ACE PEOPLE

STEAM + A = Creative Activism : A Conversation with Kristen Holler

January 19, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

I first met Kristen Holler in her role at the Albany Barn. I have had the opportunity to work with her on projects there and in Schenectady at the Electric City Barn involving ACE! and my own production work with my company 2440 Design Studio. So when I was included on an email from Steve Pierce announcing her new position as Executive Director at the Sanctuary for Independent Media, I immediately knew that this could be a tremendous match for her and the organization. Focused and tireless, Kristen has a deep arts and community background. Though fresh on the job, I wanted to be a part of launching an awareness about her transition and have her share a quick update with us all about the amazing STEAM based approach that the Sanctuary is bringing to a neighborhood community and beyond.

Kristen Holler : Executive Director at The Sanctuary for Independent Media | Photo: Provided

Can you tell us a bit of your background and what you did before this?

Prior to coming to the Sanctuary for Independent Media I was the Executive Director of Albany Barn – a nonprofit org that supports artist development through a wide variety of technical assistance and subsidized/shared resource programs – from 2013 until 2022. In that time I helped to drive the opening of Electric City Barn in Schenectady, and served as a project manager for the Capital Walls public art initiative in collaboration with Albany Center Gallery. My professional background has been almost exclusively in the nonprofit space, but has been a combination of direct service and administrative roles across housing, employment, health, and arts organizations.

Live Performance at Freedom Square | Photo: Provided

The Sanctuary is so many things – from performance art, to science to activism…can you give us an idea of what the main areas of focus will be for you and why this position was attractive to you?

I think the thing that resonates most for me is that although the Sanctuary ‘is so many things,’ each of those things is linked back to the pursuit of social justice, and the use of creativity and independent expression as tools in that pursuit. I had the pleasure of working with and learning from Steve Pierce and Branda Miller – two of the organization’s founders – in my time at The Barn.

Branda Miller and Steve Pierce sitting with daughter Masha, and dog, Rose Fang. | Photo: Provided

It is an honor to step into this beautiful space that they’ve created, to build upon their legacy. My focus will be strengthening continuity and sustainability across the varied initiatives and programs and to provide strategic leadership in a time of transition.

Event Audience at Sanctuary for Independent Media. | Photo: Provided

Collard City Growers participants work the permaculture garden. | Photo: Provided

Can you share with us some meaningful ways in which the Sanctuary is making a difference in the lives of those who are in the neighborhood and beyond?

The Sanctuary’s varied programming really provides something for everyone, and the community of individuals who have created and driven this organization forward for the past 20+ years have shown a true dedication to remaining independent from corporate control and responsive to community input.

One of the major ways that The Sanctuary has impacted the immediate neighborhood is through investment in vacant lots and buildings, reactivating them for community use including Freedom Square – a public performance and gathering space; Collard City Growers – a food justice, arts, and permaculture project; NATURE Lab – a community science lab; and People’s Health Sanctuary – a community-led mutual aid health initiative. Another space where I think The Sanctuary has had real impact is in creating STEAM programming where the arts, sciences, and media are not silos, but an intersection of related disciplines where the arts are tools for scientific discovery, the sciences are a tools for creative expression, and media is the vehicle for sharing the process and the outcomes in ways that are accessible to a wider audience. (Editors Note: This!!)

The Sanctuary for Independent Media Main Entrance. | Photo: Provided

There has also been a consistent effort to develop and maintain strong community relationships with individuals and other organizations through these connections. The Sanctuary has helped to get important community-led initiatives into the media – including stories that depict a more positive image of the N. Central Troy community. Outside of the immediate neighborhood The Sanctuary’s media content and performance series have drawn visitors virtually and in person from other states and countries.

Nature Lab (*Water Justice Project*) participants testing Hudson River water samples. | Photo: Provided

What are the primary funding sources for the organization?

The organization is funded largely by individual donors and sustaining contributors – particularly Sanctuary Radio and Sanctuary TV. Additional funding is provided by NYSCA, DEC, NEA, McCarthy Charities, Howard & Bush Foundation, and The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

Developing story based narratives at Sanctuary Radio. | Photo: Provided

Anything coming up on the horizon we should be aware of or keep on the lookout for?

