Jamie--the most inspiring and supportive music teacher ever!-- will teach you basic chords and strums that will help you through dozens of songs.  

Ages 8-98 are welcome to attend.  This is a super-fun activity for parents and children.

9 am      Beginners (one hour class)  

10 am    Intermediate-Performance Class (a longer class with a break for tea/coffee in the middle)

Classes start on Monday, July 6, 2926.  

Cost:  $40 for four classes.

Call or text Evie at 718-753-7947 to register!  

Art Opening begins at 5:00.  

5:15  Welcoming Remarks by Gallery Director Evelyn Saphier 

During the summer of 2026 here at the Iva Smith Gallery, we are aspiring to share heart-based artwork that inspires viewers to reflect on our sacred connections to the lands we call 'home'  and to one another.

In our main gallery, view paintings by Paul Saphier inspired by his passionate love of the North Country and especially the St. Lawrence River.... SACRED RIVER

In our entry gallery, enjoy the eloquent photography of Gary Walts in his exhibition

THE FARM FAMILY AND OTHER FOLKS:

THE COMPASSIONATE LENS OF GARY WALTS

Our upper deck gallery will showcase the paintings of Joan Applebaum  and the decorative gourds of Gretchen Starks-Martin in a collaborative exhibition,

HEARTBEAT OF NATURE: CONNECTED BY WATER.

The radiant plein air pastel paintings of Catherine LaPointe-Vollmer will be found in the Gallery Cow-fé in her exhibition

NORTHERN TALES IN TEXTURE & LIGHT

Selected works by Dawn Oman and Rollin Hansonwill once again be available.

We will also be sharing the MEDITATIONS IN WOOD-- bowls, cutting boards and more-- of Dennis Del Rossi and--for the first time!-- the RAKU CERAMICS OF Rebecca Del Rossi.

For the first time, our gift shop will offer the beautiful, natural skincare products of Claudia Loomis Chandler.

Come one!!! Come all!!!  Join us to celebrate this beautiful confluence of artistry shedding light on the universal theme: 'THE PLACES WE CALL HOME’ 

Internationally-acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto will lead a comfortable, informal masterclass for players of guitar.  Ukulele players also welcome!

.

Wisdom on scales, thumb placement, tunings, improvisation, and more to help players improve and expand their talents will be presented with kindness and patience and easy laughter by one of the best fingerstyle players in the world. 

Hiroya will demonstrate fingerstyle techniques, including chords and basic theory, breaking down elements such as tone and rhythm, explaining how to apply them to a practice routine. Questions will be warmly received.

LEVEL: Players should know basic chords

WHAT TO BRING: Attendees should bring own their own guitar to practice exercises with the group, Space is limited to 10 players

DATE:  SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2026 at 3 PM.  PLAN TO ARRIVE 15 - 20 MINUTES EARLY!

COST:  $40 at time of registration. Please pre-register!  Class will be capped at 10 students.  

Call Evie at 718-753-7947 to register or use our convenient Eventbrite link.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acoustic-guitar-workshop-with-hiroya-tsukamoto-tickets-1990697794692

Poetry Night in the Barn is the night when word-lovers get their say, sharing favorite poems and creating their own. This end-of-season event is always a time of warmth, friendship and open-hearted sharing. Don't be a stranger!  Grab some verses and head over to the Gallery!   5:00 PM.  

HARP RETREAT IN THE THOUSAND ISLANDS WITH HEATHER YULE!

Days for sharing stories and beautiful melodies in the company of storyteller and harpist Heather Yule!

Hear some of Gàidhealtach’s legendary tales and learn how Heather uses the harp to dramatize her stories!

All hands-on workshops! Bring your harp!!!

Retreat Options:

Weekend with Heather

Friday evening, September 18 through Heather’s concert on Sunday,

September 20, 2026 at 3:00

which includes Friday Evening Meet & Greet, Five Workshops, shared meals.

Ceilidh/Share Your Secret Talent Evening, and Sunday Concert

$225, or

Saturday with Heather

Which includes three workshops and shared lunch with Heather and friends

$125, or

Sunday with Heather

which includes two back-to-back workshops, shared lunch with Heather and

friends, and Concert

$125

SCHEDULE

Friday evening, 9/18:

6 p.m. Meet-and-Greet Harp Circle of Friends Old & New

Meet Heather and greet harp-friends old and new. We will tune up, share

introductions, light fare and music!

Be ready to share your own stories! Maybe the story of how you came to play

the harp? Perhaps Heather will tell us a story!

Saturday, 9/19

9:15-10:45 WORKSHOP I

Exploring tunes from the Lowlands of Scotland connected to local stories,

legends and customs.

A chance to learn some great tunes, look at the style and influences of the

music in this part of the country and discover how the harp fit into this society

in the past.

