Saratoga County

BELINDA COLON’S IMMERSIVE WORLD OF ART AND COMMUNITY

August 26, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

I met Belinda Colón several years ago through founding Executive Director of ACE!, Maureen Sager. Belinda was working with her at Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga Springs where she has now taken over the reins. Since then, we have crossed paths in many places including in Troy at the Arts Center of the Capital Region where where we both individually do freelance project work and The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls where she is a Trustee. She has to many irons in the fire in our region not to give her the talking stick for a spell and so…here we go!

Belinda Colón : Gallery Director and Freelance Curator of Exhibitions and Public Art | Image: Provided

Please state your name, title(s), and organization(s).

My name is Belinda Colón and currently I wear several hats. These vary between regular gigs and more project based freelance work. Currently I am involved as a Freelance Curator of Exhibitions and Public Art, Director and Curator at Spring Street Gallery. Owner and Founder at The Art Sheet, a Trustee at The Hyde Collection, a Member of the Saratoga Arts Commission and soon to be Owner at a Private Gallery in Troy.

Awakening Spring Exhibit at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga Springs New York | Image: Provided

Can you also tell us a bit about your history, including education, other jobs of note, and other special accolades?

I started my education at CUNY Hunter College with a focus on Theology and History. Being exposed in NYC to all its cultural resources and accessibility, my historical and religious research opened my eyes to the History of Art and its connection to the humanities. I continued my path to the arts at CUNY Queens College with a major in Art History. After moving North to Saratoga Springs, I landed a job at Palio Communications, a medical advertising firm, as administrative support, then as a project manager. Working with multiple types of artists at the firm, I was saddened to see so much amazing art being torn apart by clients. Becoming more aware of the exceptional talent at the firm, I decided that I needed to support artists like those at the firm who needed to be seen for how talented they are, outside of their day jobs, leading me to go back to school and finalize my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Gallery Management at Hudson Vallery Community College. I then enrolled in Empire State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Art History.

During my time in academia, I was given an opportunity at Spring Street Gallery to organize and install an art exhibition raising funds for the East Side Recreational Skatepark in Saratoga Springs, NY. The funds raised were to resurface the skatepark. After a very successful event, I was given the opportunity to be the Exhibitions Manager at Spring Street. After 13 years, I am still working at Spring Street Gallery, NO longer the Exhibitions Coordinator, now the Director and Curator.

Artist Royal Brown and Curator Belinda Colón : The Evidence of Things Unseen Exhibit
at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga | Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit more about the Spring Street Gallery…your mission there and what you are doing to integrate into the community?

Spring Street Gallery was founded 31 years ago in 1994. Today, Spring Street Gallery is an award-winning not-for-profit art and performance space.

The Gallery’s mission is dedicated to providing exhibition and performance opportunities for local and regional artists. It fosters the arts as a vital resource for social engagement and educational connectivity.

Currently, the gallery has partnered with Collar Works in Troy to facilitate a program developed by The Arts Sheet called Immersion. Immersion is a professional visual artist development program. It’s designed to provide emerging and mid-career visual artists with professional opportunities for open dialogue and critical conversations with peers, regional curators, and gallery owners.

The combination of critiques, gallery/residency visits, and professional development enhances learning. Critiques focus on individual improvement, while group experiences and professional development provide exposure, contextual understanding, and valuable tools. Together, they create a comprehensive framework for artistic growth.

Catching Air at the ON DECK Skate Park in Saratoga Springs New York | Image: Provided

Another Saratoga based project I know you have been involved with was the Saratoga Skate Park. Care to share a bit about that one?

ON Deck Saratoga was a project of the Saratoga Institute, a vehicle for promoting skateboarding, skatepark stewardship, and creativity through community-based events. My husband and I started this project with the intention of bringing more attention to and understanding of the culture of skateboarding, a non-conforming recreational sport. We’ve organized a multitude of programs, including yearly skate jams, free films in High Rock Park, exhibitions and fundraisers in Saratoga Springs and Lake George, NY, skateboarding lessons and camps, and more.

