About View
Arts and culture have been at the center of View since its inception when founder Miriam Kashiwa organized an art show on her front lawn in 1951. Today, our arts center in the heart of the Adirondacks provides art exhibitions, community events, performances, classes, and workshops for all to enjoy and take part in.
LEED Building
Prior to building its new home off of Route 28 in Old Forge, View sought to minimize its impact on the environment throughout all aspects of the development of the new building. This commitment to environmental stewardship resulted in:
- A state-of-the-art Geothermal Energy System that is used to heat and cool the building.
- Geothermal pumps powered in part by photovoltaic panels on the roof.
- A 50% reduction in cost from conventional oil and gas systems.
- Silver LEED certification in 2011.
The exterior construction of the building utilizes eco-star recycled rubber roofing, composite wood fiber siding, and a natural stone veneer. The interior of the building features a two-story exposed timber reception area with large, bright galleries featuring hardwood flooring throughout. View partnered with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop the project to register it under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building rating system.
A Rich History
View is an arts and cultural center for area residents and visitors to experience art in many ways, and to explore art by participating in classes, workshops, and exhibitions.
Miriam “Mirnie” Kashiwa organizes the first Central Adirondack Art Show, a regional art show in her front yard, with paintings hung on “walls” made from tree saplings and chicken wire. The Central Adirondack Art Show is still held every Spring and celebrated it’s 70th Anniversary in 2021.
After finding many temporary homes for over a decade, the newly formalized Arts Guild of Old Forge finds a permanent home in a former Boat Repair Shop on Route 28 on the end of Old Forge.
Mirnie Kashiwa opens the first Pre-School in the area, known as the Kinderwood Early Education Program, with a permanent home in the Arts Center.
With programming beginning to outgrow the space, discussions begin to design and build a new building for the Arts Guild to take the organization to the next level.
Starting a new chapter, construction on a new 28,000 sq. ft. building is completed and opens with a new name, View, and a larger space for the Kinderwood Program.
The U.S. Green Building Council awards a Silver LEED Certification to View for their efforts to minimize their environmental impact during construction and beyond. Some key features helping View’s certification include: geo-thermal heating and cooling, solar panels, and eco-star building materials used to minimize heat loss throughout the year.
While many similar organizations were closing down to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic, View kept their entire staff working remotely and provided virtual content throughout the shutdown, letting people bring the arts safely into their own home.
