Prentice Lane Concert Series
Prentice Lane Concert Series

Join us for a series of free concerts in Prentice Lane on Main Street in Canton. The concerts, featuring North Country musicians, are held on select Wednesdays from 5pm - 7pm.
Available seating is limited, so we suggest bringing your own lawn chairs.
For a complete schedule of the performances and dates, click below.

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Featured & Upcoming Events

Rehearsals on select Mondays beginning
September 28th through November 9th   5:30pm – 7pm
The TAUNY Center 53 Main Street Canton, NY

with a final performance/community barn dance on November 15th 2pm
at the Presbyterian Church Potsdam, NY
Registration fees:    $50 (18 years and over)
                                $15(under 18 years of age)
Now in its 4th year, the Orchestra is led by
Founder and Director Gretchen Koehler, and assisted by musician/instructor Barb Heller.
All ages and experience levels welcome.  Acoustic instruments only, and no keyboards.
For complete details, dates and online registration, click below.

Rehearsals on select Mondays beginning
September 28th through November 9th   5:30pm – 7pm
The TAUNY Center 53 Main Street Canton, NY

with a final performance/community barn dance on November 15th 2pm
at the Presbyterian Church Potsdam, NY
Registration fees:    $50 (18 years and over)
                                $15(under 18 years of age)
Now in its 4th year, the Orchestra is led by
Founder and Director Gretchen Koehler, and assisted by musician/instructor Barb Heller.
All ages and experience levels welcome.  Acoustic instruments only, and no keyboards.
For complete details, dates and online registration, click below.
Pumpkin made from multi-colored paper

Nancy Wilder Palmateer Memorial Children’s Workshop TAUNY KIDS CREATE

Saturday October 10th, 10am - 12pm, The TAUNY Center

Ages 6 – 12.
Children under 6 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Maximum class size is 15

Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is an ancient art that involves rolling, shaping and gluing narrow strips of paper to create intricate, decorative designs. It dates back to the Renaissance, where in the 15th and 16th centuries, French and Italian nuns and monks rolled gilded strips of paper to adorn holy items. It later evolved into a popular pastime for upper-class women in 18th century Europe and England. There has been a resurgence of interest in quilling – in more colorful designs.
Join Karen Granger for a hands-on workshop in the art of quilling. Choose your own autumn motif: pumpkins, apples, autumn trees, and woodland animals. Learn to coil paper, and create the basic shapes which when put together, make up the finished design.
This workshop is made possible by the Nancy Wilder Palmateer Memorial Fund. This fund was established by the Palmateer and Wilder Families in 2015 to honor the creative side of Nancy, her work with children, and to encourage hands-on engagement for young people.

Double Exposure: Split Tail

The Upstairs Gallery

This Exhibit features the collaborative work of TAUNY staff member Cassandra Leona Desjardins-Bolesh and Lainie Calhoun-Bouchey.  Their art combines poetry, photography, painting and repurposed materials as well as handmade paper by Todd Moe.

The North Country Fiddle Orchestra - Fall Session

Rehearsals on select Mondays beginning September 28th – November 9th  5:30pm – 7pm
The Center 53 Main Street Canton, NY

with a final performance/community barn dance on November 15th 2pm at the Presbyterian Church Potsdam, NY

Registration fees:    $50 (18 years and over)
$15(under 18 years of age)

 

Now in its 4th year, the Orchestra is led by Founder and Director Gretchen Koehler, and assisted by musician/instructor Barb Heller.
All ages and experience levels welcome.  Acoustic instruments only, and no keyboards.
For complete details, dates and online registration, click below.
Water Color of Island Scene

SPOTLIGHT GALLERY

Canoe Journeys
and Waterfall Stories

The Waterscapes of Sarah Budd

The waterscapes of Sarah Budd are featured in the current Folkstore Spotlight Gallery Exhibit .
The Exhibit showcases paintings of Sarah’s favorite places to canoe, hike and enjoy the serenity of the Adirondacks – some of which are extraordinary panoramic images.
Please join us on July 11th from 1pm-3pm for a reception and opportunity to meet Sarah and discuss her work.

Paddle Painting - Loon on Water

Paddle Painting Workshop with John Miller

Ages 14 and up

Registration Fee is $25

Saturday, September 19th

Join us for a hands-on Paddle Painting Workshop at the TAUNY Center, 53 Main Street Canton, NY.  In this two-hour class, John Miller III will share his experience and design ideas, and demonstrate the fundamentals of paddle painting.  And you’ll get a chance to create your own one-of-a-kind paddle as a gift for a favorite nature-lover, or just to inspire your artistic side. Feel free to bring your own photograph or design to paint on your paddle.

All materials and paints are supplied.  No prior painting experience necessary.

Maximum of 15 Participants

Sourdough Bread Making Workshop

with Tom Van de Water
Registration Fee is $20
Tuesday, November 10th 4:00pm-5:30pm
Our most popular workshop is back!
Artisan bread maker Tom Van de Water
will show you how to start the dough, knead and
bake it.  Each participant will leave with their own
starter to continue their bread making at home.
Mandela made from paper

“Mandala” Design Quilling Workshop,

Wednesday,
November 11th, 3pm – 5pm,

The TAUNY Center 53 Main Street, Canton

Registration is required

Maximum class size is 20

$ 15.00 USD

Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is an ancient art that involves rolling, shaping and gluing narrow strips of paper to create intricate, decorative designs.  It dates back to the Renaissance, where in the 15th and 16th centuries, French and Italian nuns and monks rolled gilded strips of paper to adorn holy items.  It later evolved into a popular pastime for upper-class women in 18th century Europe and England.  Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in quilling – in more colorful, contemporary designs..

