On Sunday, May 19th, the non-for-profit organization Celebrate St James hosted State, County, and Town Officials, as well as local residents at the Lake Avenue Gazebo to commemorate an official Cultural Arts District, located along Lake Avenue in the hamlet of St. James. The ceremony included a custom artwork unveiling by local artist Arline Goldstein, ceremonial toast, and ribbon cutting. The ceremony was led by Natalie Weinstein of Celebrate St. James. The organization was also responsible for approaching the Town of Smithtown with the vision of creating a Cultural Arts District along Lake Avenue.
“There has always been something about St. James that has fostered community pride. It was and is a place where people have come together in the past and still do… it is a place where, no matter who we are or what we think, we always share one commonality – we love our hometown.” – Natalie Weinstein
Designated Cultural Arts Districts have helped towns and cities to serve as a powerful economic driver when coinciding with revitalization efforts. Small New York towns such as Woodstock and Patchogue have established a proven economic growth through carefully designated districting, planning, and downtown revitalization efforts. Supervisor Ed Wehrheim asked the crowd of enthusiastic residents to envision the future Lake Avenue as it undergoes a renaissance, as they mark the occasion with the ribbon cutting.
“An artist looks at life around him or her and sees something that most of us can not… They see colors on a blank canvas, they see the finished product looking at a blueprint. They hear a song in their heads reading sheet music… They see potential. They see an extraordinary future. As we cut this ribbon today, I ask that you take a moment, find your inner artist… And imagine the potential.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
The Town Board voted unanimously on April 25th to declare an overlay cultural arts district along Lake Avenue in St James. The district encompasses Lake Avenue from Route 25A (at the St. James Firehouse) on the north end down to Woodlawn Avenue on the south end. The next steps will involve the appointing of a Cultural Arts committee to work within the community to foster and attract local artists, musicians, and cultural and entertainment businesses.
The Cultural Arts District is intended to highlight the arts, culture, and entertainment for residents and visitors alike, creating much needed attractions, tourism, and foot traffic along the St. James small business district.