Historical Backround info:

Built in 1989, the East Side Recreation (Rec) skatepark is the oldest municipal skatepark in New York State. In conjunction with Jah Skate Shop, which was located at 8 Caroline Street from 1988 until 1993, the skatepark used to host many team demos, spawned a few professional skaters, and in the mid-90’s was an official stop for Vans Warped Tour skate contest qualifications. The skatepark is a highly respected piece of East Coast skate history, and its popularity has grown along with the popularity of skateboarding and other wheeled sports.

As its use grew, the skate park was due for a contemporary upgrade, and now a modern, poured-in-place concrete park has replaced the metal ramps that have been there for 20 years. The City of Saratoga Springs & Saratoga Springs DPW has proudly partnered with Pillar Skateparks to design the new park, in conjunction with feedback from the local skate community.

Construction needs for the park were in the range of $400,000, and donations were accepted through ON DECK Saratoga.

2021 FENCE Membership Show at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy New York
Image: Provided

I recently realized you are the brains behind the The Art Sheet event listing. Can you talk a bit about the history of this? What are the geographic boundaries? I have seen some pretty far flung listings!

The Art Sheet has been a passion of mine for over 7 years. After being very frustrated that there was a lack of press regarding art and cultural events in the Capital Region and Upper Hudson Valley. There was never any place to go to find out what was going on on any given day. It was frustrating, so I decided to create a website to promote local and regional arts events. It has been a labor of love. The Art Sheet is a free resource for arts administrators, organizations, and artists. The website provides a calendar of events, a space for artist grants and resources, calls for art and residencies, artist professional development programs, and job opportunities (Provided by ACE!). The Art Sheet is also available on Instagram at @theartsheet.

In Ply Exhibit and Interactive Skate Environment at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, Jane Altes Gallery
Image: Provided

For a while you were working at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, and I see you are still involved in some public-facing projects. Can you give us an update about your Troy-based activities?

Currently, I am a Freelance Contractor for the Arts Center of the Capital Region as their Public Art Curator. Some of the public art projects that I have curated or project managed include: Franklin Alley sculptural murals by Joe Iurato, Troy Art Block, Troy Electrical Boxes, Troy Glow, Uniting Line, and From Troy to Troy. There is an upcoming large-scale mural being implemented this fall. Look out for more information provided by the Capital Region Arts Center.

Joe Iurato and Belinda Colón Hang Out in Franklin Alley, Troy New York | Image: Provided

As a person working across municipalities, I am curious to know what your thoughts are about the current state of the arts in our region. What should we be focused on?

The arts in our region seem to be segmented. I would love to see more collaboration between organizations, administrations, and artists. Networking events focused on sharing opportunities and events would be fantastic. Funding is always a challenge as well, since there are a lot of arts and cultural institutions, but not a large enough regional funding pool. This can make artists’ grant opportunities slim.

Troy Art Block Team : Church Street Alley in Troy New York | Image: Steve Alverez

Troy Art Block Opening Event : Church Street Alley in Troy New York | Image: Belinda Colon

Shamless Plug: Anything coming up you would like to share that we should have on our radar? There is a whisper of a private gallery opening in Troy in the future. Keep your eye out for Willow Gallery.

WEB: Spring Street Gallery | IG: @springstreetgallerysaratoga
LINKED IN: Belinda Colón

The Pedigreed Couple Bringing World Class Performance and Education to Saratoga Springs, New York

July 8, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

My good friends over at Saratoga Arts were kind enough to provide tickets to the Sunday (06.15) performance of the Mostly Modern Festival at the Arthur Zankel Music Center on the Skidmore Campus, so I decided to drop by and check it out. In the past I have worked on projects with the Albany Symphony, Musicians of Malwyck and the Friends of Chamber Music to name a few so I have had a reasonable exposure to quality classical performance work. That said, I was not prepared for the resplendent beauty that I was privy to that day! The highlight being the world premier of Journey of a Dragonfly by Composer and MMF Co-Director Robert Paterson. It was a tour de force that felt like I had witnessed a new and unfamiliar format that left me hungry for more. (That and a great after party at the Surrey Williamson Inn!) I caught up with Victoria and Robert to better understand their organization and to ask how they are able to make this ambitious level of annual programming possible, with its attendant challenges, not only in Saratoga but with a sister festival in the Netherlands as well.

