. After capturing the shapes, lights and shadows, and colors of their selected view in the Champlain Valley of mountains, lakes, rivers, fields or towns, artists will take their work home to further develop it for an art show opening at Westport Heritage House on Thursday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. Silent auction bidding will begin then and conclude at 3 p.m. at the Westport Heritage Festival on Saturday, Aug. 9. Proceeds from the art sales will be shared by the artists and Heritage House, with a small portion going toward event expenses. For full details and an entry form, contact Dee Carroll, 962-4899, or Caroline Rubino, 962-8778. An orientation and registration party is planned for May 1 at Heritage House, when artists can come together for fun and to reveal the vantage point for their creations.

Mountain Lake PBS launches 24th annual Arts Auction

PLATTSBURGH -- Mountain Lake PBS held a three-day art exhibition at the McCord Museum in Montreal recently, marking the beginning of the station's annual Arts Auction event.

More than 100 North Country community members turned out to show their support and love of the arts. A selection of 70 pieces of a total of 150 juried works up for bid were included in the exhibit. All pieces featured at the McCord Museum will be part of the total collection only available for purchase during the live Arts Auction broadcast, happening over three nights on April 25, 26 and 27.

In its 24th year, the Mountain Lake PBS annual Arts Auction has become the station's largest fundraiser. According to a press release from Mountain Lake, it has grown in popularity amongst local and national artists as a way to earn gallery credits, gain recognition and support a worthy cause; all of the proceeds benefit the station's local television productions and programming. This year's collection is valued at more than $80,000 and is comprised of artwork donated to the station by artists from New York, Vermont, Quebec and Ontario.

To encourage people to come into the station to bid, Mountain Lake has compiled an exclusive "In-Studio Collection" of works, with a variety of food and beverage to be provided during three themed evenings: Friday, April 25, is the Red Carpet Soiree; Saturday, April 26, is Mont Royal Night; and Sunday, April 27, will once again be the Adirondack Evening.

The second and last exhibition of the full collection begins with an opening-night reception on Friday, March 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh and runs through April 12.

Anyone can attend the Arts Auction exhibition at North Country Cultural Center, but to obtain an express bid number for speedy bidding or to be part of the live studio audience, contact Mountain Lake Special Events Coordinator Toni Mikulka at (800) 836-5700, Ext. 127. To learn more, visit www.mountainlake.org.

Alessi named Professional Associate

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE -- Doreen Alessi, conservator for the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, has been selected as a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).

A conservator is responsible for the care, restoration and repair of archival or museum artifacts.

Alessi began her career at the museum in 1997 under the auspices of a conservation grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, a federal agency. She became a full-time employee in 2003.

The only membership organization in the United States dedicated to the preservation of cultural material, the American Institute plays a crucial role in establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals and the public.

The Professional Associate application process is dependent on peer review by three Professional Associates or Fellows who serve as sponsors.

The role of the sponsor is to establish the level of knowledge, skill and experience of the applicant. Alessi was required to complete an application and provide a presentation of her work for consideration by the sponsors.

In her role as conservator, Alessi is responsible for more than 100,000 two- and three-dimensional artifacts in the collections of the Adirondack Museum.

The Adirondack Museum tells the story of the Adirondacks through exhibits, special events, classes for schools and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. The museum will open for a new season on May 23, introducing a new exhibit, "Rustic Tomorrow." For information about upcoming exhibits and programs, call (518) 352-7311 or visit www.adirondackmuseum.org.

Adirondack History Center wins

grant funding

ELIZABETHTOWN -- The Adirondack History Center Museum has won a GO grant of $552.10 to allow Director Margaret Gibbs and Assistant to the Director Jenifer Kuba to attend the Museum Association of New York's Conference in Albany on April 14. Kuba will also attend the Association for State and Local History workshop "Digitization and Museums" on April 17 and 18. The grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and administered by the Upstate History Alliance will allow the Adirondack History Center to continue meeting goals of its strategic plan. To learn more about GO grant programs, eligibility requirements and deadlines, visit UHA's Web site at www.upstatehistory.org or contact the Upstate History Alliance by e-mail at info@upstatehistory.org or by phone at (800) 895-1648. The Adirondack History Center Museum is located at 7590 Court St., Elizabethtown. It is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. For information, call 873-6466.