Albany’s Art Community Continues to Grow
As I take the time to think back to the Panel Discussion Series entitled 3 Course Discourse facilitated by Albany Center Gallery, sponsored by The New York State Council on the Arts, administered the by Women’s Studio Workshop, I can’t help but smile.
One and half years ago, 300 members of the community met in The Albany Public Library to talk about the art community. The first discussion was an open dialogue about available growth opportunities for the emerging artist. The second discussion addressed the role of public art in the community. The final discussion addressed how art and media work jointly and participants discussed the importance of cultivating methods of collaboration between art organizations and the media.
I have witnessed first hand, since that time, artists have had more opportunities to exhibit their work such as at the Madison Theatre, Amrose Sable Gallery, Boutiques, Upstate Artist Guild, The Ultra Violet Cafe, Bad As Art, 52 James Street at Envision Architects, Grand Street Community arts at St. Anthony’s Church and many more. The Photo Center opened in Troy founded by Nicholas Argyros and Directed by Nick Reinert, whom facilitated all of the panel discussions a years and a half ago. The growth of 1st Friday is significant, and now Troy Night Out, Art Night Schenectady, and Saratoga’s First Thursday has stormed the Capital Region with a vibrant Arts and Culture scene. Additionally, the Downtown Business Improvement District is organizing Sculpture in the Streets to kick of July 17. Lastly, I am so pleased with the new Art and Fashion magazine called UPSTATE and the Capital Region edition of Chronogram. Please check out Spring review of the new Albany Center Gallery space, and my Art Critique Column starting in the Summer edition. On the Chronogram Capital District, the cover picture comes straight from the current exhibit at Albany Center Gallery, Stencil, Tint, Print: Works by Chris Stain, Robert Gullie and Laura Glazer. I am looking forward to continued growth in the next year and a half as I anticipate more people living in Downtown Albany, and a healthy arts and cultural scene in the Capital Region and beyond.
