Artist Frank Owen discusses his work with neighbor Tom Fine in July 2015 at Owen’s home in Keene Valley, part of the Saranac Lake ArtWorks Studio Tour. (Enterprise photo — Matthew Turner)

SARANAC LAKE — Saranac Lake ArtWorks, founded in 2008, announced July 2 it has achieved nonprofit status as a 501(c)3 organization.

With that status, it can receive tax-deductible charitable donations. Up to now, the group has operated without direct donations, replying instead on membership fees, event sponsors, grants and art sales commissions for funding.

Saranac Lake ArtWorks has brought local artists, galleries and cultural organizations together to market their events and work collectively. It has also presented its own signature events such as Studio Tours and the Adirondack Plein Air Festival, and it took over the Art Walks on the third Thursday of each summer month from the Art Walks’ founder Tim Fortune.

“The main goal of the organization has always been to use the arts for a positive economic impact on the community,” Sandra Hildreth, one of Saranac Lake ArtWorks’ founding members, said in a press release. “It is believed that the arts will often attract visitors who then discover and value other aspects of the region.”

Saranac Lake ArtWorks has also expanded outside Saranac Lake, now representing individual artists, galleries and arts organizations from Saratoga Springs to Plattsburgh, and from Montreal to Tupper Lake.