TAHAWUS CULTURAL  CENTER, Au Sable Forks, is a 3-storey, former Masonic Lodge built in 1911, acquired by Appleby Foundation, Inc. in 2009 in neglected condition.  Appleby is the parent company of Rebecca Kelly Ballet which had since 1987, produced and presented high level, dance-based activities throughout the northern Adirondacks.  In 2009 it decided to put down permanent roots in the region with the acquisition of the old building, and began to focus efforts on the revitalization of its small town, contributing activities in the arts.  Today, after many and ongoing renovations and improvements, all made possible by crowdfunding, local business and grant support, volunteers and donors, and by much elbow grease on the part of the owners, Tahawus now brings programs of culture, health, and education to youth and adults, to residents and visitors, adding to the arts movement in Ausable Valley region.

 

The upper two floors are home to Windows Gallery and Cloudsplitter Dance Studio, where over 1500 visitors have enjoyed events, classes, celebrations and explorations in art, dance, music, STEM Labs for youth, a cultural film series, workshops focused on early childhood and women leadership, and community events. 

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Cloudsplitter Dance Studio:  When we can gather, we offer jiu jitsu workshops for kids, senior adult movement classes spring-fall, and summer private instruction for advanced ballet students. The dance studio has provided the North Country Ballet Ensemble with a central location for preparation of their regional fall production of The Nutcracker Ballet, involving over 65 young dancers (and their families). NOW, some instruction is available ONLINE. 

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Tahawus Windows Gallery:  Wide-ranging exhibits and symposia shine a spotlight on the talent and vision of local and visiting artists and educators.  TWO HIGHLIGHTS!  If we can’t greet you in person, look for the upcoming ONLINE Tahawus 10-Year Retrospective Celebration this summer.  Spanning the exhibits of our first decade, selections by local visual artists including Arto Monaco, Rockwell Kent, Mark Hobson, Jeri Wright, Todd Bissonette and MANY others, can be seen - at your leisure.  A second exhibit:  Adirondack Youth Artists, Art as an emotional expression and pathway to healing, curated by Deb Dube, LCSW.  Local youth demonstrate their skills and share their artistic creations in a(n ONLINE) gallery venue.

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Visit the website:  http://www.rebeccakellyballet.com/Pages/Tahawus%20home.html 

Explore our pages.

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