As a very busy summer season at View comes to a close, Executive Director Jennifer Potter Hayes sat down to reflect on where the arts facility has been and where it is going.

Hayes said the summer was hugely successful in terms of exhibitions, performances and the growing number of people taking advantage of classes, adding that several performances were sold out or at capacity.

“This was our third summer season in the current facility. We now have the experience of being in the new building and trying different things. We have a sense of what the public is interested in during different seasons which makes our planning much more tailored than it had been in the past. We’ve hit our stride in terms of what our programs can be and what the opportunities are,” she said.

Hayes reflected on the loss of two key staff members in the beginning of June: Exhibitions Man-ager Linda Weal and Marketing Manager Jody Pritchard.

“They contributed a tremendous amount to View and where we are today. Those were big losses,” she said.

However, she noted that current new hires—Cory Card as exhibitions manager and John Brennan as marketing manager—are very strong.

“They have brought just the right experience and expertise that will take View to a new level without losing sight of its roots, foundation and traditions,” Hayes said.

She also praised View’s many dedicated volunteers. In 2012, 164 of them logged 4,668 hours and she said they are right on track to match those numbers in 2013.

“We just couldn’t do the programming we do without this team of volunteers, many who have been with us from the very early days. We can’t thank them enough.”

View will continue to host the traditional shows including pastels, watercolor, the Central Adirondack Art Show and Quilts Unlimited, but will be changing the exhibition schedule for 2014.

This is, in part, to free up gallery space in the prime months of June through October to bring in more and new invitational artists.

New board members were announced at View’s annual meeting on August 27th. Elected to the board were Hugh Fox, Mark Hannah, Mark Webster and Joan Herrmann.

They replaced outgoing board members Deb Ritz, Kerry Rogers, Ed Stafford and Katie Noonan Wojdyla, who Hayes said made huge commitments when View needed their expertise.

Hayes said she was happy with View’s 2012 recently completed financial audit.

“We were really pleased with the way it shows View in a strong position in terms of our ability to support ourselves through our programming and to meet our debt obligations,” she said.

The total debt stands at $3.5 million, $1.8 million in the form of a mortgage with Kinderhook Bank and $1.7 million with the USDA. The 2013 goal is to raise $1 million.

“The development committee has been very active in terms of reaching out to donors. It’s an optimistic goal. If we reach it we’ll be thrilled, we won’t be terribly disappointed if we can’t—we’ll just keep hammering away at it,” Hayes said.

In regards to the former arts center building, this winter a committee will be looking at options for using the building next year for mission related activities.

Some ideas include low rent artist studios, workshop space, and for artists that work in large scale.

The Board plans to paint the outside of the building to make it look like it belongs with View.

A longer term plan for its use will be developed over the next two or three years.

Hayes acknowledges that a big challenge for View is the same one faced by others in the area—how to bring in revenue in the off-season.

“We’re committed to be open year round. We are looking at how to develop programs that will bring people here in the winter or to bring people to View that are already here, such as snowmobilers and skiers,” she said.

For 2014, the Eco Gallery will focus part of its programming and exhibits on water.

View has an APA permit to construct an outside wetland walkway. Everything is designed and ready and they hope to get a grant to get the project moving.

“It’s a very exciting new initiative for View,” Hayes said.

They staff is also expanding on areas of interest that have proven to be popular, such as children’s programming and the Eco Gallery.

For example, the Science on Sunday programs, handled by the Eco Gallery, have become very well attended.

The Gallery is managed by Cory Card and its volunteer committee works on programming and related fundraising.

This fall, View staff will put together a local focus group to get a sense of what the community would like to see at View. Anyone interested in participating can call Hayes or View at (315) 369-6411.