People can tune into Hudson Mohawk Magazine daily at 7am, 9am, and 6pm for independent coverage of local news and topics impacting our Region. The People’s Health Sanctuary will have a series of open houses in the winter and early spring that are in the final stage of scheduling. The Sanctuary will continue with its signature annual events including Freedom Fest in the summer and Story Harvest in the fall. Information on upcoming events can always be found on our website.

Freedom Square entrance at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. | Photo: Provided

WEB: mediasanctuary.org

Community Based Design Aspirations : The Albany Riverfront Collaborative

December 20, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

I was approached about the ‘Albany Riverfront Collaborative‘ by an architect friend, Scott Townsend of SWBR. He reached out to me asking if I was aware of the project and wondering if ACE! would be interested in playing a role in the growing chorus of voices that have an interest in participatory collaboration on what is surely one of the most potentially impactful projects for the riverfront in downtown Albany in decades. As the project is entering an important community feedback phase in the following months, it felt right to amplify the exciting opportunity presented to stakeholders associated with the City of Albany riverfront. To get a little more insight I reached out to Jodi Smits Anderson (AIA, LEED-AP BD+C, Well-AP), a managing principle at Einhorn Yafee Prescott (Albany) who happens to be spending a lot of time engaging interested folks about a collaborative design process.

Jodi Smits Anderson – Member at Albany Riverfront Collaborative | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Can you tell me a bit about the project? What is it trying to accomplish and why now?

The core of the project is reimagining the City of Albany’s riverfront. Albany’s upstate sister cities, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, have all been implementing significant changes to their outdated urban highway structures. ARC (Albany Riverfront Collaborative) founders came together to 1) help people see that we can make powerful change to uplift our communities and improve access to the Hudson River, 2) build relationships to gain support for this change with regional leaders and elected officials, and 3) design aspirational goals that guide the current project and future work – doing so together, with no exceptions!

Albany Riverfront Current | Photo: Jonah Michel of @AroundAlbany

The best time to influence a project’s scope is prior to the actual design process, through discovery of what is possible. Once design is completed, the only tools available to inform the work tend to be confrontational ones: lawsuits, criticism, protest, etc. The consultants for the project are set to begin designing late winter/early spring of 2023, and collaborative feedback during the process is vital to achieving goals of equity and inclusion.

Three redesign concepts are currently on the table for I-787: 1) A highway cap consisting of parkland that connects the city to the river above the fast-moving traffic; 2) an urban canal system that brings the river into the city while restoring water-leveling locks, creating marinas, and generating local interest and tourism (similar to that of the Providence River Walk in Rhode Island); and 3) an appropriately scaled boulevard that balances pedestrian, transportation, commercial, and community needs.

It is likely that the best design incorporates elements of all three, for each idea builds on different perspectives and priorities, from water management and environmental health to recreation and economic development.

Albany Riverfront Current | Photo: Provided

I-787 Beltway on the Riverfront | Photo: Provided

From a historical perspective, what affect has the I-787 corridor had on the City of Albany, specifically the people who lived / live in the areas impacted?

It is amazing to me how projects have ripple effects over time and space. I-787 and the highway interchanges, along with the Empire State Plaza itself, initially took out 98 acres of locally owned businesses, homes, and community places. This gutted the city and created a physical gap. The intention was to provide faster circulation for cars, offices for government, and to create an impressive skyline. Over time, this gap, this slice through town, has forged disparities in the economic levels of impacted communities and created a downtown that is primarily for workers who don’t live here. In addition, all the communities of Albany are distanced from the Hudson River, with only three access points, none of which are vibrant or welcoming.

Can you share some current financial aspects of the project and also community based goals being discussed?

There was a 2018 study completed by DOT for the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) that clearly stated that creating a boulevard, located on either side of the railroad tracks, was a distinct possibility for further study and analysis. The budget this time is more than fifteen (15) times the funding for that study.

Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has $5 million dollars to reimagine the City of Albany’s riverfront to promote access to it while adapting to the Hudson’s current and future tidal rise, reconnecting neighborhoods, spurring economic activity, and creating opportunities for current and future residents.

