The Beekman Street Arts District is home to a new art gallery, The Cottage of Art & Design, at 73 Beekman St., a collective that showcases the work of six local creatives and features jewelry, fiber art, pottery, art quilts, tiles, mosaics, and paintings.
A wide array of working artists and restaurateurs call the three-block stretch on the west side of Saratoga Springs home.
Financed by grants secured by preservation minded proponents the Arts District went from vision to reality over 20 years ago.
The Cottage artists are Amejo Amyot, creator of spiritually motivated clay work and paintings; Meg Dalton, maker of detailed art quilts and wearables; Meryl Davis of Black Bird designs, designer and crafter of enamel jewelry and mosaics; Nancy Niefeld of Two Spruce Pottery, creator of finely crafted sculpture and pottery; Susan Rivers of Greentree Fiber Arts, practitioner of Quilted Alchemy, blending technology and tradition; and Don Shore of Lesperance Tiles, maker of artisanal tilework for installations and stand-alone art pieces.
The Beekman Street Arts District is guided by the nonprofit organization Saratoga Springs Arts District, Inc. (SSADI) and sponsors the annual Beekman Street Art Fair held in June, Friday night pop-up art events during the warmer months, and Frostbite Friday in the winter.
SSADI, with the help of Discover Saratoga and grants from Saratoga Arts, works to preserve and promote the Saratoga Springs Arts District.
For details and event and class information, visit www.CottageArtDesign.com or write info@CottageArtDesign.com.
The Beekman Street Arts District runs from Grand Avenue to West Circular Street. After years of ups and downs, the Arts District continues to evolve with new galleries and shops joining the established businesses and restaurants on the street.
A four-block walk from Broadway on Washington Street, the neighborhood offers galleries and working studios open to the public, including the Textile Studio, where people can see handwoven textiles on the looms.
At Eden Compton Gallery there is fine art. There is also the Stoor Roots Shop, The Vintage Shop, Plum and Crimson Fine Interior Design, Living Resources Gallery, CREATE Community Studios, Grateful Threads, and the Dark Gem Shoppe that are all within a three-block stroll.
Dining is available at Taverna Novo, Kraverie, The Local, and The Barrell House.
Hours for shops on Beekman vary by location, but most are open 11a.m. until 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
For more information or to sign up for the Arts District’s seasonal newsletters, visit www.ArtsonBeekman.org.