Robert and Victoria Paterson : Founders and Co-Directors at Mostly Modern Festival | Image: Lisa Marie Mazzucco — Robert and Victoria Paterson : Founders and Co-Directors at Mostly Modern Festival
Image: Lisa Marie Mazzucco

Please state your individual name(s), titles and give me a little bit about your background.

Victoria Paterson, General Director, Violinist and Co-Founder of Mostly Modern Projects. I am a violinist who is equally comfortable with classical, pop, and the healing arts. I have performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall, Birdland, and Madison Square Garden to Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Today Show. I am the General Director of Mostly Modern Projects where I hire musicians year-round, delivering vital programs to the community via senior centers, hospitals, and Alzheimer’s patients, as well as ‘rush hour’ & ‘lunchtime’ programs in public spaces and parks all over New York State. I lead the ever-popular FAB5 with a great line-up of live shows. My career spans a 20-years on Broadway, including full-time 1st violin positions for Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady, The Palace Theater’s Sunset Boulevard and West Side Story, Lunt-Fontanne’s The Addams Family, and Off-Broadway : Heathers and The Thing about Men. I love collaborating with my husband and award-winning American composer, Robert Paterson. We celebrate his music with life-long projects, including the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs, New York as well as the European edition, Mostly Modern The Netherlands.

Robert Paterson, Artistic Director, Composer and Co-Founder of Mostly Modern Projects. As an American composer, I strive to embody the diversity and breadth of New York State. Born in Buffalo, NY, I spent over a decade in Rochester and Ithaca, more than twenty years in New York City, and now live in Saratoga Springs, near the Adirondacks. My goal is to create colorful music that embraces everything from the environment to goddesses, online dating to mathematics. I had the privilege of being named Composer of The Year by the Classical Recording Foundation at Carnegie Hall. I was the winner of the Alfred I. DuPont Award, and my opera Three Way won the Grammy® under Best Classical Producer of the Year. I am honored to often get recognized as Best of the Year pick on National Public Radio where my orchestral tone poems, Dark Mountains and Triple Concerto, regularly air on NPR’s Performance Today. Three Way premiered with the Nashville Opera, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and across the United States. The Oratorio Society of New York, Minnesota Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Albany Pro Musica, Albany Symphony Dogs of Desire, Musica Sacra, Austin Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and ensembles worldwide also perform my music. I am a lifelong vegan and an advocate for animals and the environment, celebrating the natural world with seminal works such as Triple Concerto, A New Eaarth, Listen, and I Go Among Trees.

Mostly Modern Ensemble | Image: Lindsey Fish

Can you share the history of the project? What was the genesis of the Mostly Modern Music Festival? How about the mission? Is this an annual event based at the Zankel only?

ROBERT: From the outset, our goal has been to continually reassess the world of classical music, to reinvent it as a vibrant art form for the 21st century and beyond. Mostly Modern Projects (MMP) is dedicated to shining a spotlight on music by (mostly) living composers. We founded MMP in 2005, initially as a new music ensemble in New York City, with the critically acclaimed American Modern Ensemble (AME). AME’s mission is to “turn classical music programming on its head,” programming mostly and usually entirely by living composers. To this day, AME showcases and celebrates living composers, featuring world premieres in engaging and fun-filled concerts. Around the same time, we launched Lumiere Records, a classical label featuring string quartet music with broad market appeal, and then American Modern Recordings, a house boutique label focusing on music by living composers.

Mostly Modern Festival | Image: Provided

In 2018, Mostly Modern Festival (MMF) was founded in Saratoga Springs, New York. Each June, it takes place on the campus of Skidmore College at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Quickly becoming the “Aspen of the East“, MMF hosts the MMF Institute, an educational experience for 200 instrumentalists, singers, composers, and conductors. Each year, people from all over the world descend on Saratoga Springs for the unique MMF experience. MMF’s international reputation began in 2021 when MMF The Netherlands was launched. MMF NL is held every April in historic Holland in Middelburg, Zeeland.

