Exhibit “Generations” and “Wool and Water” | Blue Mountain Lake | Now to June 24, 2026
- Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts 8897 New York 30 Blue Mountain Lake, New York, 12812 United States (map)
Art, Guideboats, and Science Converge in Blue Mountain Lake
Photos courtesy Adirondack Lakes Arts Center.
Visitors looking for a deeper connection to Adirondack culture this June will find it inside the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake.
The Arts Center's current exhibitions, "Generations" and "Wool and Water," remain on view through June 24, offering a thoughtful blend of Adirondack history, craftsmanship, fine art, and environmental science.
Together, the exhibits create a fascinating conversation about place, legacy, and the enduring relationship between people and the waters and forests of the Adirondacks.
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Two exhibits, one Adirondack story.
At first glance, the exhibitions appear quite different.
One explores guideboats, painting, photography, and Adirondack heritage. The other uses fiber art and ecological data to visualize changing water conditions.
Yet both exhibitions ask a similar question: How do people interpret and understand the Adirondack landscape?
The answers unfold through two distinctly Adirondack perspectives.
Generations celebrates Adirondack makers.
Curated by Hallie Bond, "Generations" brings together the work of Long Lake artists Matt Burnett and the late Fred Burns.
The exhibition includes paintings, photographs, and guideboats that reveal how each artist engaged with Adirondack life through both creativity and practical skill.
For Adirondack visitors, guideboats often symbolize a romantic era of wilderness exploration. Here, they become something more personal.
Burnett, a professional artist and guide, developed a connection to guideboats during his childhood adventures in the William C. Whitney Wilderness area. Today, he remains one of the few Adirondack guides who still uses guideboats with clients while also restoring historic vessels.
Fred Burns followed a different path. A self-taught painter and guideboat builder, he began constructing guideboats in his seventies and ultimately built more than a dozen before he died in 1989.
The exhibit highlights the parallels between the two men while tracing the influence of Adirondack history across generations. Visitors will also learn about Burnett's current work with Northern Forest Explorers, which continues the tradition of connecting people to the region through outdoor experiences.
Hear more from Matt Burnett on ADK Talks.
Long before his work appeared in "Generations," Matt Burnett joined ADK Talks to discuss the unique balance between guiding, painting, and living closely with the Adirondack landscape.
In the conversation, Burnett shares stories from a lifetime spent exploring remote waterways, restoring historic guideboats, and finding artistic inspiration in places most visitors never see. It's an insightful companion to the exhibition, offering a deeper understanding of the experiences that continue to shape his work today.
Listen below before—or after—your visit to the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.
ADK Talks: Matt Burnett discusses Adirondack guiding, guideboats, wilderness travel, and how life on the water influences his paintings.
In this ADK Talks episode, Adirondack guide and artist Matt Burnett explores the traditions, landscapes, and guideboat culture that visitors will encounter in the "Generations" exhibition at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake.
Wool and Water turns science into art.
Just steps away, visitors encounter a very different but equally compelling interpretation of the Adirondack landscape.
"Wool and Water" is the work of ecologist and fiber artist Michale Glennon, Ph.D. Using wool, color, texture, and scientific data, Glennon creates visual representations of changing water conditions throughout the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain Basin.
The result is striking.
What might otherwise exist as charts, graphs, or research papers becomes tactile and accessible. Visitors can literally see patterns, trends, and environmental change translated into fiber art.
Glennon's work reflects her belief that nature offers both inspiration and lessons. The exhibit invites viewers to consider how art can deepen understanding of environmental issues while remaining visually beautiful.
Why this exhibit feels uniquely Adirondack.
Many galleries display art inspired by nature.
Few bring together guideboats, wilderness history, local craftsmanship, ecological science, and contemporary fiber art under one roof.
That combination feels distinctly Adirondack.
The exhibitions celebrate both tradition and innovation while highlighting the many ways people continue to engage with the region's lakes, forests, and waterways. Whether through paintbrushes, cedar guideboats, scientific fieldwork, or wool fibers, the Adirondacks remain an enduring source of inspiration.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Plan to spend at least an hour exploring both exhibits.
Start with "Generations" to gain a deeper appreciation of Adirondack guideboat culture, then move on to "Wool and Water" for a fresh perspective on the region's environmental story. Afterward, enjoy a meal or snack at Chef Darrell’s Mountain Diner, take a drive around Blue Mountain Lake or visit the nearby Adirondack Experience museum campus to continue the cultural immersion.
Who should attend.
This exhibit is a natural fit for:
Adirondack history enthusiasts
Artists and photographers
Paddlers and guideboat fans
Museum and gallery visitors
Travelers exploring the Blue Mountain Lake area
Anyone interested in conservation and environmental science
Event details.
What: "Generations" and "Wool and Water" Exhibitions
Where: Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Dates: Through June 24, 2026
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Visitors are encouraged to check the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts website or Facebook page for the latest information before traveling.
For more curated Adirondack events, hidden gems, food finds, and cultural experiences, subscribe to ADK Taste's weekly newsletter, In Good Taste. It's the easiest way to stay connected to what's happening across the Adirondacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current exhibit at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts?
The current exhibitions are "Generations" and "Wool and Water," both on display through June 24, 2026.
Where is the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts located?
The Arts Center is located in Blue Mountain Lake in the central Adirondacks.
How much time should visitors plan for the exhibit?
Most visitors will want at least one hour to explore both exhibitions.
What is "Generations" about?
The exhibit explores the work and shared Adirondack legacy of artists Matt Burnett and Fred Burns through paintings, photographs, and guideboats.
What is "Wool and Water" about?
It is a fiber art exhibition by ecologist Michale Glennon that transforms scientific water-quality data into visual art.
What are the gallery hours?
The exhibits are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm and closed Monday and Tuesday.
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