About
History
The Upper Jay Art Center (UJAC) was founded by Scott and Byron Renderer in 2005 as a place to enjoy music, theater, and visual art. In 2008, it incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and, with a wink and a nod the brothers, upholsterers by trade, named the performance space the Recovery Lounge. Over the past decade, the Lounge has become an essential gathering place in the Ausable River Valley, bringing an eclectic array of professional musicians to this rural corner of the northeast Adirondacks throughout the year and staging plays by classic and contemporary playwrights, acted by an ever expanding troupe of local talent. UJAC also hosts play and poetry readings, performance art, dance, and art exhibits. All events are affordable and many are free. Guests can expect a relaxed environment with warm acoustics, comfortable vintage furniture, and a diverse audience of all ages.
In 2023, UJAC’s founding Artistic Director, Scott Renderer, stepped down, passing the baton to a new generation of artistic leadership. Gabrielle Schutz, an interdisciplinary theater artist, is UJAC’s new Artistic Director, with plans to offer a fresh perspective while maintaining the legacy of the Upper Jay Art Center’s Recovery Lounge.
UJAC is located in a former Ford assembly plant and showroom on Route 9N at the heart of Upper Jay. Built in 1920, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Board of Directors
Casey Galligan, Chair
Lisa Bramen-French, Vice Chair
Frank Pagano, Treasurer
Peter Hahn, Secretary
Caitlin Kelly
Brian LaVallee
Chris Radey
Artistic Director
Gabrielle Schutz
Founder
Scott Renderer
Advisory Board
Jim Bernard
Ted Cornell
Elizabeth Davidson
Susan Doolittle
Sam Fisk
Eliana Godoy
Jim Herman
Greg Jeffers
Eric Klotzko
Stephen Longmire
Dan Mason
Dave Mason
Bear Miller
Roger Mitchell
Debbie Rice
Tim Robinson
Peter Seward
Martha Pritchard Spear
Annie Stoltie
Martha Swan
Chase Twichell
Peg Wilson
Sue Young
Recent press:
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National Public Radio - A Beloved Open Mic Event Returns After Pandemic Hiatus - January 2023 NEW
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Last January Jams Airs Sunday - January 2021
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Local musicians stand Six Feet Together - March 2020
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Those Whacky Norwegians coming - Feb 2020
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NCPR - The Norwegians are coming - to Upper Jay next week - Feb 2020
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Lake Placid News - ON THE SCENE: The beat goes on at the Upper Jay Art Center - Jan 2020
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Plattsburgh Press Republican - Play says a lot without hardly saying anything - July 2019
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WhitefaceRegion.com - Upper Jay Art Center: A Great Place To Pass Time - July 2019
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Hiroya Tsukamoto performs Saturday at Recovery Lounge - Nov 2018
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Famous Letter Writer band Saturday at the Recovery Lounge - Nov 2018
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Rockin' at the Recovery Lounge - Nov 2018
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Adirondack Daily Enterprise – Upper Jay Art Center Offers Musical Fun In January Jams – Jan 2018
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Listen to the NPR Interview with “Pillowman” play Director, Scott Renderer – Nov 2017
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NCPR – Preview of Becoming Dr. Ruth in Upper Jay – July 2017
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Plattsburgh Press Republican – Senior Shenanigans To Erupt At Recovery Lounge – Feb 2017
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NCPR – Preview: “Circle Mirror Transformation” in Upper Jay – Oct 2016
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NCPR – Interview with Scott Renderer on the play, “Body Awareness” – July 2016
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Lake Placid News ON THE SCENE – Enjoying the January Jams – January 2016
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Plattsburgh Press Republican – Experimental British play explores data overload – Fall 2015
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UP CLOSE – Renderer carves out a creative niche in Upper Jay (Lake Placid News)
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Plattsburgh Press Republican – Poker Hot Blues In Upper Jay – Russell Bailey – Fall 2014
Press