Mostly Modern Festival 2023 in the Netherlands | Image: Provided

Putting on a multiday, symphonic classical festival is a challenging endeavor on many fronts. How are you paying the bills? Is this mostly grant funded?

VICTORIA: The Mostly Modern Festival was founded in 2018 in Saratoga Springs, NY and takes place at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. It is an expensive endeavor indeed- I had an audience member say at the last MM Orchestra concert that she saw about $1,000,000 on that stage: 80 world class musicians, their instruments, especially the Steinways, the harp, all those precious violins and stringed instruments which can run about $10,000- $100,000 +, all the winds and the brass, all the percussion instruments. We pay top conductor fees and principal fees in our field to lead the orchestra with side-by-side learning with students who are all in their 20’s on average. It is a magnificent site and sound to behold, and yes, it is expensive. The hall and facilities at Skidmore College are world-class and top-of-the line in acoustics, sound and overall aesthetics and beauty. The price tag to rent the Arthur Zankel Music Center for 3 weeks is expensive. As of 2025, Mostly Modern is not affiliated with Skidmore. Mostly Modern is not presented by Skidmore College: it is a straight rental agreement, just as the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra rent their facilities for the summer for housing, meals etc.

We pay the bills with tuition income, generous patrons, our board, local and national partners, as well as private foundations and public grants. Historically we receive funding from the NEA and NYSCA. Mostly Modern did not get those two grants in the 2025 current cycle. This was a loss of about $75,000. 2025 also brought on students who had far less money to cover tuition, so Mostly Modern awarded more tuition-free scholarships than ever before. Our goal is to have an endowed student education fund to ensure tuition-free scholarships for our 110 students (based on need, as well as merit) which will also help ensure 40 faculty salaries every summer. Student education fund goal: $2,000,000 by 2027.

Good news in 2025: local support really stepped in and shout out to local partners: Adirondack Trust Company, Stewart’s-Dake Foundation and Phinney Design Group.

Good news in 2025: We have a new collaboration with Yaddo. Mostly Modern performs and celebrates one Yaddo composer every summer, culminating with a performance at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Big thanks to President of Yaddo, Elaina Richardson!

Mostly Modern Festival 2025 Audience | Image: Provided

I was excited to be there for the debut of your piece JOURNEY OF A DRAGONFLY and was really excited about the format and the story-based narrative style. Can you tell us more about this piece…the process, how long where you working on this one? What was your motivation? What was it like to hear that performed in front of an audience for the first time?

ROBERT: I first started conceiving, outlining, and composing Journey of a Dragonfly twenty years ago, while I was in-residence at Aaron Copland‘s house. (Each season, the Copland House offers residencies at his house for a few select composers from around the world.) Knowing that I didn’t have a premiere lined up, or even the right orchestra conductor, I put that piece aside, and worked on a handful of commissions I had at the time. The conductor I wanted for the premiere of this piece was JoAnn Falletta. Since I love her conducting, and aspects of the piece are inspired by an area near Niagara Falls near Buffalo, I felt like I really needed to wait until I had a chance to work with her in order to finish the piece. Fast-forward twenty years later, we now have JoAnn as a guest conductor at Mostly Modern Festival, and I felt the time was right to complete this work. This piece is dedicated to JoAnn and MMF’s fifth season, and to the Mostly Modern Orchestra in-residence at MMF.

The format of the work is highly-programmatic, meaning, it has a story and a narrative ‘program‘ woven throughout the work, about a dragonfly that explores the world above, finds a portal to hell, sneaks into the Devil family’s house, is captured by the Devil child, and finally escapes back to the world above. The story is so descriptive that we decided to show each scene as super-titles above the stage so the audience could follow along. Although the piece is meant as a concert piece, it is also designed to be animated, so kind of the reverse process to how it’s usually done in the world of film. Usually, a film comes first, and the music is added at the end. With this piece, the music already exists, so the animation can be designed around the music. It took me one month to complete the first ten minutes at the Copland House, and another two to three months to complete the remaining twenty-five minutes.

