Charming towns along the St. Lawrence River make ideal destinations for an arts-focused vacation. The Thousand Islands-Seaway is a land of historic lighthouses, romantic castles, and seafaring life, all of which are reflected in the art that’s created here. The region also cherishes traditional arts and crafts, world-class music from every genre, and fun-filled annual festivals that celebrate arts and culture. Plus, discover world-class arts and culture in every region of New York State with I LOVE NY’s newly launched regional map and guides, upcoming calendar of events, and more.
JUMP TO: Visual Arts | Theaters and Performing Arts | Historic Sites and Landmarks | Music and Film | Events and Festivals
Visual Arts
Frederic Remington, as an illustrator for Harper’s and other popular magazines of the 19th century, established himself as a respected chronicler of the American West. His artwork often depicted images of cowboys, Native Americans, and soldiers. A comprehensive collection of Remington’s works, along with personal artifacts and memorabilia, are on view at the Ogdensburg Museum named for him. Discussions of Remington’s works and a book club dedicated to his writings are among the museum’s special events.
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An astonishing 10,000 textiles are held at this museum and educational center in Clayton. They span epochs from Ancient Egypt to the modern day, with a specialty in 20th-century American handwoven pieces. Textiles from the permanent collection and other works of art are on display in two galleries. Exhibits highlight individual artists and have included paintings, photography, and glass art. Thousand Islands Arts Center is dedicated to preserving traditional arts, offering classes in pottery, knitting, jewelry making, and much more.
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York/TAUNY
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The name begs the question: just what are the traditional arts in this glorious region of the Empire State? The answer is evident in TAUNY’s past and present exhibits, which have focused on displays of handmade quilts, antique fishing lures, fiddles, and other instruments relevant to regional music, and photographs and paintings of daily life along the St. Lawrence River. Located in downtown Canton, TAUNY offers art-focused education including painting, ceramics, and fiber arts classes. Be sure to stop at the North Country Folkstore to purchase products handmade by local artists.
Theaters and Performing Arts
Henderson Harbor Performing Arts Center
A scenic 18-acre landscape is the setting for a variety of visual and performing arts events. This Henderson Harbor organization features plays, live music, and tons of events for both kids and adults to enjoy the serene setting throughout July and August. As champions of young people in the arts, they also host an art show to exhibit works from area high school students.
The arts program at SUNY Oswego produces cutting-edge performances that are typically open to the public, giving everyone in the community access to dynamic and diverse performing arts events. Catch live chamber music, jazz quartets, and much more. A Living Writing Series, presenting talks and readings with award-winning authors, is on the upcoming fall schedule. The series is a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions.
Rock out to the familiar tunes of Cruel Summer, Smells Like Dave Growl, and Meet Loaf, a Meat Loaf tribute band! This historic venue is the spot in Pulaski to watch bands pay tribute to Taylor Swift, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Meat Loaf, and many more. Stand-up comedians and local musicians also take the stage on a regular basis. And don’t miss truly unique events like Murder Mystery Dinner Theater or Bacon, Brews, and Tunes, a festival that combines the joys of music and bacon.
Historic Sites and Landmarks
Try your hand at traditional crafts like bronze casting, wooden chair making, and lofting, which involves drawing up plans for your very own handmade boat. These are a few of the classes that have been offered at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton. While you’re there, peruse the collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, including canoes, runabouts, skiffs, and more. The museum’s main gallery, the Haxall Building, features artwork related to the region’s industry, daily life, and culture.
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Historic vessels, a lighthouse, and shipbuilding tools and artifacts chronicle 400 years of maritime history in the Thousand Islands-Seaway. Rotating art exhibits consisting of photographs, watercolors, and paintings of the region’s landscapes and people bring this heritage to life even more vividly. The museum, set on the Oswego Harbor, is named after a local World War II Navy Commander.
