The North Country Arts Festival started on Aug. 31 and will continue until Oct. 8 for a month-long celebration of the arts. The St. Lawrence County (SLC) Arts Council is hosting the festival for the second consecutive year. The North Country Arts Festival seeks to highlight the arts industry in the region.  

Several events have already occurred as part of the North Country Arts Festival. To start off the festival, an adult-only Art After Dark Burlesque Show was held on Aug. 31 featuring The Rougettes, an Ottowa, ON based troupe. On Saturday, Sept. 3, there was the Potsdam Porchfest. Local porches in downtown Potsdam served as a stage for performers. Community members were encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the various stoop shows.  

Below is a schedule of the upcoming events: 

Friday, Sept. 9 

• Ives Park Concert Series  

Saturday, Sept. 10- Sunday, Sept. 11 

•  Studio Tours in Norwood, Massena and Akwesasne 

Wednesday, Sept. 14 

• Exhibit Opening/Poetry Reading “Stories of the Past” 

Friday, Sept. 16 

• Ives Park Concert Series 
• Cinema 10 outdoor movie 

Saturday, Sept. 17- Sunday, Sept. 18 

• Studio Tour in Canton and Gouverneur 

Saturday, Sept. 24- Sunday, Sept. 25 

• Studio Tour in Ogdensburg, Madrid and Waddington 

Saturday, Oct. 1- Sunday, Oct. 2 

• Studio Tour in Potsdam, Parishville and Colton 

Saturday, Oct. 1 

• ` Regional Arts Celebration 

Saturday, Oct. 8 

• Remington Arts Festival  

Included in the Sept. 17-18 Studio Tour is a stop at St. Lawrence University. The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery in Griffiths Arts Center will host a studio tour, perfect for any student who wants to attend an Arts Festival Event but does not have a car.  

For more details, visit the SLC Arts Council Website. Along with more information on the festival, there is also an artist directory, events calendar, art class registration and a blog.