The passion and the purpose have never been in a better place. BluSeed is alive and teeming with activity. It has great programs that are funded by the most discerning of funders. But the events of the pandemic and post pandemic era have impacted the sources of funds for heat and light and the mortgage. We have a plan for that but implementing that plan will take six to nine months and we need a bridge to those funds and that long term stability. We need a hand to make our way across that bridge. We need our neighbors and friends and those who value art and artists and the open and welcoming place that is BluSeed to be that helping hand.

While we are asking for support, there is the question “what is the plan beyond this emergency fundraising effort?” BluSeed has a three-tiered plan, the first of which is the gofundme effort, which will help keep the doors open for the next several months while we ramp up our longer term fundraising plans.

The second tier, which is getting the most attention from the board right now, and for the next few months, is to build the board, bringing in the people that believe in BluSeed’s mission and have the passion and interest in seeing it be a financially healthy organization … in other words, people with skill sets and connections to those that have the wherewithal to address BluSeed’s day to day expenses, so that it can continue to provide the programming that it is known for … interested? … see below.

The third tier is long term. BluSeed has the facilities and history of providing a unique art workshop/residency experience … but, frankly, it has never been developed to its real potential … and that is as a true arts educational center. BluSeed has the facilities but is also located in one of the most desirable places to spend time: the Adirondacks … and, it’s in the funky arts town of Saranac Lake (and a 15-minute drive to one of the best known sports communities in the world).

All of these elements are appealing to those that want to grow their knowledge and skills as artists. BluSeed Studios has hosted in the past, nationally renowned artists in residence that taught classes and workshops at BluSeed, taking advantage of the studios that are available at BluSeed, in the beautiful Adirondacks. This is a product that is very viable, but never truly, fully embraced in BluSeed’s past (in other words, we’ve never really marketed this well in the past). A fully involved arts education center is the long term direction of BluSeed, to offer workshops taught by well recognized artists to those that are looking for that kind of immersive art experience, in a spectacular location.

BluSeed will always continue offering opportunities to those that live here. But, by marketing beyond the North Country region the programming that would actually generate the kind of “cash flow” needed to sustain a facility like BluSeed, through the immersive arts workshops and residencies, BluSeed’s future is sustainable. These are lofty goals, some of which will be accomplished (with our community’s support) in the short run, and some of which will take time to build.

For much greater detail about how that impact of sources of funds for heat and lights and the mortgage (and so much more) came about, and more detail about our long term plans, read the presidents statement on the current BluSeed Studios financial state on the home page of the BluSeed website (bluseedstudos.org).

If you would like to be a part of the long-term effort to keep BluSeed Studios healthy, join us in our board development and fundraising efforts. Email admin@bluseedstudios.org, call: 518-891-3799, visit 24 Cedar St. and talk with BluSeed Executive Director Marissa Hernandez or stop by my studio on Main Street and we can chat about BluSeed opportunities.

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(Mark Kurtz is the president of the BluSeed Studios Board of Directors in Saranac Lake.)