City Staff and Public Attend Arts Districts Presentation

Imagine if Auburn was a hub for artists and creative professionals, and the city attracted thousands of tourists who spent millions of dollars every year. Some members of the local arts community believe it can happen, and they are pointing to a small city in Kentucky as their evidence.

Schweinfurth Memorial Arts Center director Donna Lamb, Mack Studio Displays project manager Hilary Ford and Auburn Public Theater director Angela Daddabbo gave two presentations in August at the APT about how they believe establishing an arts district and encouraging artists to relocate to local residences could improve Auburn’s economy.

Throughout the presentations, which took place during and after the weekly city council meeting, the three speakers examined Paducah, KY, which revamped its downtown business district and neighborhoods through the arts.

The city, which has a similar population as Auburn with 27,000 people, boasts millions of dollars in annual tourism revenue thanks to a number of public and private art initiatives, Ford, Lamb and Daddabbo said. And they believe some of those can be successful here.

Ford, who was raised in Paducah, said the city is very similar to Auburn in a lot of ways. “It’s not any bigger. The demographics aren’t different,” she said during the presentation.

Between 2001 and 2007, the city of Paducah invested about $3 million in projects and initiatives related to the arts and saw almost $40 million spent by organizations, visitors and artists in that same stretch. One random property worth $715,000 in the downtown area in 1987 is now worth $4 million.

A number of factors led to the city’s economic success, the speakers said. Paducah hosts a national quilting festival and is home to a major quilting museum. The city and private businesses invested in numerous public art initiatives and beautification projects, including a series of murals on a wall built in the 1930s to prevent flood damage.

The neighborhoods are tied together by an arts district that boasts multiple galleries and performance venues. And an artist recruitment program offered professional artists an opportunity to own homes in one run-down neighborhood practically free of charge in exchange for the artist’s commitment to invest in and fix up the properties.

“In 10 years, five really, I saw the city completely turn around,” Ford said. All three said this sort of thing can happen in Auburn if the city, local businesses, organizations and the residents themselves can all come together and commit to a similar concept.

An arts district can help tie together Auburn’s many cultural and historic sites that already exist, Lamb said. Private and public initiatives can help spur investments, as can changes to city codes and tax incentives, she said. According to the group, this would improve the city’s quality of life.

Lamb said the city listed similar priorities in the 10-year master plan released last year. And the city council is looking to overhaul some of its codes and zoning policies in the coming years.

“We’ve already done a lot,” Lamb said. “But there’s a lot of potential to move this along even further.”

After the council meeting, Mayor Michael Quill said he was impressed with the presentation and the three speakers’ enthusiasm for improving Auburn through the arts.

Quill said he believes it could be possible with a strong commitment from the city, private sponsors, citizens and arts organizations. Though local initiatives would need to reflect the local community, he said. “I feel something similar is very logical and doable,” Quill said.
—The Citizen

THE CENTER

1 Hoffman Street, Suite B

Auburn, NY 13021

(315) 704-0319

www.TheCenter4wellness.com

ZUMBA® at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Wednesdays, Sept. 1 – Oct. 6 – 4:15 – 5:15 pm with instructor Amy Mahunik. Cost $48.00 (for 6 weeks). Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com or call 315.704.0319. Drop-ins are welcome, $10.00 per class. (Note to new students: come on Sept. 1st for free drop in to see if Zumba is for you!)

ZUMBA® at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Wednesdays, Sept. 1 – Oct. 6 – 6:45 – 7:45 pm with instructor Amy Mahunik. Cost $48.00 (for 6 weeks). Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com or call 315.704.0319. Drop-ins are welcome, $10.00 per class. (Note to new students: come on Sept. 1st for free drop in to see if Zumba is for you!)

ZUMBA® at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Thursdays, Sept. 2 – Oct. 7 – 6:00 – 7:00 pm with instructor Christine Bartolotta. Cost $48.00 (for 6 weeks). Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com or call 315.704.0319. Drop-ins are welcome, $10.00 per class.

REIKI SHARE at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn) Wednesday, Sept 8, 7 – 9:30 pm with facilitator and Reiki Master Diane DelPiano. This is an opportunity for practitioners of Reiki to get together and practice their skills. Call 315.704.0319 to reserve your place. Suggested donation: $10.