Hearing this work for the first time was certainly cathartic! I feel like I’ve literally waited twenty years to hear it realized for the first time. It was definitely a little scary: with a piece that large, you want to make sure the audience is captivated the entire time, and fortunately, I received a lot of wonderful comments after the premiere, so I think I succeeded!

Mostly Modern Orchestra with Andrew Crust | Image: Provided

I noticed that your web address is MOSTLYMODERNPROJECTS…what else do you have going on we should know about?

VICTORIA: Mostly Modern Projects is a 501c3 non-profit music organization that runs and brings music to everyone year round. This summer brings more community and parks concerts than ever: here is our lineup

Special shout out…3 Yaddo events entitled Wine & Roses featuring Mostly Modern’s FAB5, July 17, July 31 and August 14.

Left to Right: *Victoria, Corey, Danielle and Amara yuck it up at the 2025 Mostly Modern Festival*
*after party at the Surrey Williamson Inn in Saratoga Springs. |* Image: Provided

Extra Credit: Anything else you would like to share or plug while you have the talking stick?

VICTORIA: Seeking new board members for Mostly Modern Projects who live in Saratoga Springs and/or the upstate New York region – the lift is light and the benefits are robust!

Mostly Modern delivers vital and incredible music through concerts, festivals, outreach and community engagement all year round. Help us continue to provide this valuable platform for an ecosystem of classical performance artists, students and those who love the craft!

WEB: mostlymodernfestival.org | IG: @mostlymodernfestival | FB: @facebook

Meg Mosca : Fashion Forward Design and Alterations in Saratoga Springs, New York

March 20, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

I recently reached out to Meg Mosca about helping out with a project ACE! is participating in this month with the NYS Art Teachers Association. I had worked with her back in 2017 where she participated in a fashion event that I did at the NYS Museum for Electric City Couture called IDENTITY. I was pleasantly surprised to find that she has grown and is now a fashion related entrepreneur working out of Saratoga Springs. Indie / custom fashion is a tough go. This is such a feel good and practical creative economy story, I just had to share. Additionally, who doesn’t need a good seamstress from time to time?!

Meg and Kevin Mosca : Owners at Mosca Alterations in Saratoga Springs, New York | Photo: Alexandra Eigo

Please state your name and title. Can you tell us a little about your educational / experiential background also?

My name is Megan Mosca, and I’m a fashion designer and small business owner. I completed my studies at Hudson Valley Community College before going on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. My education and experiences have shaped my approach to both the creative and practical sides of the fashion industry, allowing me to blend my passion for design with the skills necessary to run a business.

Starting at an existing business, WillFitUin in 2017, I eventually bought the business in August 2021.

2017 Electric City Couture IDENTITY Promo Shoot | Designer: Meg Kluball Mosca
Photo: (L) Doug Mitchell (R) Sarah Pezdek

What drew you to fashion and clothes making?

From a young age, I realized that clothing is like a second skin—it’s something I can choose for myself. It’s amazing how clothes can shift depending on your mood, how you want to present yourself to the world, or even how many times you want to change in a day. This realization sparked my interest in fashion. I quickly became fascinated by the power that clothing holds and how it can shape not just our appearance but how we feel and are perceived.

Mosca Alterations in Saratoga Springs, New York : Detail Work in Progress | Photo: Provided

Tell us more about your shop? Can you explain the types of work you do on a regular basis?

My husband and I own Mosca Alterations in Saratoga Springs, NY, where we specialize in women’s formal wear alterations, with a particular focus on wedding gowns. In addition to alterations, we also offer custom dresses, and we’re expanding into that market more and more. It’s really exciting to work on pieces that have such personal significance, and being a part of making someone’s day even more special is always incredibly rewarding.

Mosca Custom Wedding Dress Design | Photo: Michelle Lang

Are you still experimenting with producing original lines?

