Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 04 Walking Walk Artwalks Saranac Lake
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

Walking the Walk: ArtWalks in Saranac Lake

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

ADK Blogger

March 12, 2019

Share

There’s nothing more Saranac Lake than Third Thursday ArtWalks, an event that's been a tradition in this village for more than 20 years. The format is pretty simple: Every third Thursday in June through September, the galleries open their doors and showcase their artwork. Art and the artists who created it literally spill onto the streets from 5-7:30 p.m. And in true Saranac Lake style, there’s music and laughter everywhere, providing a lively backdrop to the positive energy and celebration of all things creative.

 

From humble beginnings

Local Saranac Lake artist Tim Fortune was the brains behind the first ArtWalk. Sitting in his downtown gallery, Small Fortune Studio, surrounded by a colorful array of large, nature-inspired paintings, he explained that the event was simply a way to shine a light on the artists, writers, musicians, and performers who are drawn to the town.

Tim spread the word among his artist friends and recruited about 10 business owners to host artwork for the kickoff; there are about 25 involved now.

Tim Fortune in his studio, The Small Fortune Studio.

“The concept is to bring the art from the galleries to the sidewalks,” Tim said. “It creates a real community spirit, with people interacting and meeting. It’s a party; that’s a huge component to the ArtWalk. It hits on a number of very positive, lifestyle kind of reasons why we live here.”

Tim was born and raised in Saranac Lake, moved away, and later returned to live here with his wife. He started renting his current studio space about 23 years ago, and three years later he started the North Country Artists Guild, which later became the Adirondack Artists Guild.

The decision to come back to Saranac Lake echoes the reason so many others say they moved here. It’s difficult to put into words, but there’s something authentically unique about the way the town feels. Ancient mountains rise above mirror-surfaced lakes; the historic downtown somehow still feels young and vibrant. During the ArtWalks, this spirit is on full display, from one corner of downtown to the other. There’s something interesting to see, hear, or do every step of the way.

Tim looks at his collection of ArtWalk news articles.

Tim stressed that the ArtWalks are as much for visitors as for people who live nearby. For him, meeting those visitors reinforces why he lives here. When they pop into his studio, they tell him about their experience in Saranac Lake. He loves the honest impression from a new set of eyes — this place he sees every day isn’t like other places.

“What makes people stay here is that feeling, and I think artists are really tuned into that,” Tim said. “People who have a certain amount of flexibility, generally young folks or retirees, see this as a special place and they move here. I’d say 90 percent of my friends here are not local; they moved here from somewhere else.”

Where creative energy flows freely

Whether or not you make it to an ArtWalk this summer, be sure to tune into the creative spirit of Saranac Lake. You’ll find local art on the walls in many shops, restaurants, and galleries like NorthWind Fine Arts, the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, Art at the Pink House, and BluSeed Studios, which all have a rotating selection of paintings, collages, sculptures, assemblages, photography, and pottery on display. There are free concerts every Wednesday in Berkeley Green and every Thursday at the Waterhole’s Party on the Patio series. Other local venues also host live music, often on the weekend, and events crop up all summer long.

Live music on The Waterhole's patio.

As Tim can attest, it takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make all of this happen, and Saranac Lake is all the better for it.

“I always thought the ArtWalk would eventually go away, that this vision would just fade, but that didn’t happen,” Tim said.

That’s because other artists got on board and volunteered their time. As interest grew, people began promoting Saranac Lake as an arts community, which over time became a self-fulfilling prophecy for the village to embrace.

“There wasn’t a big scheme or a big plan — artists generally don’t do that in my experience,” Tim said with a smile. “It just happened organically, and here we are.”


Experience art and music in Saranac Lake, and don't forget about our great shops and restaurants!

Share

Packages and Promotions

range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: