The North Star Gallery on Pearl: A New Addition to the Local Art Scene

MALONE — Art lovers in the community have a new reason to celebrate with the recent opening of the North Star Gallery on Pearl, part of Foothills Art Society. This new gallery, which opened in mid-December 2022, provides an additional space for local artists to showcase their work and offers visitors a diverse array of artistic pieces.

The gallery boasts an impressive collection of paintings and photography, as well as sculptures and mixed media pieces. One of the standout features of the North Star Gallery on Pearl is its gift shop, which includes a wide range of handmade items such as jewelry, ceramics, cards, wooden furniture and garden features.

The gallery will host an exhibit and opening featuring the work of Gail Bessette, accompanied by harpist Martha Gallagher, on June 9. Later in the summer, the gallery will feature an exhibit by Phoenix Mendoza, with a mini concert to accompany the art.

The gallery is committed to being an ongoing supporter of Indigenous communities and looks forward to presenting “Indigenous — Many Perspectives” in late October.

The North Star Gallery on Pearl is a welcome addition to the local art scene, and provides a vibrant and welcoming space for artists and art lovers alike. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.FoothillsArtSociety.com for more information.

Meet the Artist: Mary Woodcock Johnson

Mary Woodcock Johnson is a Maine native who has painted and taught art in the Adirondacks since 1984. Oil, watercolor and drawing are her usual media, and she recently ventured into acrylic painting.

While attending classes at the University of Maine and the University of Wisconsin she focused on drawing and painting figures. Their interactions and relationships along with their gestures create that sense of place that allows the viewer access to the painting.

The tilt of a head, the closeness of two figures as they walk by a third, Winter Carnival crowds or a solitary figure walking down a Saranac Lake street are often her subjects.

During the past few years, Johnson’s daily walks in the woods influenced her painting so that landscapes, flowers, trees, animals and birds are often her subjects. Those both seen and those she hopes to see have found their way into her work. But always the figures return.

Johnson is a member of NorthWind Fine Arts Gallery. Her work is included in both private and public collections and can be viewed online at mwjohnsonpaintings.com

Saturday, Sept. 23

¯ Adirondack Harvest Plein Air Festival — Sept. 19-23, Ticonderoga. More info: www. saranaclakeartworks.org.

¯ Cinco de Mayo Karaoke with Dennis & Deb — 6 p.m., P-2’s Irish Pub, 31 Main St., Tupper Lake, free.

¯ Live music: Tom Rush with Matt Nakoa — 7:30 p.m., Keene Valley Congregational church, 1791 NY-73, suggested donation $20-30.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

¯ Open Mic — 8 p.m. every Tuesday, The Rusty Nail, 83 Broadway, Saranac Lake.

Friday, Sept. 29

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

¯ Live music: Andy Walkow — 6 p.m., P-2’s Irish Pub, 31 Main St., Tupper Lake, free.

Saturday, Sept. 30

¯ Birding hike with Joan Collins — 7 a.m. meet at Geiger Arena, 6 Pavilion Road, Long Lake, walk to Hitchins Pond and Upper Dam on Bog River. Register: 518-624-3077. Maximum 15 participants. Bring food, water, jacket, appropriate attire/hiking shoes, binoculars, hat, sunscreen and bug spray.

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

¯ Live music: Cam Caruso — 6 p.m., P-2’s Irish Pub, 31 Main St., Tupper Lake, free.

Sunday, Oct. 1

¯ Kite Fest — 10 a.m., Marcy Field, Keene Valley, free.

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine pub- lisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

Monday, Oct. 2

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

¯ Book Club discussion

— With Tom Walker to discuss “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey,” 7 to 8 p.m., The Bookstore Plus, 2491 Main St., Lake Placid. More info: www.thebookstoreplus.com.

¯ Open Mic — 8 p.m. every Tuesday, The Rusty Nail, 83 Broadway, Saranac Lake.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More info: fallcolorweek.com/saranac-village.

¯ Tupper Lake Plein Air Festival — Oct. 4-8, Tupper Arts, 106 Park St., Tupper Lake. four-day festival that concludes with a gallery and sale at the Tupper Arts Center. More info: www.tupperarts.org.

¯ Open Mic — 7 to 10 p.m. first and third Wednesday every month, Great Hall Bar, Hotel Saranac. Full band setup available for those without instruments.

Thursday, Oct. 5

¯ PleinAir Magazine Fall Color Week — A private week-long painting adventure with PleinAir magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, Sept. 29 - Oct. 6 in Saranac Lake. More