Yes, I’m currently working on developing a line of wedding veils called Opaline. I’m also focused on growing our custom gown offerings. One of the most rewarding parts of my work has been creating custom dresses for clients using vintage pieces, particularly wedding gowns from their families. Reworking these gowns—restoring them and giving them new life—has been such a joy, especially when you get to work with something so sentimental and meaningful.

Mosca Bespoke Garment Crafted From Heirloom Piece | Photo: Nicole Perfetuo

Running a business is a lot of work and a very different headspace from the creative. Can you tell us how you balance it? Also, anything you could share on the economics side of things? Any practical recommendations for fellow designers?

Balancing the creative and business sides is definitely a challenge. As a perfectionist, I often find it hard to let go of control, but being a business owner has forced me to rely on the strengths of my team. It’s an ongoing challenge to take my hands off certain tasks, but the growth that comes from collaboration has been invaluable.

In terms of practical advice, I try to keep a clear separation between work and life by setting boundaries. I “punch in” and track my hours to make sure I’m being as productive as possible during work hours. It’s also important to set times when I have to leave the studio. As someone whose brain never seems to turn off, I find it essential to create those boundaries to prevent burnout.

Mosca Opaline Veil | Photo: Amanda Irvine

EXTRA CREDIT: Anything you have coming up you would like to plug or that we should know about?

Yes! We’ve recently launched a collection of veils that are available via Etsy, and we’ll soon be adding them to our website as well. Be sure to check them out! It’s an exciting new venture, and I can’t wait for people to see the pieces we’ve been working on.

WEB: moscaalterations.com | IG: @moscaalterations

METROLAND (NOW) : Revival of a Capital Region Institution

October 9, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Like the glory days of First Friday, METROLAND played such an important part in the creative discovery of what the Capital Region had to offer. Every week I remember picking up a copy (Usually at Tess’s Lark Tavern) and scanning through it to plan my weekend activities. While there are some other sources of arts and cultural listings in the region where you can find out things that are happening and get good interviews and background (Radio Radio X and Nippertown) METROLAND was always a gold standard for finding out where and what was happening from the above to underground scenes. Musician / Comedian Erin Harkes is looking to bring back that energy and has secured the brand for a new rendition as retooled as METROLAND NOW. The question is, what will she do with it?

Erin Harkes : Musician, Comedian and Publisher at METROLAND NOW | Photo: Kiki Vassilakis

Could you state your name, title and background?

Erin Harkes. Multi-hyphenate 😉 Musician, Comedian, and now publisher!

As an entertainer who has spent over two decades in the capital region, navigating every twist and turn the industry has presented, continuously adapting and reinventing myself along the way. The constant throughout this journey has been the significance of marketing. While the methods of marketing may evolve, the essential need for it remains unchanged.

Many people often ask why I haven’t relocated to a larger city. It’s a complex question. Perhaps it stems from a sense of contentment or, by some accounts, complacency. It’s undeniable that bigger cities offer opportunities that may not be available here, yet I have consistently found ways to create my own paths. Instead of commuting to places like Boston or NYC every time I want to showcase my comedy, I decided to take matters into my own hands by producing shows specifically to provide myself with performance opportunities. I’ve approached music in a similar fashion, and now, I’m venturing into publishing as well with METROLAND NOW.

Historic METROLAND Covers | Photo(s): Facebook

To many of us who have been around the region for a while, METROLAND was a gold standard for the arts and cultural sector (and activism). I was so disappointed to see it go. What made you decide that now was the time to revive that and how were you able to pull that off? What geographic area will you be covering? Topically, what will be the content focus of the publication?

I felt there was a void / vacuum in the area. There are definitely other publications but some are just not an option for me as a performer. I had always had the idea of reviving METROLAND in the back or my brain. I honestly never thought beyond that until this year. It all kind of happened organically through countless conversations with other creatives and folks in the community. We will be covering Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga and the general perimeter around those four. But we won’t hold ourselves back from places beyond that when the call comes! The focus, for now, will mostly be music but we’re expanding into arts and other entertainment, comedy, community events, non-profit organizations, small businesses, a comprehensive calendar and just see where it takes us! As long as the message is positive, we’ll share it!

