Open Studio: NCPR's monthly arts roundup

This month, Open Studio, NCPR's monthly roundup on the arts, is broadcast live from Traditional Arts in Upstate New York in downtown Canton. Storyteller Fran Yardley tells an autumn tale from the mountains; Piquant plays spicy Latin, bistro, and swing tunes; and we hear poetry from Dale Hobson, create Halloween pumpkin art, and more.

This month on Open Studio, NCPR's monthly roundup on the arts: Hard Pushin' Papa live in the studio with roots and blues music; a preview of upcoming arts events including the Tri-Lakes Area "Artist At Work" Studio Tour, the "Due North From NYC" exhibit at Creative Spirit in Potsdam, and the annual Remington Festival in Canton; and a Mohawk teen talks about her art on display at the Smithsonian.

It's harvest season and artists across the region have been busy in the garden. Painting outdoors, or "plein air", is a time-honored tradition, particularly by artists who want to convey a sense of immediacy. They'll find a spot among flowers or along a stream, prop up an easel and paint just as they see it. Most works are competed within hours on the spot. Spontaneity is key. Bugs, rain and fleeting sunlight are challenges. Todd Moe visits a group of artists near Malone celebrating another season of creating art outdoors.

This month on Open Studio, NCPR's monthly roundup on the arts, musical guests Bruce Lawson and Jen Carter-Kelly of the folk duo Crossing North join host Todd Moe. Also, get outside with "plein air" garden painters from around Malone, NY; hear from Beijing Olympic Park sculptor John Van Alstine; and more.

Our monthly arts round-up Open Studio is on the road, broadcasting live from Keene Central School in Keene Valley, NY. Fiddler John Kirk and guitarist Trish Miller play traditional and original music, Chase Twichell shares poetry and conversation, and more.

Earlier this year, Indian Lake residents banded together to save their historic theater in the middle of town. It’s re-opening this weekend. It could have been just another casualty of the North Country’s declining population and struggling economy. But a summer schedule of movies is planned, and it’s hoped the theater will once again be the center of Indian Lake’s artistic, cultural and community life. Todd Moe spoke with Colleen Doyle, the new director of the theater, as she took a break from some touch-up work on the theater’s stage.

This month on Open Studio, NCPR's monthly arts celebration: in March, residents in Indian Lake banded together to save their historic theater. They're re-opening the venue this weekend. We talk with the theater's new director, and with a Quebec artist who goes to great lengths for just the right stone. David Nichols and Spare Change join us live in the studio for bluegrass music and conversation.

Getting the right material is just one of many challenges in making art. Sometimes that takes more effort than usual! For two years now, Ottawa Correspondent Lucy Martin has found the Inuit Artists' Shop "Arts Alive" event a great way to meet artists from across the Canadian Arctic. The day of courtyard demonstrations lets the public see how the art is made and satisfy curiosity about life and art in the far north. Here's stone carver Mattiusi Iyaituk in a conversation with a visitor from British Columbia, at last April's event.

Michael Czarnecki is a rare animal—a poet who makes a full-time living through his art. From his home base in the Finger Lakes, he spends many days each year on the road, reading his work and conducting workshops. His company, Foothills Publishing, has brought forward the work of countless other poets in more than twenty years of collections and anthologies. He will be in the North Country next week, holding workshops and readings in Canton and Tupper Lake. Dale Hobson talked with him by phone to see how he does it all.

Michael Czarnecki will be at the Canton Free Library on Tuesday. As part of the Brown Bag Luncheon series, he will conduct a Palm of the Hand Memoir Writing Workshop at noon, followed at 7 pm by a reading of his Travel Works poetry and non fiction. On Wednesday at 7 pm, he will be at the Goff-Nelson Library in Tupper Lake for a reading of his travel writing, followed the next day at 7 pm by a Palm of the Hand workshop.

On Open Studio, NCPR's monthly arts program, we focus on life as a full-time artist and making ends meet. We talk with poet and publisher Michael Czarnecki, hear spring haiku from youngsters in Canton, and join singer/songwriter Roy Hurd, live in the studio for music and conversation.