SARANAC LAKE — The holiday season is rapidly approaching and Saranac Lake ArtWorks is offering a special opportunity: Explore Franklin County.

Visit 10 of our 23 art galleries and studios and earn a discount coupon worth $50 to $150. No purchase is necessary when visiting any of our participating locations. Just pick up a Franklin County Art Challenge card and get it stamped or signed at each location. Mail the card to ArtWorks at P.O. Box 145, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 and your special coupon will be mailed to you.

The coupon will be honored at any of the listed Franklin County art venues and can be used for the purchase of art or for workshop fees or event tickets. However, there are only 10 of these coupons and the first one, for a $250 discount, has already been claimed. The first person to submit a fully stamped/signed card will receive a $150 discount coupon, the next a $100 one, and the remaining seven will all be $50 coupons. There is a limit of one per person/family.

The following locations are all identified in the 2024 ArtWorks brochure, which also provides the addresses and contact information, and the coupons can be used at any of these. There is one requirement — you need to visit at least one location in Malone and one in Tupper Lake. The coupons cannot be redeemed for cash.

¯ In Malone, the Downtown Artist Cellar, (in the building with the goose mural), holds exhibits and has items for sale such as paintings, pottery and jewelry, plus holds classes and workshops.

¯ The Foothills Art Society displays the work of area artists and offers a variety of programming at their Pearl St. location.

¯ The Paul Smith’s College VIC, with gallery displays and a gift shop, is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

¯ In McColloms, painter Stephen Horne welcomes visitors to his private home studio, but please call ahead first and make an appointment.

¯ Between Gabriels and Paul Smiths is the studio of pastel artist Diane Leifheit, who also requests an appointment prior to visiting. Blacksmith David Woodward, Train Brook Forge, is located in Paul Smiths, open by appointment only.

¯ Mark Paul’s Mountain Farm Studio, located in Sugar Bush, offers unique wood carvings of birds, wood spirits, and more. Please call first.

The Saranac Lake area boasts the most locations.

¯ The Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery has been offering fine art by regional artists for 27 years. Mark Kurtz Photography studio is on the second floor above the Artists Guild.

¯ The Adirondack Center for Writing represents the literary arts and offers a variety of programming.

¯ Tim Fortune works in his Main Street studio daily, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and welcomes visitors.

¯ Georgeanne Gaffney’s Eight Academy, next to the Hotel Saranac, is a lifestyle boutique offering fine art, unique clothing items, jewelry and vintage wares.

¯ Adk ArtRise has a broad schedule of classes for kids as well as adults.

¯ BluSeed Studios also offers classes, concerts and exhibits, as well as their “Art Thrift Store” featuring gently used items.

¯ The Coldwell Banker Whitbeck Gallery & Creative Space exhibits local artists.

¯ Historic Saranac Lake features exhibits, displays and programs in the Saranac Laboratory Museum.

¯ Lake Flower Landing offers live music and live figure drawing sessions, open by appointment.

¯ Shane McIntosh art is on display at Bear Stump Antiques.

¯ NorthWind Fine Arts, another co-op gallery on Main Street, also displays work of local artists.

¯ Pendragon Theatre has holiday events scheduled and perhaps season tickets available for 2025.

¯ TrestleStreet provides space and opportunities for musicians and artists. Open by appointment.

¯ Heading to Tupper Lake, there is Tupper Arts, featuring exhibits of regional artists, a gift shop, classes and more.

¯ Gary Casagrain’s Studio is also located outside of Tupper Lake and welcomes visitors by appointment.

Pick up a Franklin County Art Challenge card and the 2024 ArtWorks brochure at the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce or one of these participating locations, and plan your visits, especially if you’d like to take advantage of the discount coupons for the holiday season. The Art Challenge will end on May 31 or whenever the 10 coupons have been claimed.

For questions, contact Lorraine at Saranac Lake ArtWorks at admin@saranaclakeartworks.org or 518-524-1849.