Join Karen Granger for a hands-on workshop in the art of quilling.  The concentric, repetitive design of the mandala is reminiscent of ornate quilling designs in past centuries.  Learn to coil paper strips into shapes to assemble the circular design motifs of your choosing.

All materials and tools will be supplied by the instructor.

This workshop is made possible by NYSCA: The New York State Council on the Arts

Candle making workshop

Holiday Candle Making with Ginger Noble Sweeney

Wednesday December 2nd, 3pm – 4:30pm

The TAUNY Center 53 Main Street, Canton

$35 registration fee (includes a candle to take home)

From the pleasing scent of melting beeswax and satisfying pleasure of filling glass jars, to the joy of gifting to loved ones or relishing the peaceful flame alone, handmade beeswax candles bring warmth and well-being to life.  Join Ginger Sweeney for a 90 minute workshop in which she will teach beeswax container candle making with all-natural, food-safe materials, including locally sourced beeswax and two signature health-boosting essential oil fragrance blends.

All ages. Under 12 with adult supervision

Accessibility: All abilities are welcome.  Activities will involve fine motor skills and work that cannot be done while seated (pouring hot wax into a container), but the instructor and her assistant will work with individuals who may need assistance.

Participants will measure out wax ingredients, melt the wax (instructor will use a large melter for the group), blend in essential oil fragrances, prepare jars with wicks, pour wax in containers at the proper temperature, and decorate the jars with personalized tags and twine.

Ginger Sweeney is a small business owner who is passionate about promoting our local economy, wellness for individuals and communities, and the creative expression of the soul for joyful living. Ginger began making candles when she was unable to teach yoga classes in 2021. She was inspired to create cheerful candle and tea boxes for friends and family who needed connection and care. Sustainable and zero-waste production practices are her goals, and she strives to use more local resources. She lives in Norwood.

This workshop is made possible by NYSCA: The New York State Council on the Arts
Gingerbread House

Gingerbread Workshop

December 5th, 10am-12pm
the TAUNY Center

Registration Fee: $40 per family/limit of 4 members per family

Join us for our fun annual Gingerbread Workshop led by award-winning gingerbread builder, Sue Wilder! This program will include instruction, inspiration, and all materials (including a sparkling array of candies and decorations). Participants can work individually or in small groups and will bring home their decorated gingerbread house. There is no minimum age to participate, but children must be supervised. The cost for this workshop is $40(up to 4 people per house). Pre-registration is required by calling 315-386-4289, or registering online.

*This workshop is made possible by the generous support from the Wilder and Albert Families

THE TAUNY CENTER

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and part of Canton’s downtown Historic District, The TAUNY Center is an anchor space for local residents, tourists, artists, and artisans. As a central arts and cultural organization, TAUNY attracts thousands of local and regional audiences to experience live music, workshops, exhibits, and to purchase local artwork. The facility is a hub of activity which contributes to the foot traffic in the historic downtown district and generates economic activity, adding to the vibrancy of the region.

CURRENT CAPITAL PROJECT

TAUNY is undertaking the final phase of its capital campaign at its Center to address several deficiencies at the facility. This project includes the addition of an automatic door opener, replacement of all windows, updating the TAUNY sign, awning, doors, and full front facade to be more historically accurate, functional, and which will enhance the streetscape.

FOLKSTORE: NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Folkstore Friday features a new artisan each week whose work is displayed and sold in The TAUNY Center. This week we are featuring the works of Jennifer Sampson, whose plein air oil paintings are now available at The TAUNY Center Folkstore.

#folkstorefriday 

ARTS EDUCATION

TAUNY’s Arts Education programs offer a series of educational workshops, residencies, and accompanying performances in traditional art forms for all ages at The TAUNY Center, schools, and other community based organizations in the North Country.

PLACEMAKING - ARCHWAY PROJECT

A new public art project entitled the Archway at Prentice Lane was planned in partnership with the Village of Canton,  and features a freestanding decorative archway on Main Street. The piece was created by professional artist James Gonzalez, a metalworker who creates large-scale works which feature distinctive attributes of the areas he serves.

RESEARCH - FOLK STUDIES/ARCHIVES

TAUNY’s presentations of the customs and traditions of the North Country begin with research. Our staff and a network of scholars with whom we work travel around the region to study and document ongoing cultural practices in our communities. Read about our current research projects here.

NEWBERRY CAFE - NEW HOURS

The Newberry cafe is now open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and featuring paninis (meat & vegetarian), crepes, quiches (meat & vegetarian), soups, salads and a variety of beverages! 

FEATURED PRACTICING ARTIST & EDUCATOR: GRETCHEN KOEHLER

Gretchen Koehler is a champion fiddler who studied music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and has been a professional violinist with the Orchestra of Northern New York since 1996, often as a soloist. She is not only an extraordinary fiddler, but also a gifted composer and string arranger.   Her musical style combines foot-stomping traditional music, innovation and the finesse of a classical violinist.  She was inducted into the North American Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame as the representative from New York State, and received the Living Traditions Award (formerly known as Heritage Award) from TAUNY.  She is a two-time recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts artist support – t awarded for her creative artistry and educational work.  Gretchen has taught hundreds of people in clinics, private lessons and in public schools across the North Country.  She is musical director of the North Country Folk Orchestra which rehearses and performs at the TAUNY Center in the Fall Season.  She is also musical director of the Madstop Fiddlers, a multi- generational group who perform Old-Time, Quebec, Celtic and Nordic traditional music.

Support TAUNY

Your support creates direct positive change within the TAUNY community. Every donation, regardless of size, is essential for bringing our programs to life, from educational workshops to performances that highlight New York’s North Country folk culture. By contributing, you help foster an inclusive space that celebrates traditions, supports artists, and strengthens community bonds. Together, we can ensure our cultural identity and practices thrive for future generations.