Albany Riverfront Proposed Redesign Features | Photo: Provided

We’ve been hearing from communities including the Albany Downtown BID, South Albany, the Pastures, and North Albany among others. I, myself, live in Pine Hills and have worked downtown for 15 years, mostly biking and walking to and from the office. The visions of joy being shared through the work of the ARC center around access to Nature and removal of the great weight of concrete over people’s heads. There is a lot of concern over development and a way to do it without pricing our current residents out of the city. This is why local voices are vital. We also hear about slowing down traffic and increasing access points into the city. This last piece is particularly impactful because it can lead to economic growth – for all of the city. Studies show that this approach helps people spend more time and more money in cities, as they are more likely to be part of the community after work hours.

Can you tell us about the public and private stakeholders and cultural and community organizations who have signed on to help make this happen?

The list of stakeholders / partners is impressive. They include residents, neighborhood and community groups, for and not for profit organizations, businesses and government entities. The intent of the Albany Riverfront Collaborative has always been to be a connector. ARC’s goal is to facilitate a growing understanding for all the communities of Albany, including commuters and visitors. That we all have a right and a responsibility in the vision for the city. We want elementary school kids to write about the Hudson, and college students to do the carbon calculations on the plans. We want people to propose legislation to clean and heal the Hudson, and all the streams we have buried in Albany. We support Radix Center‘s urban gardens and the South End Butterfly Sanctuary pollinating them. Local artists and local advocates can agree about the need for a shared, co-created, inclusive, climate smart, and healthy future. CDTA and the local neighborhood associations can inform the plans, and you and I can love our city. That’s the potential we all can see and work for.

Where can folks go to get more information?

You can check out our website and follow us on social media. We are currently looking for more people with a vested interest in the long term development of the City of Albany to connect with the process so please, reach out if you have an interest!

WEB: albanyriverfrontcollaborative.com
IG / FB: @albanyriverfrontcollaborative

Creating Upstate : 5 Questions for 5 Capital Region Creatives

November 15, 2022 By Jonah Michel

I asked the same five questions to five different creatives in an attempt to understand exactly why they’ve decided to plant a flag in the Capital Region’s Creative Economy. We tapped in with Screen Printers, Pizza Makers, Brand Developers and Social Media Entrepreneurs. Each person brings in their own unique ingredient helping us to write the recipe that will continue to feed the souls of folks around the Capital Region and beyond.

Lets meet the team…

**Joe Bonilla** – *Managing Partner, Senior Media Director, and Co-Founder* at **Relentless Awareness**
Photo: Facebook

Drew : 5ifth Place – Screen Printer

Drew is the Founder of the local clothing brand ‘Fifth Place’ an Albany based lifestyle brand. Drew is also host of his own podcast and is a regular personality on Two Buttons Deep.

Cristian Virgiglio : Sovrana Pizza – Creative Director

Cristian Virgiglio was born into Albany’s pizza culture and 20-something years later has taken the scene by storm. As Creative Director, Cristian collaborates with local artists and artisans whether it be on merch, new menu items, or pop-up pizza events.

Salah Harris : Career InTouch – Founder, Executive Director

Salah was born and raised in Albany’s South End neighborhood and is currently in his Senior year at the University of Albany. He founded “Career InTouch” and currently serves as a Youth Program Facilitator at The RED Bookshelf. Salah has previously Interned at the Albany Mayor’s Office of Equity & Community Engagement as well as at the Office of Senator Schumer.

Joe Bonilla : Relentless Awareness – Managing Partner, Senior Media Director, and Co-Founder

Joe is the managing partner, senior media director, and co-founder of Relentless. Bonilla was also a regular panelist of WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s nationally-syndicated and award-winning news and discussion program The Roundtable, co-host of CivMix’s The Mix podcast with former journalist Liz Benjamin, and presently is a recurring guest on the Two Button’s Deep Podcast : ‘Behind The Buttons’

Isabella Marchese : Marchese – Entrepreneur and Content Creator

Isabella is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School Online, pursuing a certification in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. While in college, Isabella worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and The Senate. After that, she decided to try her hand in media and worked at a campaign firm and SiriusXM. Now, you can find her co-working at different coffee shops around the Capital Region.

PRO-TIP: Keep your eyes peeled for relevant hyperlinks scattered throughout.

