MLK Saratoga and Skidmore College Present: The Inaugural MLK Weekend Celebration Student Arts Showcase

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Case Center Second Floor, Skidmore College

Featuring artwork, poetry and essays from local students inspired by the theme of this year’s 2026 Dr. King Weekend: “Love is the greatest force in the moral universe; it is the beating heart of the moral cosmos.”

Student artwork from:
Saratoga Independent School
Waldorf School of Saratoga
Maple Avenue Middle School
Saratoga Springs High School
Girl Scout Troop 3866 from Dorothy Nolan Elementary School

And: MLK Sing-Along with Division Street Elementary School!

We will also have artwork from CREATE Community Studios and local collage artist Francelise Dawkins, plus crafts and face-painting for all ages! Light refreshments served. Generously sponsored by Skidmore College with special thanks to the Office of Institutional Diversity!

Love is the Greatest Force:
The Theory and Practice of
Nonviolent Resistance

11a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Frederick Allen Lodge
69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

Join nonviolence practitioner Linda LeTendre and Skidmore professor Kate Graney for a workshop about the theory and practice of non-violence. Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy and practice of non-violence and how we can practice non-violence in our lives and in our communities to fight with love for the things that matter to us.

Family Saturday at the Tang

2 p.m.
Payne Room
Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery
Skidmore College

Join us for an art-making project inspired by the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. Suitable for children age 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis. More here

Civil Minds Think Alike

2:00-4:00 p.m.
Frederick Allen Lodge
69 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

An exploration of Dr. King’s values, how they inspire people, and how they connect with youth today. Led by Saratoga Springs high school students.

Dr. King Day of Service

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church
175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”-Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Honor Dr. King by Participating In The Dr. King Weekend Day Of Service! Activities and projects include:

• Book repair: Help repair gently used books so they can be gifted to others! Hosted by the Saratoga Children’s Literacy League.

• Blanket making: Saratoga Central Catholic will host a blanket making and pet food drive. Come make a cozy blanket that will be donated to a local pet shelter. Bring a donation of pet food or a gift card to PetSmart to help feed local pets in need.

• The MoonCatcher Project: Removing barriers for girls. Come help MoonCatcher make renewable menstrual management kits for distribution worldwide! Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. More info on the MoonCatcher Project and Capital Region Period Pantries here. More info on Saratoga Soroptimist here.

• History and Heritage: Learn about Saratoga Springs’ BIPOC heritage from the OURStory Treasure Hunt Project.

• Book Drive: Bring new and gently used children’s books (non-religious, infant through teen) that will be donated by Temple Sinai to local schools and community groups.

• Art Project: Help C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios transform antique chairs into unique works of art that will be auctioned to raise money for the Erasing Spaces and Faces project.

• Craft Project: Create wool angels with the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs.

• Create Pieces for Art in Public Spaces Effort: Join Youth Squared and Camp Stomping Ground for a Social Action Art Fair where youth create powerful art prints inspired by Dr. King’s words: “Love is the greatest force in the universe.” Finished artwork will hang in community-facing spaces, spreading messages of love, dignity, and hope.

• Community Service Organizations: Come learn about the important work done in our community by Saratoga PRIDE, League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, Saratoga Immigration Coalition, Frederick Allen Lodge, and Sustainable Saratoga.

Light lunch by Jackson Soul Catering and Bars without Boundaries following the projects at noon.

Music by the Indivisible ADK/Saratoga Music Team

We will also be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for donation to local food banks*

*Shelters of Saratoga has provided a wish list, which you can find here.

Dr. King Weekend
Community Celebration

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church
175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs

The highlight and culmination of our weekend, this uplifting community celebration will feature opening music by Soulist Garland Nelson, local speakers, and a keynote address by Minister Steven Boxley followed by a sing-a-long. Please join us to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King through fellowship and community.

Post celebration gathering featuring treats from Indulgence Bakery.