I know you started with the idea of being an online publication only and now I have heard murmurs that you are considering bringing a version into print also. Can you tell us more about what that will look like and what the timelines are on that front? Will this be a weekly issue?

I started this idea with NO intention of printing but the more I talked to folks the more I heard this exact phrase uttered: “I miss picking one up.” I really listened to that. For whatever reason, folks miss the physical nature of METROLAND. I don’t believe print is dead but I also don’t see the need for a weekly so we’re going to try for a monthly hopefully starting this month! (October 2024)

A robust and representative publication takes a lot of team work. How big is your current team? Is it mostly volunteers or paid folk? As I recollect, that last version of Metroland ended up closing due to financial issues. Do you have a plan to ensure that you don’t end up with similar challenges?

My current team is about seven folks, including myself. Everyone has been volunteering, including myself. There’s one person who I have been paying out of my own pocket because she does this for a living and has a small child and another on the way, whereas the other team members have day jobs. Everything is transparent; everyone knows who’s making what. I’m actively working on way to ensure that everyone, including myself, gets paid. It’s a priority. The last thing I want to do is exploit artists!

I registered as a non-profit because my priority is to try and help other non-profits in the area – be it venues or general NFP’s – get the attention they might not be able to afford otherwise. I plan on doing some fundraising and getting some sponsors/patrons/donors to help give to the cause. There will also be advertising opportunities that can generate income. My plan to make sure we stay financially viable is to use the resources I have built over my 20+ years in the Capital Region and learn from my peers. I have been offered an incredible amount of support from some of the most successful people in the area and am genuinely humbled by the respect I’ve been shown. I have a big ego and know what my vision is but I am not too proud to ask for help with the things that I haven’t learned enough about yet. It will take a village, but I HAVE that village.

If folks want to be involved on the creative content side or are interested in advertising or being a distribution point, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?

We have received SO many submissions so far. We are working on the best way to filter through them all and give the best consideration to each and are still ironing out a process to make this easy for everyone involved. When it’s time it will be very clear how to do that! Right now we suggest checking the website and the social media. We’re chipping away at the messages we’ve already gotten and asking people to be patient with us. I have amazing volunteers and I am not about to overwhelm them. There’s a fine line between ambition/tenacity and harassment, though. The latter will not be rewarded. Even the most talented folks won’t be considered if they aren’t respectful during this process. Also the core group has to vote unanimously on new contributors. I want everyone to be safe and comfortable with their peers. That is paramount. Contacting ME directly isn’t a good idea, either. Haha! Just trying to make our boundaries very clear.

Shameless Plug: What would you like to share with us? Any things coming up on the horizon we should know about?

Thank you but honestly nothing right now! We just ask that everyone share the website and the socials and keep it up with all the positive messages. I can’t wait to watch this grow and work with our vibrant and talented community!

Finally, know that ACE! has your back! 🙂

LIKEWISE! I look very much forward to working with you guys closely!

For more on the final days of METROLAND previous...check out the article in the Times Union from January 2016 by Paul Grondahl.

The Team at METROLAND – The Final Days | Photo: Steve Jacobs / Times Union

Jill Fishon-Kovachick is Sculpting Success at Saratoga Clay Arts

June 6, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

I discovered Saratoga Clay Arts through my good friend Ping Xu who is a member there (Also a board member at Saratoga Arts). She kept telling me that I had to see the amazing facilities and community that she was a part of. Well, I have to say…she was right on all counts. What Founder and Executive Director Jill Fishon Kovachick has been able to cultivate is not just an oasis of creativity and an incredibly well equipped makers space but a connected and growing community that many have come to call home.

Please state your name, organization and what you do.