**Salah Harris** – *Founder, Executive Director* at **Career InTouch** | Photo: **Eddie Quinn**

What is something you’ve discovered within the Capital Region’s Creative Economy that you may not find anywhere else?

Drew: Affordable Rent with places next to me within walking distance.

Cristian: People tend to call Albany, Smallbany, and that’s exactly what I think makes the Capital Region so special. Being in Albany gives a sense of one giant family, the community itself is so supportive. My family’s pizzeria, Sovranas, has been open since 1985, and without the community I don’t know where we’d be. (Sovranas was featured on TMZ in 2015)

Salah: One of the most unique aspects of our creative economy here in the Capital Region is our ability to cultivate with local resources and uplift as well as collaborate with local organizations. I can recall working with a local school on a fall harvest event and Nine Pin provided (youth appropriate!) ciders. As an Albany native, and fan of the brand you have to admire the sense of community and effort from local businesses.

Joe: The sense of true and authentic collaboration between those in the creative economy.

Isabella: There is so much opportunity here! This creator space in Albany is itching for more people to join!

**Isabella Marchese** – *Entrepreneur and Content Creator* at **Marchese** | Photo: Provided

What is a piece of advice you would give a fellow creator who is considering planting their flag in the Capital Region?

Drew: It’s on you to make what’s best out of any area. Ask yourself ‘Why am I moving?‘ and ‘Does this place suit me?’ Then hit me up when you get here – @5ifthplace. I’ll show you around 🏆

AUTHORS NOTE: Listen to Drew’s latest podcast episode where he chops it up with $300 Million Dollar ex-marijuana kingpin turned Author, Eric Canori – the man who buried millions of dollars in the Adirondacks, and snag a copy of his recent memoir: Pressure.

Cristian: Believe in your idea and believe in Albany, I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say they don’t believe there’s value here, or that we’re in the shadows of bigger cities. It drives me crazy because if you just look AroundAlbany, it’s full of variety in creators whether it’s food, music, art, or clothing. The Capital Region has such a personality and it continues to grow.

Salah: Endurance beats enthusiasm. Albany is a place that takes patience, you have to be willing to put in the long-term goals and planning. We have a diverse community of leaders and people, learning to resonate with their needs and how you fit with local partners will make you better off in understanding what you can create for the benefit of the Capital Region.

Joe: Get out there and meet people. We are all so interconnected and there is always an opportunity to collaborate and work on projects together. Don’t think of them as competition; think of them as project partners.

AUTHORS NOTE: Here’s a great example of what would be two competing parties, collaborating and involving others in the quest to address the Central Warehouse situation in Downtown Albany.

Isabella: This is the time because there’s still space! The small businesses here need you to help support and highlight them. Plus, we’re only two hours from Boston and NYC so if you ever need big city vibes, we’re pretty close.

AUTHORS NOTE: There are whispers that additional service between Albany and Boston may be coming our way. This would be huge – almost as good as high-speed rail!

**Drew** (*right*) – *Screen Printer* at **5ifth Place** shakes it up with **Stewart Shops’** *President* **Gary Dake**
Photo: Provided

Which Capital Region city do you think has the best opportunities for creators, and why?

Drew: Troy – They let graffiti live. Which allows people to see creativity outside. Instead of the daily mundane scenery.

Cristian: Albany for sure! The city is constantly evolving, it’s very welcoming to all demographics. Albany also has creators’ work showcased all over the city with murals, and the thriving Lark Street is mostly run with local creators’ businesses.

Salah: Again, as an Albany native and SUNY Albany student, I’ll have to go with Albany. We’re home to a rich history, diverse communities, amazing architecture, a strong City Hall and presence in government, and most importantly an abundance of opportunities for creators interested in expanding their network and growing within our city. (Not to mention we are the Capital!)

Joe: Albany for sure and overall. But I would say Cohoes and Rensselaer are great places due to the untapped potential in both of those cities. Nothing against the bigger cities in the region, but a small cities like those that have grit, determination, and history can make for a great canvas.

AUTHORS NOTE: Cohoes is making wise investments in their downtown – when was the last time you’ve checked out Remsen Street? That place is begging for street art – a canvas in more ways than one.

Isabella: Troy – I love Troy. It grows every single day and new small businesses are popping up all the time. There are so many creative people and spaces there.