THE HEALING ART OF JOURNAL WRITING at The Center, (1 Hoffman St., Auburn) Saturdays, Sept. 11 – Oct. 23, 9:00 – 10:30 am with facilitator Beth Miller. Cost: $60. (Class will not meet on Oct. 9th). Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com or call 315.704.0319.

REIKI CERTIFICATION LEVEL II at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Saturday, Sept. 11, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm with Reiki Master Jennifer Adamski. Cost: $125 includes all materials. Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing technique that is used for stress reduction, relaxation and healing. This class is a combination of lecture, discussion and practice. Pre-registration and certification in Reiki Level I are required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

PHOTOGRAPHY OPENING EXHIBIT FEATURING THE WORK OF MARY PAYNE McCARTHY at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn) Sunday, Sept. 12, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. This exhibit will be on display at The Center through Sept. 30.

GENTLE YOGA at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn) with instructor Georgia Stormes, RYT 500 – Mondays – Sept. 13 – Oct. 4, 4:30 – 6:00 pm (four 1.5 hour sessions). Cost: $50. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

CHI YOGA NOSIS at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Tuesdays, Sept. 14 – Oct. 12, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, with instructor Connie Heagerty. (Combines T’ai Chi, Hatha Yoga and Guided Meditation.) Cost: $60. (Five 1 hour sessions) Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319. Drop-ins are welcome, $15.00 per class.

HYPNOSIS FOR WEIGHT LOSS/EXERCISE MOTIVATION at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm with facilitator Connie Heagerty, CHT. Cost: $45.00. This workshop will include a group weight loss/exercise motivation hypnosis session, lessons on how to use self-hypnosis and a CD for home use. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

GENTLE YOGA FOR FIFTIES PLUS at The Center (1 Hoffman St.) with instructor Georgia Stormes, RYT 500: Wednesdays, Sept. 15 – Oct. 6th, 1:30 -3:00 pm (four 1.5 hour sessions). Cost: $50. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

DRUMMING CIRCLE WITH RON VAN NOSTRAND at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Wednesday, Sept. 15, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Ron leads drumming circles at The Center each month. Please call 315.704.0319 to reserve your place. Suggested donation: $10.

SELF HYPNOSIS WORKSHOP at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Monday, Sept. 20, 6:00 – 7:30 pm with instructor Connie Heagerty, CHT. Cost: 40.00. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

CORE STABILITY PHYSIO BALL CLASSES at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn) with instructor Dr. Danielle Ryan, Chiropractor: Wednesdays, Sept. 22 – Oct. 27, 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Cost: $72.00 for 6 week series. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319. We honor drop-ins. Drop in fee is $15.00 per class.

WINE AND WELLNESS at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Friday, Sept. 24, 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening with the theme “Viva La France!” Includes choice wine tasting and gourmet delights sponsored by Swifty’s, and choice of 3 mini-services. Cost: $50. Reservations are required. Call 315.704.0319 for more information.

REIKI CERTIFICATION LEVEL III at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm with Reiki Master Jennifer Adamski. Cost: $350 includes all materials. Reiki Level III is a Master/Teacher Level class. The class is a combination of lecture, discussion and practice. Pre-registration and certification in Reiki Level I and II are required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

GROUP HYPNOSIS FOR SMOKING CESSATION at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), with facilitator Connie Heagerty, CHT, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. This workshop will explain what hypnosis is, how it works and how you can use it to stop smoking. Cost: $45 includes CD for home use. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

STRESS REDUCTION WORKSHOP at The Center (1 Hoffman St., Auburn), Monday, Oct. 4, 6:00 – 7:30 pm with instructor Connie Heagerty, CHT. Cost: 45.00. Pre-registration is required. Online registration available at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com, or call 315.704.0319.

Fun Fact about Syracuse & Onondaga County …. did you know …..

… that the Great New York State Fair started in Syracuse. New York’s very first fair (September 29-30, 1841) was located in a square bounded today by North Salina, Division, Townsend & Ash Streets with the old Onondaga County Court House serving as an exhibit hall. It was deemed a tremendous success & attracted between 10,000 & 15,000 spectators many traveling by railroad. The NYS Legislature budgeted $8,000 for the “promotion of agriculture & household manufactures in the state” through the annual fair.

emita

Forget to Take a Vacation? Couldn’t Get Away?
Try an Erie Canal or Skaneateles Lake Cruise

Fall may be fast approaching, but there’s still time to enjoy the water.

