Allison is a multi-disciplinary artist who dabbles in a variety of art forms, focused on always adding new artistic tools to their repertoire. Allison studied digital arts, communication, and data analytics at Clarkson University where they learned all about coding, graphic design, programmatic art, writing, photography, and data storytelling. She was a recipient of 2016 McHenry award which funded an interactive installation at BIRE called "Hudson River Science: A Data-Driven Interpretive Exhibit." Since returning to the north country in 2023, Allison has participated in several SLC programs including the Plein Air festival and several community exhibits. Allison also had a solo show at the Ogdensburg International Airport in 2024 called "BALANCE" that consisted of double exposed digital photography across NYS. Her main goals have always been making information and arts more accessible, allowing more perspectives to be seen, heard, and shared. She is always up for a learning new medium - through taking a class or teaching it!
rockhollowfarm572@gmail.com
Dayna Lancaster’s journey with the fiber arts began at eight years old, knitting and sewing through 4-H, guided by her mother, Dancy Noble—herself a North Country artist. Over the years, Dayna dabbled in watercolor and acrylic painting, but it wasn’t until later in life that she truly found her artistic home: fiber. What started with a love of knitting and garment sewing evolved into a passion for spinning yarn and creating one-of-a-kind heirloom quilts. For Dayna, playing with color—whether in yarn or fabric—is pure joy. Recently, she and her husband added The Shed to their farm, a cozy creative space that houses her long arm quilting machine, her fiber arts shop, and a welcoming studio for classes and collaboration. It’s a place where creativity is shared, stories are told, and learning is encouraged. Dayna creates hand-crafted knitted pieces and heirloom quilts. When working individually, she creates pieces which capture the vision of each client. She also offers group classes and private lessons in knitting, spinning, quilting, sewing, and fiber processing—always with warmth, encouragement, and a belief that anyone can learn with a little guidance, a touch of humor, and a lot of heart.
Born in Nicaragua, Esthela is a poet and visual artist. Author of several books including the pioneering book of ethnobotanical poetry Soplo de Corriente Vital (2008), Coyol Quebrado (2012), the bilingual anthology The Bones of My Grandfather (2018) and Paper Beehive (2022).Her Poetry has been anthologized in The Mind of Plants: Narratives of Vegetal Intelligence, Ayahuasca Reader: Encounters with the Amazon's Sacred Vine, El Consumo de lo Que Somos: Muestra de Poesía Ecológica Hispánica Contemporánea, Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology, and The Latin American Eco-Cultural Reader. Her work as a visual artist was featured in individual exhibitions at the art gallery of the Municipal Building of St. Lawrence County in Potsdam, NY: Inside the Ancestral Current (2017) and Pollen (2019) sponsored by SLC Arts. Work has also been featured at SUNY Potsdam in 2017 and the Brush Gallergy at SLU (2019-2023). She is now a creative designer for the global fabric and wallpaper company Spoonflower
Kaly is an artist that started with pencil drawing, then tole painting and oil painting. She now finds her happy place decorating dog treats with sugar-free icing. She was born in Montreal and moved to Akwesasne 25 years ago.
Katie Schuler is an art educator, woodworker and owner of Schuler Woodworks in Potsdam, NY.
In her thirteen years of teaching, Katie has had a variety of experiences and the opportunity to teach students at every grade level. She finds immense joy in the ingenuity of students at every age level and works to facilitate a safe space for them to continue their creative work.
As a woodworker, she has been creating pieces for over a decade. Her hope is to share her love for woodworking with others through custom furniture, artworks, jewelry and functional household items. When creating larger woodworks, she saves each small piece not used and repurposes it to give it new life. Conservation of materials is integral in every decision she makes.
Kelley Martin is a writer, arts leader, and community strategist whose work bridges traditional music, dance, writing, and cultural engagement. With more than two decades of experience across the Mid Atlantic and Appalachian regions, she has curated, promoted, and produced hundreds of events—from intimate youth workshops to large scale festivals featuring national artists such as Béla Fleck, Altan, Mary Black, and Dr. Ralph Stanley presented at institutions including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History, and North Carolina State University.
Kelley’s artistic practice is rooted in cultural preservation and creative innovation. As a writer, she explores her upbringing in rural West Virginia and the ways that leaving—and returning to—remote landscapes shapes identity, memory, and belonging. Now based in the Adirondack–Tug Hill region, she is committed to building an arts ecosystem where collaboration, mutual support, and regional storytelling thrive. This vision led her to found the Tug Hill Artist Network, a collaborative hub for artists working across the North Country.Her passion for inclusive, intergenerational arts experiences has guided her work in education and community programming. As Education Director at the Arts Centre in Martinsburg, West Virginia, she developed puppetry, folklore, and dance programs for children ages 6–12. She has partnered with Johns Hopkins University, North Carolina State University, and the Maryland State Department of Education to design curriculum, lead professional development, and build digital platforms that support arts learning and early childhood development.
Kelley’s leadership in community outreach includes rebranding festivals, coordinating Main Street initiatives for the City of Westminster, Maryland, and developing youth poetry and writing programs for at risk teens in Durham, North Carolina. She has served as a board member, grant writer, and communications strategist for organizations such as Carolina Wren Press, Carolina Ballet, and the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities. A skilled web designer and editor, she has led cross functional teams to build accessible, content rich educational websites for the Maryland State Department of Education.
Across every role, Kelley champions the transformative power of the arts—celebrating heritage, amplifying diverse voices, and cultivating vibrant, connected communities through creative collaboration.
She holds an MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore, an MA in English from North Carolina State University, and a BA in Liberal Arts/Journalism from St. Andrews University.
For more information, visit the Tug Hill Artist Network.
Robin is the owner/operator of The Third Wheel Pottery Studio, a community studio in Potsdam, offering lessons, open studio time, clay sales, firing services, and hosting private events. She provides a safe, supportive environment for people of all skill levels to come in and get their hands dirty while experiencing the wonders of clay.
Shannon is a lifelong artist and community-driven creative who believes art is a powerful tool for connection, healing, and expression. A multidisciplinary maker, she works heavily with acrylic and mixed media, creating textured abstract pieces inspired by nature, emotion, and personal growth.
In addition to painting, she is experienced in photography, visual design, and collaborative creative projects. Shannon brings a spirit of curiosity, experimentation, and inclusivity to her work, encouraging others to explore their own creative voice.
Her intuitive approach allows each piece to evolve organically, resulting in work that feels both expressive and accessible. Shan is passionate about making art approachable for everyone and values opportunities to share creativity within community spaces.
Studio space to come...