**Cristian Virgiglio** – *Creative Director* at **Sovrana Pizza** | Photo: Provided

The Capital Region would be a better place for creators if…

Drew: Downtown Albany serviced people past 4pm.

Cristian: If we had a physical space to create. In many larger cities such a Philadelphia they have REC centers, which allows creators to have a space to do what they love. The REC centers are great for creators because it provides all the equipment you would need. Such as podcast space, lectures on the creator economy, and concert halls.

Salah: It continues what we have been doing as of late, creating spaces and being a hub for a talented and diverse generation of creators, leaders, and innovators moving the Capital Region in the right direction.

EDITORS NOTE: If you’re ever A roundTroy and want to work in a collaborative environment, or need a podcast studio, or just some wifi and several hours – hit up the Troy Innovation Garage. Thank me later!

Joe: We invested more in public art and things for young people to go into.

Isabella: If we had more access to get together and build a community with each other.

**Sovrana’s Pizza and Deli** in Albany, NY | Photo: Facebook

Where can people find your favorite slice of pizza in the Capital Region? 😀

AUTHORS NOTE: Troy Business Owner and Entrepreneur Vic Cristopher says something along the lines of: There’s no such thing as the best pizza, just your favorite pizza.

Drew: Sovranas 💎 Thank me later.

Crisitan: I’m a bit biased, but I’d have to say my family’s pizzeria, Sovranas! Other than the pizza being delicious, by just walking into the place you can really feel the charm of the business itself.

Salah: I’d have to say it’s between Pizza Bella in Westgate Plaza or Belt Line 3 near Center Square.

Joe: Donna’s Italian. The Broccoli Bob is too good.

Isabella: Bacchus Wood-Fired, always.

Jonah Michel can be found creatively connecting in the City of Albany. Additionally, he focuses on ‘stuff worth talking about’ around the Capital Region and beyond as a core member and producer for the media outlet Two Buttons Deep.

IG: @aroundalbany | @twobuttonsdeep

5 Questions with Community Arts Leader Louise Kerr

October 12, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

*Louise Kerr : Executive Director at Saratoga Arts | Photo: Provided*

1) Please state your name, what organization you represent and your role in that organization.

My name is Louise Kerr and I am currently the Executive Director at Saratoga Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY.

2) What is the organization’s core mission and who are you primarily serving in the execution of that mission?

Saratoga Arts’ mission is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all.

We serve the capital region and beyond both at 320 Broadway with our 14,000 square foot facility that houses gallery and exhibition spaces, a 110-seat black box theater, painting, drawing, weaving, printmaking studios, and now a music/studio rehearsal voice lab, all geared towards community access and use, collaborations through our many partner organizations like the libraries, visitor center, train stations and more for artists to show and sell their work. We hosted two ‘Art in The Park‘ events this year seeing well over 8,000 visitors and have rolling pop-up markets and events throughout the year. We have educational kids camps that run each quarter with our summer season being the longest at 10 months for kids and teens aged 5 to 18. Each quarter we offer teen and adult classes in life drawing, painting, improv, workshops in printing, weaving, jewelry making, and more – basically if a teaching artist can think it up we can help facilitate a place for them to make that class or workshop come to life.

We are also responsible as the regrant organization for NYSCA for Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties, to distribute direct grant funding support to individual artists, and community and city organizations. We help fund many annual projects like art and book festivals, musical and theatrical performances, spoken/written word projects, and art exhibitions, just to name a few! In 2022 we dispersed $149,000 in grants and to date, we have given more than $1.3 million dollars directly into the community. Our cycle for 2023 just opened so if you live in any of those three counties, please visit our website and let us help fund your artistic project.

*Saratoga Arts Programming and Opportunities*

3) You mentioned to me about annual themes that are being developed as a structure for arts organizations in Saratoga to collaborate on, can you tell me more about that and what the focus for 2023 will be? Why do you feel this approach is important?

I became the ED in August of 2020 and long before I arrived there were collaborations within the arts and culture organizations. The pandemic just expedited the need for everyone to work together and since then I would say those ties grew stronger and more rapidly.

It just naturally evolved as geographically Saratoga Arts is a central, easily accessible community hub that has sat on the corner of congress park for 25 years. All of our relationships with grantee organizations along with the larger institutions like SPAC, The Tang, Yaddo, Caffe Lena and so many more, have continued to flourish and work together.

