The award was presented by Suzy McBroom, SLC Arts' executive director, as a surprise to Scott during SLC Arts' Regional Arts Celebration event on Feb. 9.

Each year, SLC Arts recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the arts in our area. The names of these community leaders are engraved on a plaque that hangs in the SLC Arts offices in Potsdam.

Mark Scott was described in nominations as an “...enthusiastic, eager, dedicated, involved community member and businessman, who strongly and successfully promotes the Arts in the North Country. His ideas are innovative, and encompass diverse forms of art.”

Scott is the owner of Artworks Creperie Café in downtown Waddington which hosts and sells the work of area artisans. He was instrumental in the 2016 opening of Lake St. Lawrence Arts, an artist cooperative based in Waddington.

Community members who recommended Scott for the award described his vision for Waddington as “...an art community, a place where artists can work, live and display their work…”

In addition to his Waddington-focused service to the arts, Scott has supported the arts across St. Lawrence County for years through the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, serving on the board of directors from 2013-2018. He was the board president from 2015-2017 and treasurer in 2018.

More information about the Arts Recognition Award and its history is available at http://slcartscouncil.org/arts-recognition-award/. Public nominations are considered by SLC Arts' board of directors.