MALONE — Foothills Art Society, a local organization that aims to be a center of arts and culture in the North Country, is looking to the future, having completed the purchase of the Pearl Street building that houses the organization and named a new executive director with a wealth of experience.
The agency acquired the building late last year and were renting as they worked to raise the funds necessary to complete the purchase, and board president Jenny Gessler said the outpouring of financial support from businesses, organizations, and individuals has been key to helping Foothills grow. The building transfer became official on July 14, Gessler said.
“We quietly raised some money to purchase it,” she said. “Now we’re starting our capital campaign again so we can start the renovations.”
She said the current fund raising goal of roughly $3.5 million would allow the organization to expand its offerings and become the cultural center they envision for Malone.
“That would do the whole building – exterior, interior, the site work for the parking lot,” Gessler said. “We’d have artist studios downstairs, a workshop area for kids, theater, cafe. You name it.”
She said the design would allow for a space for class reunions, weddings, and other events.
She said fund raising and renovations would occur in phases, and that rent from current tenants in the building will also provide some income for Foothills moving forward.
Plans for the site also include indoor and outdoor performance spaces and gallery space for exhibitions. Foothills has already renovated the ground floor of the building to house the gallery, and the agency has continued work to expand through their sponsorship of Childstock Music Festival for the second consecutive year and a partnership with the Chateaugay theater.
Gessler said big donations came from several sources, including Stewart’s Shops, Price Chopper, and Citizen Advocates, Inc. (CAI), which allowed Foothills to put down $170,000 toward the $245,000 price tag on the site. Stewart’s donated $20,000, with $10,000 each coming from Price Chopper and CAI, respectively.
Gessler said while the building purchase is complete, much work remains to fulfill the agency’s vision for the site.
The first step, she said, is shoring up a wall behind the building that was compromised by the demolition of a neighboring structure several years ago.
“The back wall is severely damaged,” Gessler said. “It might last fifty years or we could have an earthquake tomorrow.
“We have to fix that wall before we spend any money.”
Essential repairs on the wall are expected to cost roughly $300,000, she said.
Gessler said summer events have been more lightly attended than last year, but this has served to help Foothills understand what works for the organization and the community it serves.
“I just keep saying it’s lessons learned,” Gessler said. “We’re learning what works and what doesn’t.”
She went on to say that a reception is planned for Sept. 29 at the North Star Gallery to recognize the donations that have helped Foothills grow over the last several months. The event will be open to benefactors as well as the public.
Other notable upcoming events include an exhibit and performance by Phoenix Mendoza at the North Star Gallery on Pearl Street, followed by a more intimate affair at a home on Upper Chateaugay Lake. Space is limited to 75 people for the lake event so people are required to make reservations at foothillsartsociety.com or by calling 518 319-4260. The exhibit on Pearl Street will run through Aug. 12 with a performance by Mendoza on Aug. 11. The outdoor concert on the lake is slated for Aug. 12.
The lake concert will be held at the home of Nikki Charboneau, who donated $60,000 to the organization, Gessler said.
New director named
Brenton Dumas, who took over as director in May, said he tendered his resignation in July and officially resigned Monday. In his place, Foothills has hired Scott Habes of Rochester, who Gessler said brings a wide range of experience specific to the agency’s needs and goals.
“For personal and professional reasons, I made the preeminent decision for myself and my family to resign from Foothills Art Society as the executive director,” Dumas told the Telegram Tuesday. “I wish nothing but the very best for Foothills Art Society for many years to come.”
His replacement most recently worked as executive director of the Genessee Valley Council on the Arts in Mount Vernon, and has worked as a curator in addition to several directorships, including more than ten years as the director of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.
Efforts to reach Habes for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.
The agency acquired the building late last year and were renting as they worked to raise the funds necessary to complete the purchase, and board president Jenny Gessler said the outpouring of financial support from businesses, organizations, and individuals has been key to helping Foothills grow. The building transfer became official on July 14, Gessler said.
“We quietly raised some money to purchase it,” she said. “Now we’re starting our capital campaign again so we can start the renovations.”
She said the current fund raising goal of roughly $3.5 million would allow the organization to expand its offerings and become the cultural center they envision for Malone.
“That would do the whole building – exterior, interior, the site work for the parking lot,” Gessler said. “We’d have artist studios downstairs, a workshop area for kids, theater, cafe. You name it.”
She said the design would allow for a space for class reunions, weddings, and other events.
She said fund raising and renovations would occur in phases, and that rent from current tenants in the building will also provide some income for Foothills moving forward.
Plans for the site also include indoor and outdoor performance spaces and gallery space for exhibitions. Foothills has already renovated the ground floor of the building to house the gallery, and the agency has continued work to expand through their sponsorship of Childstock Music Festival for the second consecutive year and a partnership with the Chateaugay theater.
Gessler said big donations came from several sources, including Stewart’s Shops, Price Chopper, and Citizen Advocates, Inc. (CAI), which allowed Foothills to put down $170,000 toward the $245,000 price tag on the site. Stewart’s donated $20,000, with $10,000 each coming from Price Chopper and CAI, respectively.
Gessler said while the building purchase is complete, much work remains to fulfill the agency’s vision for the site.
The first step, she said, is shoring up a wall behind the building that was compromised by the demolition of a neighboring structure several years ago.
“The back wall is severely damaged,” Gessler said. “It might last fifty years or we could have an earthquake tomorrow.
“We have to fix that wall before we spend any money.”
Essential repairs on the wall are expected to cost roughly $300,000, she said.
Gessler said summer events have been more lightly attended than last year, but this has served to help Foothills understand what works for the organization and the community it serves.
“I just keep saying it’s lessons learned,” Gessler said. “We’re learning what works and what doesn’t.”
She went on to say that a reception is planned for Sept. 29 at the North Star Gallery to recognize the donations that have helped Foothills grow over the last several months. The event will be open to benefactors as well as the public.
Other notable upcoming events include an exhibit and performance by Phoenix Mendoza at the North Star Gallery on Pearl Street, followed by a more intimate affair at a home on Upper Chateaugay Lake. Space is limited to 75 people for the lake event so people are required to make reservations at foothillsartsociety.com or by calling 518 319-4260. The exhibit on Pearl Street will run through Aug. 12 with a performance by Mendoza on Aug. 11. The outdoor concert on the lake is slated for Aug. 12.
The lake concert will be held at the home of Nikki Charboneau, who donated $60,000 to the organization, Gessler said.
New director named
Brenton Dumas, who took over as director in May, said he tendered his resignation in July and officially resigned Monday. In his place, Foothills has hired Scott Habes of Rochester, who Gessler said brings a wide range of experience specific to the agency’s needs and goals.
“For personal and professional reasons, I made the preeminent decision for myself and my family to resign from Foothills Art Society as the executive director,” Dumas told the Telegram Tuesday. “I wish nothing but the very best for Foothills Art Society for many years to come.”
His replacement most recently worked as executive director of the Genessee Valley Council on the Arts in Mount Vernon, and has worked as a curator in addition to several directorships, including more than ten years as the director of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.
Efforts to reach Habes for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.
