Today it's just a short walk from my home in Jay to an art opening. The Jay Entertainment & Music Society (JEMS) is hosting a regional art show just down the street at their building at the Jay Village Green.

It's a great day for a hike and I wish the walk to the green was longer. But the work on the inside of the building is a delight worth interrupting my walk.

Jay artist Nadine McLauglin has put this exhibit together and she is here today to welcome everyone to the opening. The show features local artists and, like many art exhibits in the North Country, it is eclectic. There are photographs, paintings, prints, and stained glass. But there are also chairs, silk scarves, and socks. There's even an artistically designed cake on the refreshment table.

And the cake artist who produced it is here too, promoting her wares. In fact, most of the artists exhibiting today are here to greet the steady flow of people traffic that is making its way through the building.

But back to the chairs. Wilmington artist Rarilee Conway makes these pine slab chairs. She says that the design is taken from the traditional Adirondack Chair. Nadine's husband, Don, is doing quite a bit of testing and adds, "it's firm but comfortable."

Other works that make a keen impression on me are Janet McGaffney's nature photographs, Nadine's photo of Lake Everest (the lake that is part of the Ausable River that sits at the foot of Whiteface Mountain), and Raymond Meslar's "Turn Right at the Pub." Some of the other artists in the show are Deb MacKenzie, Laura Bill, Kevin MacKenzie, and Melissa Kennedy Steinberg.

The building that is housing this exhibit is called The Amos and Julia Ward Theatre. In addition to art exhibits, the building hosts intimate winter coffee houses, dance classes, and other musical events.

On Sunday, November 11, the legendary Roy Book Binder will be performing in this venue. Known for his Piedmont Blues and ragtime guitar, Roy Book Binder is also a master storyteller. His repertoire spans blues, country, folk, bluegrass, and even Tin Pan Alley. He has appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and the National Storytelling Festival.

For more information about the Regional Art Exhibit and other events at The Amos & Julia Ward Theatre click through to the JEMS web site.

Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.