Gallery features work from those of all abilities
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» The Beekman Street Arts District’s newest gallery features work from artists of all abilities.
Living Resources Arts opened in early June at 70 Beekman St. in Saratoga Springs, around the time of the fifth annual Beekman Street Art Fair.
This new gallery is operated by Living Resources, an Albany-based nonprofit that provides care and services to disabled people throughout the Capital Region.
However, Living Resources Arts is a space for everyone. What makes this gallery and studio unique to the organization’s other sites is that it’s open to the public.
“For about 25 years Living Resources has been providing art services,” explained Sergio Camacho, assistant director of the arts program. In the past, the program has offered small group instructional sessions Living Resources students, including children, adults and seniors of varying learning abilities and styles. “It’s really differentiated instruction. It’s targeted to people’s abilities,” Camacho said.
Before the most recent expansion, the Living Resources arts program served about 115 people at its Malta, Albany and Schenectady studios.
Artwork made in this program would then be kept or given as gifts, or sometimes displayed in regional shows and galleries.
“We have a catalog of artwork, lots of strong work from students who have been with us for years and years,” Camacho said.
In past few years, the
art program has seen increased interest in its pieces. “There was kind of an organic demand for it,” Camacho said. “It wasn’t something we promoted or actively sought. It just kind of came to us.”
So, Living Resources invested in a high quality digital printing machine to copy these works both for installations and for sale. This has also been used as part of a pop up gallery where works can be printed for purchase on demand.
Living Resources student artwork is now displayed in homes and offices near and far, creating valued inclusive opportunities for the artists. “Students aren’t just making artwork in isolation,” Camacho said. “They’re getting out into the world. They’re showing their art to not just peers and advocates, but to the broader community.”
As the program continues growing, new opportunities are being presented to all.
At the new Saratoga Springs site, Living Resources now has a space for students and community members alike to create, showcase and sell their artwork.
Through a grant from an anonymous donor, Living Resources offers regular programming and workshops that are open to anyone interested in making art, as well as regular gallery hours during which art-lovers are welcome to come admire or shop for their collections.
“What we’re trying to do here is a little bit different than what’s happening in our other studios,” Camacho said. “This space is about creating really authentic inclusive opportunities for our students.”
The intent is for Living Resources students to work side by side other members of the community, including children, seniors and local residents - anyone that’s interested in making art.
“The whole idea of the classroom is to accommodate lots of different types of abilities and make a safe space,” Camacho said. “The philosophy behind what’s happening in the classroom is that if you have a safe space to experiment and make mistakes, that will lead to successes.” This philosophy applies to anyone, and can also be taken outside of the
classroom, he added. “You don’t have to be afraid to make a mistake.”
Additionally, work displayed in the gallery will be a mixture of art from Living Resources students, community workshop attendees, instructors and local professional artists.
Katie Kelly of Saratoga Springs has been participating in the Living Resources arts program for about a decade. In that time, she’s explored making art with colored pencils, markers, paints and watercolors. “I just love the program,” Kelly said, noting that art is relaxing for her.
Currently Kelly has two pieces on display in the new Living Resources Arts gallery.
“I’m really proud of them and excited about it,” she said, mentioning that if she sells a piece at the gallery, half of the money will go to her and the other half will go to the studio.
Aside from providing opportunities for artists like Kelly, Camacho’s goal for Living Resources Arts is to have the community actively integrated into the space, and to make it a sustainable operation. “I really want it to be a space that’s open to everybody,” he said. “We’d like to try and really build a sense of community.”
So far, the community feedback has been positive, Camacho said, adding that many people have approached him with potential partnerships.
On why the organization Art on display in the new Living Resources Arts gallery at 70 Beekman St. in Saratoga Springs. chose the new Spa City location, Camacho said. “The Beekman Street Arts District is emerging again, and we want to try and be a part of that.”
Living Resources Arts gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with appointments available upon request by calling 518-584-1619.
More information on Living Resources and its arts program is available online at www.livingresources.org/arts_program.
For updates on what’s happening in the new Living Resources Arts gallery and studio on Beekman Street, people can follow the Living Resources Arts Facebook page.
To contact Living Resources Arts call (518) 4325482. Art on display in the new Living Resources Arts gallery at 70 Beekman St. in Saratoga Springs.