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3rd annual event to engage the community with creative and performing arts
(SCHENECTADY, NY – May 27, 2021) – The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) is joining with local partner organizations to build public awareness of and engagement in the wealth of arts & cultural activities in and around Downtown Schenectady. The 3rd Annual Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek takes place Saturday, June 5 to Saturday, June 12, 2021 and is highlighted by a wide diversity of community arts events and activities.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with our amazing local artists and art venues to make the 3rd Annual Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek the best one yet,” said Amy Sonder, DSIC Promotions Coordinator. “From writing, poetry, live music and dancing to painting, filmmaking, art galleries and much more, there is something for everyone during ArtsWeek. We look forward to welcoming the community to come out and discover their artistic passions while exploring Downtown Schenectady.”
A variety of signature events will take place throughout Schenectady ArtsWeek, including a community paint day on the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail with CREATE Community Studios on Saturday, June 5 from Noon-4 p.m. Guests are invited to help paint a mural with themes of community and togetherness designed by local artist Bella Burnett, and also to paint plastic signs that will be displayed along the bike trail this summer as part of “Color the Canal.”
“CREATE Community Studios is excited to participate in Downtown Schenectady’s 3rd Annual ArtsWeek,” said Heather Hutchison, the art organization’s executive director. “This year, we are looking forward to presenting a new mural project on the Schenectady section of the bike trail in collaboration with Friends of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. The mural is part of our CREATE Together series begun last fall as a way for community members to come together outside to make art.”
The first day of ArtsWeek will also feature a virtual version of the popular Schenectady Kids Arts Festival, beginning at 10 a.m.
“Since it’s too soon to have more than 3,000 kids and their families coming to Downtown Schenectady for the 27th annual Kids Arts Festival, ArtsWeek is the next best thing,” said Betsy Sandberg, a community arts volunteer who urged kids of all ages to come to the community kickoff on June 5. “I hope everyone will also join us during the Schenectady Greenmarket on Sunday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which we will offer hands-on art activities while the crowd gets to listen to student musicians from the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s CHIME program.”
Sandberg added, “Thanks to DSIC, there are high-quality art experiences every day of the week. We are thrilled to be part of what makes Schenectady so special.”
Other highlights during Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek include:
- The Schenectady Pride Festival on Saturday, June 5 from 3-6 p.m.
- The Open Door Bookstore highlighting local authors all week long.
- The Schenectady Trading Company hosting “Around These Parts,” a short film screening with submissions from local directors, on Monday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m.
- The 2021 season kick-off of the Jazz on Jay Concert Series with Azzaam Hameed & Friends on Thursday, June 10 from Noon-1:30 p.m.
- Extended business hours and live music on the Jay Street Marketplace on Thursday, June 10.
- Virtual arts classes, gallery shows, storytelling workshops, and much more.
For a detailed listing of ArtsWeek activities, visit downtownschenectady.org or the Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek Facebook event page.
Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek is presented by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp., Kids Arts Festival, CREATE Community Studios, Electric City Barn, and Union College.
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.