11:00-12:30 WORKSHOP II

Tunes from the North-East of Scotland, the Orkneys and Shetland connected

to local stories, legends and customs.

The North-East has a very distinctive style and flavour to their music and their

customs. We will begin with the music and stylistic ornamentation of J. Scott

Skinner’s compositions, who was known as

‘the Strathspey King’, and then

wend our way further north to discover the rich influences of the Nordic

traditions.

12:30-1:15 Lunch & Break

1:15-2:45 WORKSHOP III

Exploring the land of the Gael: melodies from the Highlands and Islands of

Scotland connected to local stories, legends and customs.

The Gaelic language, their traditions and way of life are strongly reflected in

the music of this area of Scotland. The harp, or ‘clarsach’, was an important

instrument within the culture, and the music and poetry of the ancient harpers

were very influential. This will be a chance to learn some beautiful tunes and

gain a sense of the context in which this music was created.

3:00 Leisure Time and Break for Private Lessons.

Heather has two private lesson slots of 50 minutes each, at 3 pm and 4 pm on

Saturday. Cost per lesson is $60 .

Call or text Evie at 718.753.7947 to reserve your lesson time!

6:00 Meet for Supper

7 CEILIDH

Share-Your-Secret Talent Night!

An evening in which all are invited to share their unique talents. Sing a song,

play a piece, recite a poem, teach a dance!, tell a story, model a quilt, sweater

or scarf, tell a joke. Don’t be shy. It’s all in fun. Sign up with Evie.

Sunday, 9/20

9:30-11:00

WORKSHOP 1

An introduction to exploring harp techniques, improvisation patterns and

accompaniment ideas that can be used to enhance and inspire tune

arrangements, or be used to accompany the spoken word.

The harp is an instrument that is capable of many textures and sounds that can

create emotion and atmosphere. This will be a fun workshop looking at many

of the myriad of possibilities literally at our fingertips. We will start this

workshop by learning a Scottish melody and then use its structure to explore

concepts, patterns, chords and harp techniques.

11:15- 12:45

WORKSHOP 2

Continuation of exploration of harp techniques and a practical chance to

experience accompanying the spoken word.

We will continue to look at various harp techniques and improvisational

patterns to open up new possibilities. The harp is an ideal instrument for

accompanying the spoken word, from enhancing a poetry recitation to weaving

music into a presentation, wedding ceremony or even a traditional storytelling

event. In this workshop we will look at ideas of how this can work and have a

chance to try out these ideas.

12:45-2:00 Break for Lunch in the Cow-fé

3:00 Concert:

AN AFTERNOON OF SCOTTISH HARP MUSIC & STORYTELLING

featuring HEATHER YULE

followed by a Meet-the-Artist Reception

REGISTRATION:

Kindly circle your option!

Weekend with Heather ($225)

Saturday with Heather ($125)

Sunday with Heather ($125)

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Method of Payment: (I.e., check, credit card, cash)

NOTE: Meals will be in common. Kindly plan to bring light fare to share!

Two private lessons available on Saturday at 3 and 4, on a first-come, first-

served basis to be paid to Heather directly.

Schedule with Evie.

Please make your check payable to: The Iva Smith Gallery and mail it to:

Evelyn Saphier, The Iva Smith Gallery, 627 State Highway 37, Hammond, NY

13646.

Kindly let us know your plans and return this form at your earliest

convenience!

You may also register by email/phone at 718-753-7947 and read Evelyn your

Credit Card number, if you wish. Email: enpsaphier@gmail.com

Thank you!

Notes: The following is offered for those who may wish to stay on and enjoy

the beauty and historical interest of the Thousand Islands!

*

Many local hotels and motels will have started off-season rate schedules.

Almost all require a 2-night commitment. For those who wish to stay

overnight, simple, clean accommodations can be had at The Rock Ledge or

The Applewood, on Route 12 in Alexandria Bay. There are lovely on-the-river

resorts such as The Riveredge Resort and The Edgewood Resort. I would also

suggest looking into The Lodges at Oak Point—lovely cottages on the River.

*

Redwood, just south of Hammond has several pristine lakes ideal for

kayaking. The Wandering Kayak will deliver and pick up kayaks with all

essentials (life vest, paddle, phone protector) at a lake of your choice.

*

People who stay on an extra day may like to take an Uncle Sam’s Boat Tour

out of Alex Bay to get out on the River and hear the interesting history of the

Thousand Islands.

*

Clayton, 20 minutes upriver from Alex Bay is a charming River town with a

lovely waterfront, shops art center/handweaving museum and restaurants.

Evelyn Saphier, Gallery Director

The Iva Smith Memorial Gallery of Fine Art, 627 State Highway 37, Hammond, NY 13646

(718) 753-7947 www.saphierartworks.com; www.Facebook/IvaSmithGallery; https://www.ivasmithgallery.com