Mid-Lakes Navigation has a variety of late-summer and early fall cruises to suit every taste and budget.

“This time of year is one of the most beautiful out on the water,” says Sarah Wiles, a co-owner of Mid-Lakes Navigation. “The mood is different. The pace is slower. The golden days and crisp nights—and the time to be adventurous and explore—make for an unforgettable experience.”

Among the upcoming cruises offered by Mid-Lakes Navigation are:

• Syracuse to Buffalo, Sept. 1-3, Sept. 16-18 and Oct. 1-3. Buffalo to Syracuse, Sept. 4-6 and Sept. 19-21. Follows the route of Clinton’s Ditch through farmlands and villages, aboard the Emita II. $659 per person (double occupancy) includes meals, overnight accommodations, return transportation and tax.

• Glen Haven Excursion, Sept. 5. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. aboard the Judge Ben Wiles, departing from the Skaneateles dock and continuing to the south end of Skaneateles Lake. $50 adults/$38 children includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet.

• Syracuse to Amsterdam, Sept. 10-11. Amsterdam to Syracuse, Sept. 12-13. Follows Oneida Lake and the Mohawk River, aboard the Emita II. $394 per person (double occupancy) includes meals, overnight accommodations, return transportation and tax.

• Full Moon Cruise on Skaneateles Lake, Sept. 23. 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. aboard the Judge Ben Wiles, with “moon music” and romance in the air. $12 per person.

• Syracuse to Seneca Falls, Sept. 24. All-day cruise on the Emita II, featuring a visit to the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry and/or the National Women’s Rights Hall of Fame. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., departing from Dutchman’s Landing. $95 per person includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch and return transportation.

• Seneca Falls to Oswego, Sept. 25-26. Two-day cruise aboard the Emita II, traveling along the Cayuga-Seneca, Erie and Oswego canals. $394 per person (double occupancy) includes meals, overnight accommodations, return transportation and tax.

• Oswego to Syracuse, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All-day cruise on the Emita II, featuring a visit to the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, on Lake Ontario. $95 per person includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch and return transportation.

• Buffalo to Rochester, Oct. 4-5. Two-day cruise aboard the Emita II. $394 per person (double occupancy) includes meals, overnight accommodations, return transportation and tax.

Sightseeing, dinner, take-out and brunch cruises continue on Skaneateles Lake through Oct. 2. Beginning Sept. 1, sightseeing cruises will leave at 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 2 and 3 p.m. Sundays; Dinosaur Bar-B-Que dinner cruises, at 5 p.m. Tuesdays; dinner cruises, at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; and brunch cruises, at noon Sundays.

U.S. Mailboat cruises, which run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday, end Sept. 7.

Reservations are suggested for most cruises. For more information, call 315-685-8500 or go to http://www.midlakesnav.com.

Joyce Backus

Exhibition by Joyce Bond Backus Opens at Imagine That… Gallery Sept. 3

Imagine That…, the fine arts and fine craft gallery at 38 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, will feature new figurative artwork by Joyce Bond Backus throughout September.

The show opens Sept. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m., as part of the village’s First Friday art night. The longtime Skaneateles-area artist—known for her nature, figurative and whimsical paintings—will be in attendance and available to discuss her work. Refreshments and musical entertainment will be provided.

“My recent figure-drawing series combines the tradition of life observation drawing and experimental digital techniques,” says Backus. “I combine multiple hand-drawn images with my digital imagery, handmade paper, hand-written letters and found artifacts. These pieces reflect urban settings, architectural and natural environments.

“Each image created from my life figure drawings becomes a unique work in a series of related themes,” she explains. “My digital techniques have become drawing tools as much as my paintbrush or charcoal stick. I work to create an emotional connection to the art image. I enjoy the psychological element that happens between artist, life model and drawing surface.”

Backus’ jewelry designs are also shown at Imagine That…

Backus works from her home studio in Marietta, where she says she is inspired by “our beautiful area landscapes and my English gardens.”

She earned master’s degrees in illustration and environmental design at Syracuse University and teaches fashion design at SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Her art can be viewed at www.joycebackus.com.

Imagine That… is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call the gallery at 685-6264.