Beekman Street Arts District continues to grow and our arts and culture opening weekend “All Together Now” in June was a resounding success. Especially with the additional support and collaboration of the Mayor and city, the Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, and the Downtown Business Association, all of the many world-class cultural events that happen throughout Saratoga Springs are finally beginning to be noticed and 2023 is shaping up nicely with collaborative themes of ‘The Earth, people and place, migration and change‘… like I said in the beginning, this strong network already existed but I was just lucky in my timing of arriving when I did and being immediately embraced and accepted as everyone worked together to overcome the pandemic. I think that being part of something like Saratoga Arts that not only is a resource for the community but also a creative connector in a chain of organizations all pulling in the same direction, is vital for the richness of where you call home and key in the expansion and success of the arts especially.

*Main Gallery | Mia Westerlund Roosen | Photo: Provided*

4) What does a typical day look like for you?

The art center is currently a work in progress and in a time of exponential growth. I am usually doing 15 things at once and going 100 mph… emails and text messages start dinging around 7 am. On any given day at SA there can be 200+ visitors coming through, artists of all ages making all kinds of creative work, lots of rambunctious 3-5-year-olds running around the gallery and in the park, a set being built in the theater, actors rehearsing, someone learning to playing a piano, some sort of cleaning and organizing happening by amazing volunteers, meetings in person with board members, contractors, partner organizations, supporting members and donors, zooms with government agencies, budgets, grant deadlines, running across town to attend an event, and never ending planning and paperwork. Then there is making time for my small but mighty staff, who also are wearing many hats and all working on multiple projects to keep us moving ever forwards. It’s usually 7 or 8 pm by the time I force myself to stop working.

5) I believe you have some exciting news about new facility-related upgrades that you and your team are working on, can you share a bit about what those will be and the timeline?

The crazy hours and frenzied work schedules are in large part due to the fact the art center is going through a complete transformation. It was a little bit tired and worn from so many years of use and not enough consistent maintenance or repairs when I arrived so we have partnered with the city to do extensive renovations and updates over the next three years. The city will focus on mainly structural and exterior renovations like gutters, drainage, roofing, HVAC upgrades and such and we have pledged to raise $700,000 to help update everything internally to reinvent the galleries and makers’ spaces, install new modern equipment and make this building multi-purpose and bursting with creativity 24-7. To date, we have already invested almost $200,000 into the building and with the support of key donations and sponsors, a new extended long-term lease and city partnership, 2023/24 is looking very exciting.

In the immediate near future we are focused on the completion of a few things including an environmentally safe printmaking studio and a rehearsal/music and voice lab. These are already beginning to be used while we expand equipment and build-outs, thanks in part to generous donations of presses and a rehearsal grant from NYSCA allowing us to extend over 1000 hours of studio time for free through December 2022. These spaces will be community accessible as well as places to teach, learn and do specialty workshops.

Also slated for completion by the end of 2022 is re-establishing Film and screenings on a regular basis in our theater thanks to a generous donation of equipment from the now-dissolved film forum. This is very exciting and much requested by our community not just because it opens the doors for so many collaborations with new partnerships, creative programming with filmmakers, small documentaries and other screenings, animation creation, immersive film/performances, and more, but is something that lends itself well to a community center like ours. It offers an intimate and connected regular community meeting place, not intimidating or generic like a big movie theater space, somewhere to nurture constructive dialog and debate, rooted and filled with creative and interesting work from all genres, accessibility for entry level students at the beginning of a careers through to seasoned professionals. I really am looking forward to seeing more people discovering the versatility of what they can do at our facility, and hopefully, be inspired to participate and create!

WEB: www.saratoga-arts.org
IG | FB: @saratogaarts

This article is presented through a content collaboration with ACE and CapNY.

Visit CapNY on Instagram at @gocapny.

A Day ‘AroundAlbany’

September 13, 2022 By Jonah Michel

Albany is the capital of New York State, and contrary to popular belief – it does NOT suck! Whether or not you’ve explored this city, you gotta keep reading on as I give you exactly what you need to know to have a solid day bopping around town. My hope is to give everyone the opportunity to experience the city and decide for yourself…whether or not it sucks.

