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SPRING 2019Dolores Thomson has beencreating with clay for morethan 25 years. She studiedceramics independently atSkidmore College andattended regional clayworkshops to learn varioustechniques. She worked as ateacher's assistant for 12 years forSkidmore's Special Programs Rakuclass. She has taught children’s clayclasses at BOCES and other local claystudios.Dolores studied art and art history atSUNY Adirondack, and graduatedSumma Cum Laude with an A.A.S.degree in Communications and MediaArts. While at SUNY Adirondack, shereceived the Academic ExcellenceAward in Communication / Media Arts- Photography Emphasis, the StudentAward for Excellence for herwatercolor “Lily”, and the ParnassusAward for Art History.North Country Arts (NCA)Suite 11471 Lawrence St.Glens Falls, NY 12801things that matter andneed to be kept safe, and Ifind symmetry and grace inthe simple lines of the quietforms.She states, “Clay is limitless in itsform and expression, and I enjoy thechallenge of exploring and learningthe variety of techniques of theceramic process. I am inspired bythe textures and shapes found innature - flowers, trees, leaves, barkand shells, and by the spirit andaesthetics of Native American andAsian design.The majority of my ceramic workconsists of wheel thrown vessels. Inancient times the vessel was asymbol of the Feminine; the giver oflife, well being and nourishment. Forme, the vessel is representative ofI especially like to Raku orSagger fire my vessels, whichimparts exciting color, patterns andtextures on the forms, furthering theirconnection to the Earth through theelements of smoke and fire. Thesefiring processes are done quickly inan outdoor kiln. For Raku, glazeformulated for Raku firing is appliedto bisque fired pottery. When the kilnreaches 1832o, in about two hours,the pieces are pulled from the kilnand placed in a metal can containinghay or sawdust, which immediatelyignites. The can is then quicklycovered, smothering the flames tocreate a reduction atmosphere in thecan. The result is often beautifulVisit us at:www.northcountryarts.orgLike us on Facebook

flashes of color where the pottery was “kissed” by the fire. Raku firing was originally adopted by the Japanese fortheir tea ceremony, loosely translated the word Raku means enjoyment.The Sagger Firing process uses no glazes. Bisque fired pottery isplaced in a closed clay container, or sagger, which is then filled withsawdust, rock salt, copper wire, sulfates and organic material which burnup during the firing. The kiln is fired to 1832o, and allowed to cool beforeopening. It’s always exciting opening the kiln to see the results the blushesof color and patterns on the vessels achieved from the firing and fumes ofthe combustible materials. Both the Raku and Sagger firing processes areexciting, and I can hardly wait for the moment when the kiln is opened andthe results are revealed.The challenge to explore and express myself through clay has been ajourney of self-discovery. Clay has taught me to have patience, to seekbalance and harmony, and to embrace the unexpected results. By itsvery nature, clay connects us to the Earth, and I find my awareness andappreciation of the world around me heightened. As I continue tocreate with clay, I continue to create myself.Clay Concepts Studio Spring Session will start theweek of March 18th.Offering: Eight week wheel throwing classes, Handbuilding workshops, "Try-it" classes & Private LessonsVisit the website for class informationwww.clayconceptspottery.comMember NewsSeveral NCA members were accepted into a juried show at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, Gloversville. TheCenter provides a creative educational resource through classes, entertainment, exhibitions and special events.Marion Kratky won Best in Show for her work, “Hatch Creek.” Paul Chapman’s painting “In the Beginning” wasselected Second Best in Show. Marion Kratky also won People’s Choice at the Sweetheart Deal Show. Additionally,Fred Holman has received Second Best in Show for his piece “The Falls” in The Shirt Factory’s Small Works JuriedArt Show.From l to r: “HatchCreek,” by MarionKratky, “In theBeginning,” by PaulChapman, and “TheFalls,” by Fred Holman2.

