Building on 50 years of the arts, community, and culture in Tupper Lake

Tupper Arts is a vibrant visual and performing arts organization located in the heart of beautiful Tupper Lake. Although a relatively new 501 (C) (3) corporation, incorporated in 2018, Tupper Arts builds on more than 50 years of a community dedicated to the arts.  Starting in 1976 as the Tupper Lake Arts Council and later becoming “Tupper Lake Presents”, a committed group of volunteers have brought a variety of art exhibits and musical performances to this small community. The Annual Tupper Lake Art Show, a signature event over the past five decades, continues under the aegis of Tupper Arts.

In 2017, Louise McNally, in “concert” with performing-arts professionals George and Elizabeth Cordes, infused new energy and innovation into the arts in Tupper Lake. Louise recruited local artists and patrons to become the new members of the volunteer board and created Tupper Arts, Inc. The following year, Tupper Arts moved into its new home at 106 Park Street in the uptown business district of Tupper Lake. Three years later, Tupper Arts purchased the property to create a permanent home. In 2022, necessary renovations and the construction of a new facade were completed with donor funds and a grant from the New York State Main Street program. Tupper Arts boasts a large gallery space and a gift shop that showcases artists and artisans and their work throughout the year.

With volunteer support and generous donations, Tupper Arts has been offering classes in the arts for children and adults, live concerts, dance, and theatre, visual-arts exhibits, lectures, and many other activities. We also provide a year-round venue for art shows and sales.  The Summer Sunset Series of music and theatre performances, held two evenings a week for free at the Flander’s Park bandshell, has become a must-see experience for residents and visitors to the Adirondacks. The Little Loggers Series, donor-sponsored free children’s shows every Friday during July and August, draws young children and their caregivers to a delightful midday performance. The Jane Gillis Art Camp offers high school age artists an opportunity for expanding their skills in a fun and relaxed setting.

Preserving a Legacy,
Building a Future

In 2024, Tupper Arts purchased the Adirondack State Theater next door to the arts center on Park Street. Work is planned soon to transform this 1914 movie theater into a state-of-the-art performing-arts venue, while continuing to offer first-run movies and other films.

Tupper Arts strives to offer most of its events, classes, and performances at little or no cost to its participants. It is through the generous support of private donors and the following organizations that Tupper Arts is able to meet this goal: the New York State Council on the Arts, the Adirondack Community Foundation, the Cloudsplitter Foundation, the Aseel Family Foundation, The Jane Gillis Foundation, Stewart’s Shops, ADK for Kids Foundation, the Lake Placid Education Foundation, the Jane and Carol Pearsall Foundation, the Charles R Wood Foundation, and our many business and individual sponsors!

Black and white photograph of the front of a vintage movie theater with two men standing outside. The theater has three large archways, decorative trim, and movie posters displayed on posts near the entrance.
Black and white photograph of the front of a vintage movie theater with two men standing outside. The theater has three large archways, decorative trim, and movie posters displayed on posts near the entrance.

Evie Longhurst
Director of Operations
evielonghurst@tupperarts.org

Meet our staff

George Cordes
Director of Performing Arts
georgecordes@tupperarts.org

Samuel Brown
Theater Manager
samuelbrown@adirondackstatetheater.org

Meet the Board of Directors

President: Susan Delehanty

Vice President: Theresa Mitrowitz

Secretary: Donna Sloan

Treasurer: Jay Martin

Past President: Louise McNally

Andrew Chary

Elizabeth Cordes

Brian del Toro

Edward J. Donnelly

Emily Garlock

Sylvia Goodman

Joseph Sellin

Rena V. Sellin

Noelle Short