My name is Jill Fishon-Kovachick and the name of my center is the Saratoga Clay Arts Center. I am the Executive Director. I started working with Clay at eleven years of age at Bucks Rock Camp in New Milford Connecticut. I was a camper and became a counselor and found Clay as my medium. From there I went to Skidmore College where I received my BS Degree is Art Education. I studied under Regis Brodie. My love for clay has been my passion for most of my life and continues to be important to me and to be able to teach it to our community fills my heart.

Entrance Sign at Saratoga Clay Arts | Image: Corey Aldrich

Can you tell us about what is happening at the Saratoga Clay Arts and what your mission is? The campus is so beautiful, I really love the vibe there!

Our mission is all about community and to inspire people of all ages. We educate people all about clay. From the hand-building process to the potters wheel. We also have many different types of kilns and glazes. There is also a gallery on site called the Schacht Gallery, which I named after my Grandmother who’s maiden name was Schacht. The gallery brings in local and national artists. We want to expose people of all generations to what it means to work with clay. The gallery broadens people’s understanding of what can be done with clay – in all ways.

Schacht Gallery at Saratoga Clay Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

Outdoor Patio Area at Saratoga Clay Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

What does a typical day look like for you on location?

My typical day is wearing many different hats at SCAC. From teaching to answering phones to paying bills and then of course finding time to work on my own work.

Hands On Soda Firing and Throwing Workshop with Matt Long at Saratoga Clay Arts | Image: Corey Aldrich

A lot of organizations with an educational program end up going the not for profit route. Why did you decide to structure as a for profit company?

I ended up making SCAC a private business because I had to react fast to create it. I had been working at Skidmore for Special Programs for 17 years. There I taught a night class for the outside community. Skidmore had decided to delete the night classes for ceramics so the people taking classes needed a place to work. This required me to move quickly to bring everyone to the center. There was no time to set up a not-for-profit. We all needed a place to work – immediately. I bought our current building in foreclosure. I know I made the right decisions as the center has been busier then I ever dreamed could happen.

Materials Pantry at Saratoga Clay Arts | Image: Corey Aldrich

Saratoga Clay Arts has 7 Electric Kilns on Campus (4 Seen Here) | Image: Corey Aldrich

Can you talk a little bit about the economics of the business? I know running a pottery shop requires some serious equipment and infrastructure investment.

We opened in 2011. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the building and the equipment to get things going. The business did need some financial backing to cover the equipment side though. Since then we have been raising money through our annual fundraiser which is called the Chili Bowl. We give some of our proceeds to a local organization called To Life which is helping people with breast cancer. and to the Wilton Food Pantry. The local restaurants have participated and have been incredibly generous in donating their donations for the event. It’s a chili cook off and competition and is an amazing and fun event. This of course is in addition to our class and program fees.

EDITORS NOTE: In addition to 7 electric kilns of various types, Saratoga Clay Arts has a large high-fire gas kiln, a salt kiln, a soda kiln, a raku kiln and a pit fire smoker.

Jill at the Kiln | Youth Programming at Saratoga Clay Arts | Image: Provided

Mark Tarabula – Studio Manager at Saratoga Clay Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

Running a business can be so demanding, how do you balance that with your own artistic practice?

Running a business is incredibly demanding and I have had to give up some valuable time in making my own work to do but it, but it was worth it. The center is such a great place. Since opening and being available all the time I have hired some amazing people. I have a Studio Manager Mark Tarabula , an Artistic Director Leigh Taylor Mickelson and a Marketing and Engagement Community Coordinator Lyndee Deal. This allows me to be able to to focus more on my work. We also have up to 4 Artists in Residence at any given time who teach classes and work for the center in exchange for studio use. Additionally, we hire interns who learn from us and find their direction in clay. They help teach classes and learn the dynamics of running a center.

David Kwak – Resident Artist at Saratoga Clay Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

Under Construction : New Classroom Space at Saratoga Clay Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

Bonus question: Anything coming up on the horizon you would like to tell us about, programming to promote?

Some exciting news on the horizon… we are almost finished renovating the basement and have created another beautiful classroom and more studio rentals. We plan for that to be open in June which will allow us to have more room to grow and more classes being offered. Additionally, this will allow us to promote more private parties and corporate clay events.