Featured & Upcoming Events
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.
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.