North Country Arts Involvement with Arts District of Glens Falls -- NCA is Represented, byJacquiline Touba, Ph.D.For the last four years, NCA has been active with the Arts District of Glens Falls (ADGF) to create a trail whichwould connect all the arts organizations located within walking distance of the downtown area. Some years ago ADGFapplied for a grant for the project from the DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) 10 million awarded to the City ofGlens Falls by NYS two years ago.The ADGF was awarded funding but has not yet received it although it is anticipatedto be released this spring.One part of the proposal is to create a general website where each organization will have a separate page andbe marketed to the public which will be created by Mannix Marketing and it was approved. In addition, North CountryArts will be awarded 4500 to upgrade its own website so that its individual members will be able to have a separatepage of their own on the website. NCA is required to contribute a 1500 match to receive the money. The work will bedone by Advokate. All members should start thinking about what they would like to have on their page -- descriptionof the artist, the work, photos, exhibits, etc. We’ll let you know in an eblast when we need the information. Since NCAwill be linked to the ADGF website, each member will be reaching a much larger audience.In addition to e-marketing, there will be a trifold rack card with information about each organization that will bedistributed for three years through a distribution company in hotels, restaurant, etc, in the Lake George and upperWarren County, Saratoga and Capital District regions from May through September. Thus, NCA will be getting intoareas heretofore inaccessible to the organization due to the cost.The rest of the immediate project will entail colorful ADGF banners which will be erected on lampposts andsidewalk markers stenciled along the trail, and 10 artistic bicycle racks installed near each of the locations of theorganizations in the ADGF. NCA will have one at City Hall and at the Shirt Factory.Once this phase is complete, the second phase of the project is to have sculptures, murals and other art alongthe trail. There will be a call for artists to submit proposals for this phase. Stay tuned for more details on this.Meantime, the 13 organizations continue to meet monthly to collaborate and share information and ideas.Studio Tour Planning BeginsNorthCountryARTS is holding its 2nd annual Artists Studio Tour in August. This year we have expanded it to two dayseach weekend. Glens Falls/Queensbury will be held the first weekend, August 3 & 4 and North Warren will be August10 & 11. If you are interested in participating and are not one of the 30 artists already signed up, please contact FredHolman at fholman186@gmail.com by June 1, 2019.Grant NewsNYS Decentralization Grant -- North Country Arts was awarded 4500 toward its enhanced Open Studio Tour totake place on two weekends and four days. It will be in southern Warren County including Glens Falls, Queensburyand Lake George, on August 3 and 4, from 10am to 5pm and upper Warren Country on Aug. 10 and 11 from 10am to5pm. Anyone interested in participating should contact Fred Holman at fholman186@yahoo.com. The grant funds willhelp pay for the advertising, and booklet that will be produced for the tour.Touba Family Foundation Grant -- NCA received 2500 for its juried exhibition Expressions 2019, which will takeplace in May 2019 at the Shirt Factory Gallery, Suite 120. The funds will go towards a reception for an awardsceremony and three major awards which will be presented on May 4, 2019 from 5 to 7pm. The juror for Expressions2019 is Jonathan Canning, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programming at the Hyde Collection. All submissionsmust be made at OnLineJuriedShows.com by April 1, 2019.Downtown Revitalization Initiative -- NCA will receive 4500 toward the creation of a new website from the DRImoney being allocated to the Arts District of Glens Falls. Advokate will redesign the website so that each member whowants to have a web presence, can have a separate page of their own. NCA’s website will be linked to the Arts Districtof Glens Falls which will be created by Mannix Marketing. This will give the optimum marketing opportunity for NCAmembers.3.

President’s MessageThe year 2019 is off to a wonderful start! The shows at both the Glens Falls City Hall Second Floor Gallery and theShirt Factory gallery were highly successful. The Upper Hudson River Valley Watercolor Society exhibited at theSecond Floor Gallery during January and February. The work was exquisite, showing a variety of techniques and aplethora of subject matter. The current show features Rebecca Zeh. Much of Rebecca’s inspiration is local, she hascaptured the charm of Saratoga in many of her works. Exhibitor applications are now being accepted for 2020.Exhibiting at the Second Floor Gallery is a great opportunity for artists who have a body of work to show. Works canrange in subject matter as well as media. It is not necessary for all works to be based on one theme.The number of shows that are scheduled for our Shirt Factory Gallery gives members and non-members theopportunity to display their work on a regular basis. NCA is the only art organization in the North Country that givesmembers such opportunities. The Sweetheart Deal was truly a success. Many sales were made. Artists can now hangmore than the two works or five display items per show. With the minimal additional fee of 5 per piece, artists arenow given the opportunity to show more of their work. Since this experimental rule was such a great success, NCAwill continue the same for future exhibits. The next members show “Elements”, will take place during the months ofMarch and April. Drop off for this exhibit is March 9 after the completion of the Youth Visions Exhibit.The Ninth Annual Youth Visions exhibit is on display at the Shirt factory from February 16 through March 9. Wewholeheartedly thank the art educators who participate in the show. Without their help and tutelage, the exhibit wouldnot exist.The deadline for “Expressions”, our annual juried show, is April 1. Please go to the onlinejuriedshows.com to submityour work. This year’s juror is Jonathan Canning, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programing at the Hyde Museum.We are very excited that he has agreed to judge our show.We are still accepting applications for the Artist Studio Tour. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit individualgalleries, meet the artists, explore their studios and purchase artwork. Because of the tremendous success of lastyear’s tour, we have extended the event to two two-day weekends. The first weekend event will take place in theGlens Falls area and the second weekend event will take place in Northern Warren County.I am once again encouraging you to participate in gallery sitting. When slots are unfilled, the gallery will remainclosed. Putting your work on the gallery walls without visitor access is not productive.Sincerely yours,Judith Aratoli Tully,President, The Board of TrusteesNCA’s Fine Arts Show WinnersNorth Country Arts is pleased to announceartists who took awards at the recent FineArts exhibit at the Crandall Public Library:Bernice Mennis for her oil painting, “HoggIsland, Maine,” Paul Chapman for hisacrylic painting, “Destruction,” andChristopher Grahame for “Flower BlossomMandala,” a graphic print. Congratulationsto all three and thank you to all of the verytalented artists who entered the show. Theawards were made possible through the generous support ofPrice Chopper.4.Above: Bernice Mennis, Paul Chapman, JudithTully (juror) and Christopher Grahame