Beekman Street Arts District Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary September 17-19

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Beekman Street Arts District invites the public to celebrate its 20 year anniversary Sept. 17-19 with a series of events open and free to all. 

The vision for a new arts district in Saratoga began in the spring of 2000 when Amejo Amyot, Deb Martin and Phil Haggerty called a general meeting at the Saratoga Springs Public Library to assess the local interest for an arts district. Over 50 artists attended and FISH, Finearts Initiative for Studios and Housing was hatched. 

The weekend events are:

Friday: Pop-up 5-7:30 p.m., visiting artists set up on lawns and porches of Beekman Street with SSHS Fiddle Club and other live music. Lisa David opening reception for “People, Places and Things: 1972” – Eden Compton Gallery, 79 Beekman 5-7 p.m. Principessa Elena Italian dinner, 10 Oak St, eat in or take out. Beekman Street shops and galleries open late 

Saturday: Live model session open to all artists- garden at Eden Compton Gallery, 79 Beekman, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

20th Anniversary of the Arts District reception – Living Resources, 70 Beekman, 5-8 p.m.  10 x 10 art show by past and present Beekman St artists, History of the West Side presentation by Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Saratoga Springs city historian.

Sunday: Erasing Spaces and Faces, Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman, 2-4 p.m.  Open mic for community sharing stories of displacement during Urban Renewal 2-3 p.m.