NM returns to the North Country!

Norte Maar celebrates its 10th Anniversary announcing a bold return to its roots in the North Country with two epic summer events. On July 18, Norte Maar will present the first annual Jay Invitational of Clay, an exhibition curated by one of the North Country’s most prominent artisans and teachers Jackie Sabourin. On August 1, Norte Maar brings back Fête de Danse, one of its signature North Country summer dance events.

Norte Maar was founded 10 years ago on the shores of Lake Champlain in the summer of 2004 by curator Jason Andrew and choreographer Julia K. Gleich. The organization played a major role in revitalizing the arts as it became a signature advocate, collaborator, and presenter of the visual, literary, and performing arts in the North Country from 2004-2010. Norte Maar held its first event, Fete de Danse on July 29, 2004, when it converted an ice rink into a major summer stage for dance.

Since 2006 the organization has been a leading force in the Bushwick community of Brooklyn.

This summer Norte Maar returns to the North Country with an exhibition of ceramics presented in collaboration with the Jay Craft Center and a summer dance concert presented in collaboration with the Strand Center for the Arts.

“As Norte Maar celebrates its 10th anniversary, it’s an amazing opportunity for us to return to the North Country where the organization was born,” states Norte Maar co-founder and director Jason Andrew, “the North Country has the artistic space and the flexibility wherein Norte Maar was born and took root. We have presented hundreds of artists and collaborated with just as many organizations, but there is nothing like presenting exhibitions and performances in the North Country. We can’t wait to meet new friends and renew our old friendships at our new home in the Adirondacks! The Jay Invitational of Clay and the return of Fête de Danse is a fabulous place to start!”

The Jay Invitational of Clay, July 18-20.In 2005, Norte Maar presented the first of many art exhibitions in the North Country. The show, titled Country Mouse / City Mouse, brought together the work of invited artists from the North Country and New York City. “The places artist live are often their source of inspiration. This exhibition focuses attention on various sources, environments, and circumstances that inspire an artist to create," reported The Press-Republican. This summer, Norte Maar will present the first annual Jay Invitational of Clay: an exhibition featuring an international selection of works in clay curated by Jackie Sabourin in collaboration with The Jay Craft Center (which celebrates its 40th year!). The exhibition will feature a selection of works in clay from the functional to the fanciful by local, regional, and nationally recognized artists. The exhibition opens with a reception for the public on Friday, July 18 from 5-9pm at the Jay House, Norte Maar’s new home in the Adirondacks, and will continue Saturday and Sunday open and free to the public from 9am-9pm. This event also coincides with the 2014 Artist at Work Studio Tour, July 20. For more information click here.

Fête de Danse, August 1 & 2.One of the North Country’s signature dance events, Fête de Danse ran in succession from 2004-2009 and was presented in collaboration with the Rouses Point Historical Society. The event, produced by Norte Maar brought renowned local, regional, and international dance companies together in a converted ice rink for a night celebrating dance and the Rouses Point community. This summer, Fête de Danse returns full steam as Norte Maar collaborates with the Strand Center for the Arts to present the return of this unique dance event and the first major production of dance to be held in the newly renovated Strand Theater in downtown Plattsburgh. For tickets and more information click here.

For more information about Norte Maar's 10th Anniversary celebration please call 646-361-8512.