A Huge Thank You!
The 18th Annual Festival of Books was a magnificent community event, graced with beautiful weather and crowds of enthusiastic readers of all ages. We tallied record sales for this cornerstone fundraiser and are so grateful for your enthusiastic support and participation.
We wish to thank those who donated and shopped, authors who spoke, attendees who listened and especially the scores of volunteers who received, arranged, sorted, hauled, shuttled, baked, served and welcomed hundreds of guests over Labor Day Weekend.
A very special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped to Get the Festival off the Ground!
We couldn’t do it without all of you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. See you next year!
Upcoming Events And Activities
Trust Your Feet - A tutorial on practicing balance
Thurs., September 21, 12:30-2:00pm
Tai Chi practice helps us achieve balance. In this tutorial, taught by Fran Snyder, explore balance as a relearned skill to move through our days feeling secure and safe. Learn more.
Laura Anglade Quartet
September 22, 8:00pm
The Toronto-based jazz vocalist brings a fresh face to the vintage sound of classic jazz numbers in both French & English. Learn more.
Regional Juried Fine Art Show
September 30-October 29
Homes, Hamlets & Villages: Style and Lifestyle in Small Towns and Rural Communities. A gallery show of juried work by over 50 artists in a range of media. Learn more.
Homes, Hamlets & Villages:
Style and Lifestyle in Small Towns and Rural Communities
Opening Reception
Saturday, September 30
4:00-6:00pm
Join us for this special gallery show opening reception. Learn more. 
Heather Maloney
Saturday, October 7, 8:00pm
Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney, a unique talent who combines brilliant storytelling with a stunning voice. Learn more. 
Climate Change:
The Activists Among Us
Sunday, October 15, 2:00pm
It’s not too late to save the planet! A panel of local luminaries will talk about their activities to slow climate change and answer questions. Learn more.
“Like Swimming in Air”
The Art of Tai Chi for Beginners
October 19-January 18
Build physical strength and endurance, and encourage relaxation of the body and calmness of the mind. Learn more. 
Still Here: A Survival Story of Indigenous People
Sunday, November 5, 2:00pm
Heather Bruegl M.A. (Oneida/Stockbridge-Munsee) will discuss the Indigenous people of our area, how they loved the land and continue to improve their community. Learn more.
All Write, Columbia:
Fall Fiction Writers' Conference
November 9-12
A four day intensive writing conference focused on the craft and the business of writing fiction. Open to all levels of fiction writers. Learn more.
Young Writers’ Contest Winners Announced!
Our judges have deliberated and have chosen winners in both Fiction & Non-Fiction categories. See this year's winners and read the work from these talented young writers. Learn more.
Call to Artists: Announcing the 8th Annual Members' Show
November 18-December 10, 2023
This annual show is a thank-you to all of our members. This is not a juried show and there is no submission fee. See the prospectus. 
Annual Appeal
Help to support our mission of Building Community Through the Arts, 50 years and going strong. Make your tax deductible gift today.
Watch and Listen to PAST Programming
Dexter Palmer & Rishi Reddi
Discuss their works of historical fiction with Daphne Kalotay. Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Peter Sis
Discusses his book Nicky and Vera- A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued, with Carl Atkins.
Watch the video.
Rick Rogers
Learn how to make Almas Pite, a delicious Hungarian apple pie.
In conversation with Madaline Sparks. Watch the interview.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Become a Member
We're dedicated to programs in a welcoming space for our Columbia County community and neighbors. Learn More
Summer/Fall 2023 Newsletter Now Available
Lots in store for the upcoming season.
See the latest as well as past newsletters.
