BY LISA BALSCHUNAT
Talented painters, photographers and sculptors
have smattered the region with their works
in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, government
offices, galleries and local museums for decades,
but in the past 10 years the business and appreciation
of art has exploded in the Glens Falls region.
All offer opportunities for unique holiday gifts.
The Shirt Factory at 71 Lawrence St. in Glens
Falls has gained momentum over the years and
is now occupied with over 50 artists studios,
13 retail shops and 10 galleries. Inside this old
manufacturing structure are working painters,
print makers, pastel artists, fine jewelry makers,
potters, textile artists, photographers, sculptors,
woodworkers, glass artists, quilters, stone carvers,
sculptors, and creators of musical instruments.
According to Kate Avon-Austin, a shirt factory
manager, the factory also rents to loose leaf tea
experts; herbalists, candle makers, quilters,
jewelry makers, soap and essential oil experts,
potters and glass blowers. Massage therapists,
Reiki healers, acupuncturists, nutritionist and
skin care experts are making a living with their
artistic and holistic talents.
In local museums, the World Awareness Children’s
Museum’s DestiNations Shop at 89 Warren
St. sells toys made from recycled materials, music
CDs from around the world, loose neck animals,
and unique international instruments.
The Chapman Historical Museum, 348 Glen
St., carries Seneca Ray Stoddard books, maps
and prints, as well as Max & Mazie fabric dolls,
Adirondack Chandler candles, Doris O’Connor
hand-painted wine glasses, Sweet Pea Farms
maple syrup, and Maple Land Farm candies.
The Hyde Collection museum store at 161
Warren St., offers reproductions, art books and
exhibition catalogs, and cards that relate to the
museum’s mission, permanent collection, historic
house or special exhibitions.
As tradition, the Lower Adirondack Regional
Arts Council (LARAC) Lapham Gallery, 7 Lapham
Place, transforms its gallery space into the
LARAC Holiday Shop during most of November
and December. It includes local artworks, books,
clothing, textiles, jewelry, prints, note cards and
photography.
The word is spreading about “the business of
art” in downtown Glens Falls. Most recently artist
Rodney Bentley, a native of Warrensburg, returned
to the region after suffering a traumatic brain
injury in May 2011 in Philadelphia, to continue his
physical therapy and recovery with the assistance
of his family.
“I was not an art major, nor did I dabble in art
before my injury,” he said. “Art became my therapy
while I was in recovery.” Bentley draws with charcoal
and graphite – and sometimes hints of pastel
color — and primarily creates Adirondack pieces,
from lakeside landscapes to wintery scenes.
“People connect with my work on different
levels,” he said. “They often see a spiritual connection
when they see a piece … My work strikes
a cord and creates emotion among adults and
children.”
Bentley sees Glens Falls as a “training ground”
in the art world. He said the entire community has
been supportive. After working as a retail district
manager for JC Penney’s and Barnes and Noble
collectively for 25 years, Bentley said he knows
how to market himself and not be in the “starving
artist” category. While business of art is relatively
new to him, he said he has been networking at
coffee shops, restaurants and small galleries to
showcase his work.
Bentley’s drawings are on exhibit at Willow’s
Café at 3749 Main St., Warrensburg in December;
Aimee’s Dinner and A Movie 190 Glen St. in
November; and the Tower, 133 Glen St. in Glens
Falls in December.
Professional photographer Todd Bissonette,
who hails from Lake Placid, landed in Glens
Falls, several months ago. He set up a temporary
studio behind Spot Coffee on Glen Street and is
presently running the promotion 100 for $100,
offering business people the opportunity to “put
their best look forward, because you only get one
chance for a first impression,” Bissonette said. To
launch his promotion he connected with professionals
in small business, nonprofits and with the
Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, to
give them headshots for use on their website and
social media pages.
With the holidays approaching, Bissonette
anticipates an increase in family portrait sittings.
Many people don’t even print their photos
anymore, they just live in their phones or cameras.
“When you look at a formal portrait, there is always
a story to be told,” Bissonette said.
Living in Lake Placid, Bissonette had access
to sporting venues and shot photos of Olympic
athletes for hockey and bobsled world cup
champions. His photos have been published by
the Associated Press, the New York Times, Sports
Illustrated and Sporting News.
One month ago, Rare Earth Wine Bar Owners
Michael Belanger and Paul Parker opened Rare
Earth Art Gallery in the space formerly managed
by Art in the Public Eye, in the Aeon Nexsus
building, 174 Glen St. Ninety-two year old Joseph
C. Parker, Paul’s father, presently has a collection
of his life’s work on exhibit. Parker is sharing the
space with modern artist Will Crow.
Photo by Lisa Balschunat