By Kasey Rosselli, Membership Coordinator

Spring is in full force here in the North Country, flowers emerging from slumber, birds have returned from their winter vacation south… and here at the Strand we are blossoming into the new season with more energy than ever! Later hours, new open studio opportunities, schedules jam packed with classes, camps and theatre events to keep our community of art lovers feeling enriched and energized!

Without the support of our community of members who love the arts; we would not be able to do this without YOU! The theatre and arts center are two incredible spaces filled with a century's worth of memories but the heart and soul are what you bring to them. Our members are the life blood of what keeps the Strand alive and able to provide space for the arts in our community.

Members of the Strand join for a variety of reasons and because of this we are lucky to be connected to such a diverse group of art fans and artists. I came to the Strand almost 4 years ago as an Artist member myself. I often reflect on that time, what brought me to the Strand, and why I have continued to be part of this community.

I hadn’t been able to work in a studio for well over a decade since college and I missed ceramics and was not ready to commit to fitting all of what I’d need to do it into my tiny apartment. So, I googled, “where to join a clay studio near me??” And Viola!! The Strand! I immediately reached out to the Clay Studio manager and began my journey at this local arts center. At first, I remember feeling nervous, doubting my skills and wondering “will I fit in here?”. I smile to think of that now, since becoming a member of the Strand community helped me on my path to self confidence and healing.

I was making art again, and it wasn’t easy. I remember many moments of frustration as time had really proven – throwing on the wheel is NOT like riding a bike. I would watch my peers throwing with ease and sharing stories and tips with each other. That’s when it changed, when I recognized that’s what being part of a community studio is all about. It’s about CONNECTION, time spent, ideas shared and overtime, friendships made.

Finding a group of people that come from many different walks of life that all collectively love art, washed away this feeling I know I often felt being in a rural community and that was isolation. Going to the studio gave me a space to be myself amongst others.

Over the years, I’ve chatted with so many people here at the Strand and our reasons for being here all of course stem from our love of art – but why do we stay?

One of my favorite answers to this question was being told “I could make art at home BUT -” they come here because it’s a neutral space away from their everyday life, away from stressors, work, kids, a place for them to do something for just themselves. We talked about it’s that feeling of peace within your mind, when you’re so focused on a project you can’t think of anything else but what’s going on within your hands. When life feels busy and overwhelming there is always space for art.

Fall Fest 2025, spending the day downtown - always finding my way here to the Strand

Others have shared that the convenience and accessibility is a huge factor, being able to come in and utilize all the space AND the tools to do their craft without limitations that are sometimes faced by creating a studio at home. Whether members have set ups at home or not, we all still convene here. For those who do create at home; coming here is still of value, again because of the connection.

The amount of times I’ve been working on a project and overheard conversations sounding like, “What glaze combination did you use?”, “What do you think about this?, “Can I ask your opinion?” or perhaps just as valuable, when we’re all together making and someone stops and says, “WOW! I love that!” It’s not just about being able to ask each other questions – because yes, you could google answers, but more importantly it’s hearing the genuine support and encouragement from your peers. It really fuels you to keep on your creative journey. I know for myself that when someone notices my work it feels good. It feels better coming from the people you work alongside and feel inspired by, and that’s exactly how I feel working in the Strand’s community studios.

My piece from my first Member Exhibition!

I know I’ve expressed my sincere love for working in the artist studios, but what I’ve not touched on yet is the rest of the opportunities that came along with being here at the Strand. I started going to plays again, I saw Rocky Horror Picture show for the first time, entered a piece in a juried show in the Petite Galerie and I was able to include my art into the Membership Exhibition last fall! I made new friends and some who I now get to hangout with even outside of the Strand, whether it’s grabbing a slice or catching up while sipping drinks downtown. Being here allowed me that opportunity to put myself out there. These experiences are things I never would have done if I hadn’t taken the leap and invested in myself. Signing up as a member opened doors for me, and what I got from it was more than just what you see on paper – it was what it gave me on the inside. Discovering parts of myself I forgot were there, and parts and people I never knew I would have in my life.

Choosing to join a local art center, being a member at the Strand Center of the Arts, it’s an active decision in choosing yourself, it’s supporting something you love, it’s being part of a community. As the month of May passes by and spring begins to transition to summer – consider a season of change for yourself, as a creative and as a lover of the arts. How will you choose to enrich, energize and engage with who you want to be?