PARKING

Parking can be a problem no matter what city you’re in, so to make this the most enjoyable trip possible, you should park along the Albany Riverfront at the Corning Preserve (plus it’s FREE!) and walk the newly opened Skyway towards downtown and Clinton Square. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing plenty of walking today.

Capital Walls Tour | Photo: Jonah Michel

DOWNTOWN

Stacks on Broadway is open 7am – 3pm every day of the week, so drop by for a coffee and enjoy the big bright windows that flood the space with natural light. While you’re waiting for your order be sure to grab a map of the Capital Walls Murals – this will come in handy later. You can grab a croissant or bagel from Stacks too, but it is also worth the walk around the block to Coulson’s News & Deli – they’ve been slinging Sammy’s for over 100 years.

Now that you’re full and fueled, you can scope out about a dozen Capital Wall’s downtown public art installations and murals curated by Tony Iadicicco of Albany Albany Center Gallery on your way up State Streets towards the NYS Capitol Building. Consider dropping over to the new Williams Street Pedestrian Walkway which reactivated a neglected alleyway that is sandwiched between two parking garages next to the MVP Arena. It’s a little out of the way, but it features a bright and colorful mural with ample seating – pro tip: walk to the top of the adjacent parking garage for a brilliant view of both the Walkway and Downtown Albany.

Williams Street Pedestrian Walkway | Photo: Jonah Michel

You can book a tour of the Capitol Building HERE – they even do tours during spooky season so be sure to bring a change of pants – kidding!! The tour is a quick 90 minutes, leaving plenty of time to flow through the Plaza Concourse where you can check out a vast corridor filled with a mid century art collection curated by Governor Nelson Rockefeller – love him or hate him, he did have excellent taste in modern art.

A View from the Corning Tower Observation Deck | Photo: iloveny.com

BIG VIEWS

The Corning Tower Observation Deck is accessible directly through the concourse – but make sure you have quarters on you for the binoculars at the top that give you views as south as the Catskills! Also accessible from the concourse is the New York State Museum which is open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30am – 5:00pm for you to explore some of New York State’s most significant natural and cultural diversity, both past and present. Admission to the museum is free, so spend as much or as little time browsing as you wish. You can pop up to the Plaza after – and if it’s Wednesday they have Farmers Market and food trucks for you to enjoy.

Farmers Market at the Plaza | Photo: Jonah Michel

LARK STREET

From there, head up Madison Ave towards Lark Street for some lunch and maybe a little shopping, too. Lark Street is its own little village and is considered the heart of the city by many featuring brilliant 19th and 20th century architecture, vibrant nightlife, and a wide variety of good eats. Grab a souvenir from Lark Street Mercantile or Elissa Halloran Designs, new shoes from Season’s Skateshop. On the food front I would recommend Rain Modern Chinese, Soho Pizza, or my personal favorite, Herbie’s Burgers. Grab a drink from the newly reopened Lark Tavern, Savoy Taproom, LoFi, OH Bar, Susie’s, or my all-time favorite Dive Bar: Palais Royale (Best enjoyed 12am and beyond). There are also a couple of great venues to grab a show in the neighborhood – Lark Hall and the Fuze Box – make sure to check out their websites for the schedule.

WASHINGTON PARK

Now that you got a little retail therapy out of your system, it’s time to take a stroll through the park. But not just any park – Washington Park. Inspired by 19th century architect Frederick Law Omstead who designed New York’s Central Park, Washington Park was named one of the nation’s 100 most important parks by the American Association of Architects. The park features 80 acres of greenspace with monuments, gardens, a pond, a skatepark, basketball and tennis courts, an outdoor concert venue, a dog park, and playgrounds scattered throughout.

By now, you’re probably wiped – and you earned it! You can snag a CDPHP Cycle so you can just cruise back down to the riverfront and call it a day.

Although we’ve only scratched the surface, if you follow these suggestions you will certainly leave Albany with a better understanding and appreciation for one of the oldest cities in New York State. A day like this may leave you wanting more, so I might just have to pop back on here and map out your next trip to Albany. We can dig deeper, trust me. Although many call it ‘Smallbany’ I can assure you there is still so much more to discover.