St. Lawrence County Arts Council - Creatives Rebuild New York

A small group of people gathered in a cozy library setting, seated on wooden chairs arranged in a semi-circle. Books fill the shelves along the walls, creating an inviting and intellectual atmosphere. At one end of the room, two individuals are presenting, sitting on chairs facing the audience. A large screen displays images and text related to the presentation. Attendees of various ages and backgrounds are attentively watching, some in conversation, indicating an engaging and interactive session. A table with refreshments is set up on one side, suggesting a casual and friendly environment.

Art/Work Speaker Series featuring CRNY artist Matthew Mazzotta

Photo courtesy of Catherine LaPointe Vollmer

Four people are gathered outside near a white house with a garden of red flowers. One person stands, holding a book and pointing at a page, possibly giving a presentation or instruction to the others. The seated individuals, two women and one man, appear engaged and attentive. They are equipped with papers or notebooks, suggesting they are taking notes or sketching. The setting is casual with a few chairs, including a red folding chair. Vegetation and a rural backdrop enhance the relaxed, educational atmosphere.

Plein air art class taught by CRNY artist Catherine LaPointe Vollmer

Photo courtesy of Catherine LaPointe Vollmer

Slide from Artist Entrepreneurship Bootcamp course by CRNY artist Catherine LaPointe Vollmer

Photo courtesy of Catherine LaPointe Vollmer

Two musicians sit on chairs in a grassy park area surrounded by audio equipment and microphones. The musician on the left is playing a violin, while the musician on the right is holding a bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum. Black speakers and audio equipment cases are set up around them. The background features a street with a red car, a white fence, and buildings including a brick structure with arched windows. Autumn trees with orange and green leaves are visible, indicating the fall season. A few people are casually walking in the background, enjoying the outdoor event.

A North Country Christmas

Photo courtesy of Josh Barkley

A North Country Christmas by CRNY artist Joshua Barkley

Photo courtesy of Josh Barkley

A person with long hair and glasses smiles while holding a printed sheet featuring images of an artwork titled 'BALANCE'. The artwork, showcased in an exhibition setting, is displayed on the wall behind them in a large frame. It's a composite piece featuring urban and natural elements, creating a visual narrative about harmony. Text on the printed sheet includes the artist's name, Allison Maloney, and details about a show at the Ogdensburg International Airport. The setting suggests an art gallery or exhibition space.

Artist Allison Montroy at the Ogdensburg Airport, March 2024

Photo by Sharon H.J. Cheng

A person stands in front of a display of five paintings and some informational text. The paintings feature various themes, such as nature and portraits, with elements of trees, landscapes, and groups of people. Each artwork is mounted on a light-colored wall, and small labels are positioned below each piece. The individual, wearing a dark t-shirt with a circular graphic, smiles while standing centered in front of the display.

Artist Aimee Douglass at the Ogdensburg Airport Solo Exhibition, May 2023

Photo by Sharon H.J. Cheng

A woman with short, light hair wearing glasses and a dark cardigan over a blue collared shirt stands in front of a wall displaying artwork. She smiles broadly while standing beside a colorful painting of a cat in a field, surrounded by grass and wildflowers. The painting features a cat with a pink tail and a cheerful expression. To the left, another artwork displays an abstract image of an animal, possibly a dog. On the right, a separate framed piece illustrates a more realistic scene of a body of water. Small information cards are visible beneath each artwork.

Artist Judy Sanford in the “New Work for a New Year” Exhibition, March 2024

Photo by Sharon H.J. Cheng

The Collaboration

Artists Josh Barkley, Sharon H.J. Cheng, Karyn Crispo, Matthew Mazzotta, Andrew Norrell, and Catherine LaPointe Vollmer collaborated with the St. Lawrence County Arts Council to bring a range of artistic and cultural projects to help boost the creative economy of the rural North Country region. Catherine developed arts programming and professional development opportunities to reach community members and foster an interest in the arts, including an annual non-juried plein air festival. Matthew worked with local skateboarders and musicians to develop a skatepark and theater in Potsdam and Canton. Josh worked with SLC Arts to create a safe space for building a local music community by establishing a Jam Session/Open Mic night, a Christmas tour, and a workshop on music confidence, presented in schools. Sharon curated 18 exhibitions in collaboration with Potsdam Town Hall and Ogdensburg Airport over the course of two years.

The Organization

The St. Lawrence County Arts Council enriches the vibrancy of the North Country community by cultivating art appreciation and inspiring creative expression.

Rural towns often don't get to dream big when it comes to how their streetscapes look and function. It was a pleasure to hold space for others to voice their dreams on two imaginative projects. Matthew Mazzotta

Collaborating with our local community to cultivate a rich music culture and share the joy of music education has been an immensely rewarding journey. Joshua Barkley

A special exhibition by Akwesasne artists' "Akhwatsi:re- My Family" was finally opened to the public. I'm proud of bringing it to the North Country. The long planning process taught me important lessons about persistence and cultural sensibility. Sharon HJ Cheng