As the leaves change their colors in the crisp air, merchants in Malone have added a bit more color to downtown businesses, with the help of several artists. The town project aims to attract more commerce to the area, while giving shoppers something pretty and educational to view in the store windows.
Thanks to a $500 grant from Adirondack Frontier for paint and supplies, and a generous discount from Sherwin Williams, Foothills Art Society was able to partner with the Malone Chamber of Commerce to create the initiative Art to Market, where volunteer artists got matched with local businesses to create temporary window treatments. Each window needed to reflect the business as well as an aspect of either the history, people or natural beauty of the North Country.
Organizer Barry Armstrong, a board member of both the Foothills Art Society and the Malone Chamber of Commerce, says he wanted to bring some fun, public art to Malone with the North Country as the unifying theme. Additionally, given the difficulties businesses have experienced as of late, organizers hope bringing attention to some of the storefronts in town would also help to generate more business.
Spotlight producer Paul Larson spoke with Armstrong about the windows art project.
Art To Market Scavenger Hunt
Within each participating business/artist’s window is hidden a small item, either real, or painted, to discover. It might be an acorn, a bumble bee or a star. Go to Foothills Art Society’s FaceBook page for details on how and when to play, and how to possibly win a cash prize for yourself and a favorite school art teacher! Also, while you are in downtown Malone shopping and looking at all the art, get a picture of yourself in front of the painted wings at 454 East Main Street. You can’t miss them!
Participating businesses and artists
Serendipity Salon and Day Spa
337 East Main Street
Artist: Whitney Reuss
Elite Nutrition
246 West Main Street
Artist: Carter Beitz
Fountain’s Enchanted Florist
1487 County Highway 25
Artist: Ally Johnson
Flemings Fine Furniture
424 East Main Street
Artist: Marie Engels
Tiffany’s Dance Studio
446 East Main Street
Artists: Marilyn MacAbee & Sally Derouchie
Nelson’s Flower Shop
420 East Main Street
Artist: Susan Skinner
Focal point (Smart Tux)
383 W. Main Street
Artist: Elizabeth Meraz
Painted Wings
454 East Main Street
Artists: Barry Armstrong & Susan Skinner
Painted fox in the woods
454 East Main Street
Artist: Lorrie Mandigo
Winning Window Art
The window grouping judged to be the most successful was painted by Marie Engels for Flemings Fine Furniture. The win resulted in $500 worth of advertising provided by radio station WICY. Engels received a $75 gift certificate from the Chamber of Commerce and a dinner for two provided by the Hearth of Malone, a new restaurant in town that specializes in locally sourced foods.
Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. Spotlight is also supported by Hill and Hollow Music.