The posh Victorian lifestyle is on full display at the Richardson-Bates House Museum. Once home to a wealthy Oswego family, the Italianate villa was built in the late 19th century. It was given to the Oswego County Historical Society in 1946, along with most of the family’s original furnishings. Mansion tours (available from April to December) guide visitors to areas like the reception room. The walls here are lined with art from the private collection of Maxwell B. Richardson, the mansion’s first resident. Further along, the drawing room features works by European and American artists. Such pieces did more than add beauty to already sumptuous spaces; they also showed off, in case the neighbors were wondering, the immense wealth of the residents.
Music and Film
A historic music hall overlooking the St. Lawrence River is the setting for a year-round calendar of cultural events. The four-story brick building in downtown Clayton was built in the early 1900s and originally served as a vaudeville theater. A 2007 renovation revived it to modern-day elegance. Concerts, stand-up comedy, dance parties, plays, and musicals are part of the regular schedule of events.
The colorful marquee is an icon in downtown Oswego, and the seven-auditorium theater offers lots of options for cinematic delight. Audiences are treated to luxury reclining chairs to melt into and catch the latest flicks. Weekday cinephiles can take advantage of $5 films on Tuesdays and $1 popcorn on Wednesdays. Oswego Cinema 7 was built in 1941 and retains its original Art Deco style.
The Orchestra of Northern New York
Their annual Summer Pops concert is a cornerstone of the season, with many more events taking place beyond the popular Independence Day celebration. Musicians in this professional symphony orchestra hail from New York, New England, and Canada; many have performed with major ensembles around the world. Led by conductor Michael J. Colburn, concerts are performed in Clayton, Potsdam, Watertown, and more area venues.
What began as the Low Life Café has evolved into a world-class music venue. Oswego Music Hall is also known as the Ontario Center for Performing Arts, with performances taking place at McCrobie Civic Center in Oswego. At each show, the coffee house vibe of the original Low Life Café prevails, as the venue transforms into a cozy, candlelit café. Talented musicians both regionally and nationally recognized entertain audiences with music influenced by bluegrass, folk, country, and gospel. Open Mic Fridays invite musicians of all ages and skill levels to take the stage on select dates.
Events and Festivals
Dance a mid-summer day away at Oswego Harborfest! Every July, Breitbeck Park, Cahill Pier, and other Oswego venues host a three-day party complete with live music, local food vendors, arts and crafts, and a midway carnival. More than 30 acts deliver music ranging from rock to pop to 80s tribute bands. Admission is free for the estimated 75,000 annual attendees. The festival concludes with a fireworks display. Harborfest has been bringing the party to Oswego since 1988.
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Every summer, Cape Vincent goes all out in a nod to French culture. Buskers fill the streets, mouthwatering pâtisserie are for sale, and kids–encouraged to don the colors of the French flag–do a lap around the Village Green during the children’s parade. Throughout the event, regional musicians perform and local food and craft vendors set up shop. The main events happen around East Broadway Avenue, though activities are spread throughout Cape Vincent. The French Festival typically takes place on a mid-July weekend.
Norwood Village Green Concert Series
The Liotta Bandshell on the Village Green in Norwood transforms during the summer months into a stage for thrilling international music. Performers from around the globe treat fans to every genre under the sun. Since the inaugural series in 1974, performers from Bangladesh, Spain, Uganda, Canada, the Mohawk Nation, and many more have entertained audiences. Grammy award winners frequently grace the stage. Dance performances, magic shows, and lots of events for kids are available. Concerts take place on select dates from June to August. All events are free; donations are welcome.
Thousand Islands Art & Craft & Antique Festival
Local artisans come out in droves during a two-day festival that celebrates handmade arts and crafts. Vendors feature products like pottery, soaps, fiber arts, jewelry, and much more. Antiques and collectibles are also on display, and experts demonstrate the arts of spinning and weaving. The festival happens in early August at the Cerow Center in Clayton. Local food vendors are on-site.
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