Grand Opening! Ukulele Classes!
Poetry Night! Acoustic Guitar Workshop with Hiroya Tsukamoto!
Harp Retreat with Heather Yule!
& More!
a. MONDAY MORNING UKULELE WITH JAMIE! Classes start July 6!
Learn to play this easy, fun little instrument. No experience is needed--only a smile and lots of enthusiasm!
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!
b. GRAND ART OPENING 2026:
THE PLACES WE CALL 'HOME': A Celebration of our Sacred Connections to the Earth and to One Another
Sunday, July 12, 2025 at 5 p.m.
COME AND MEET OUR ARTISTS, HEAR ABOUT THEIR INSIGHTS AND THE SOURCES OF THEIR INSPIRATION!
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’
c. ACOUSTIC GUITAR WORKSHOP with HIROYA TSUKAMOTO!
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 3 PM
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
d. WORD LOVERS UNITE !!! POETRY NIGHT IN THE BARN WITH HOSTS RAY AND LAURIE PETERSEN,
Friday, September 11, 2026, starting at 5 PM
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.
e. A RETREAT with SCOTTISH HARPIST--STORYTELLER HEATHER YULE !
(One- and two-day options! Details TBA)
Hands-on Interactive Workshops with Heather Yule, Heather's concert of Sunday, Septemer 20th included!
Friday evening, September 18 through Heather's concert starting Sunday at 3 PM.
Join us for an inspiring retreat with charismatic teacher, storyteller and harpist HEATHER YULE in the company of fellow lovers of harp!!!
SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION INFO AND LINK TBA!
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.*
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.