ACE

Putting the Economy in Creativity – A Conversation with Maureen Sager

June 6, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

I met Maureen while I was in Saratoga producing a sustainable fashion event in 2015. She took an interest in me and invited me out for drinks to talk about potential projects we could work on together. I will never forget how passionate she was about collaboration and the need for creatives to get proper compensation. We ended up working on a series of events together under the Saratoga Arts Fest summer program over the course of 3 years. Also at around that time she helped facilitate my connection with ACE! as the freelance creative representative in what was a group of who’s who of institutional arts in the Capital Region. This was back when it was a small gathering of folks meeting in a conference room at the Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region. Since then, we have worked together on scores of events across the 8 counties of the Capital Region and helped create a connected community of talented creatives that I am proud to be a part of. While its bitter sweet to see Maureen move on to her next episode, I know that she will always be a quick text away and am excited to walk in her footsteps, continuing what we both believe is an important mission for all creative individuals and cultural and arts institutions in our region – the raising up of creative voices and providing opportunity for recognition, compensation and the strengthening of our most valuable regional asset, our creative class.

2016 WMHT Creative Networking Kickoff Event | Troy NY | Photo: Richard Lovrich

You came into this affiliation with a strong experiential background, can you share a little bit about your previous professional gigs?

Sure! I feel really lucky to have had a career in the entertainment industry. I went to film school at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, and worked at film companies like PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, where we released a slew of great indies like Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Usual Suspects. Then I fell in love with dotcom, and ended up at Nickelodeon during the wild, early days of the internet. It was super fun.

2018 Art OMI | Ghent, NY | Photo: Kristin Halligan

Tell us a little about the genesis of ACE! and how and when you came to be involved.

Almost ten years ago, the Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region, along with key players like the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and others, commissioned a report that quantified the “creative economy” of the 8-county Capital Region. The results were amazing! This sector — which had never been measured or talked about before — was suddenly seen as an economic driver, generating over a billion dollars in revenue, and employing tens of thousands of people. Such a surprise for everyone involved.

A group of people — Ellen Sax of MVP Health Care, Robert Altman of WMHT, Tom Lloyd of Adirondack Studios, Jeff Mirel of The Rosenblum Companies, Philip Morris of Proctors and MANY, MANY others — started convening, trying to figure out how to make the creative economy known and recognized in economic and workforce development circles. We gathered a bit of money together to start the project, and see whether we could get creatives businesses and organizations from all eight counties to work together in developing ourselves as a business sector. And, voila! ACE! was born.

2018 EYP Architecture and Engineering | Albany, NY

2019 PS21 | Chatham, NY | Photo: Ed Sager

You have been a passionate and dedicated leader to the organization, what particularly called you to the mission of ACE! and why do you feel that is important for our region?

There are SO MANY talented people up here — as talented as any I met in NY and LA — and yet, there just aren’t enough jobs and opportunities for our artists and creatives. People here — and small orgs and businesses — have drive, skill and passion to spare, and yet, they’re barely getting by. I think that’s what connected all of us who have worked with ACE! over the years. We wanted recognition for what’s here, and who’s here. We’re SO DAMN AWESOME. So, we just started throwing events, to celebrate all of the amazing venues, locations, and people we’ve got in this region.

2021 HBO Gilded Age Event with Special Guest Bob Shaw | Troy, NY | Photo: Konrad Odhiambo

Corey, I remember when you and I drove down to Brooklyn to go to a Freelancers Union networking event about 8 years ago. It was so cool to see a bunch of self-employed people sharing their knowledge and completely supporting each other’s efforts. You and I thought, “Damn, we could do that.” So, we did! We busted our asses for years, with dozens and dozens of events, and people were so supportive of our efforts. People were — are — really hungry to connect and learn and collaborate.

2019 Pitney Meadows Community Farm | Saratoga Springs, NY

There have been many highlights over the last several years. Can you share what you feel or some of the most important accomplishments of ACE?

I guess the biggest accomplishment is that the term “creative economy” is officially recognized and respected throughout the region. That’s really what we set out to do — to make it easier for everyone to be seen as integral to the economy of the region. Creatives aren’t just eye candy. We’re MONEY. We give life to our cities and towns. And we deserve respect.

2018 National Museum of Dance | Saratoga Springs, NY | Photo: Ed Sager

Can you tell us about your latest decision to move on and what your current professional goals are?

Two years ago, I moved down to Catskill, a town I fell in love with while planning an ACE event six years ago. My life is centered down here now, and it’s too far south to cover the whole region. Plus, after these two years of COVID, I was ready for a change. I’m so damn glad that you (Corey) are here to take it over. We hatched this thing together, and it’s time for you to invent the next chapter. I’m so excited to see where it goes.

2019 Arts Letters and Numbers | Avril Park, NY

2019 Opalka Gallery | Albany, NY | Photo: Ed Sager

Is there anything specific you would like to share that you feel is important for our audience to consider?

The creative economy is a powerful change agent, but not all of the changes are good. Gentrification and skyrocketing rents are plaguing many of our cities and towns. It worries me, when creatives can no longer afford to live in the places they helped to flourish. I hope we can figure out ways to address this together, and if you have ideas, I’m all ears.

Maureen Sager is now the Director of Marketing and Communications at SUNY Columbia-Greene Community College and has a real estate side hustle based in Catskill, NY.

Editors Note: Ellen Sax was inaccurately identified as working for CDPHP. Ellen is actually employed by MVP Health Care. We apologize for the confusion.

Street Art / Graffiti as Gravity – Part I of III : A Townie Perspective

May 8, 2022 By Taliesin Thomas

This 3-part series on the dynamic nature of street art and graffiti—as both a symbol of cultural consciousness and a cultural commodity—highlights these genres as viable assets within the regional and global creative economy today. In this opening segment, the author shares a townie perspective.

BLM Street Art in Troy NY — Black Lives Matter Mural Project | Photo: Taliesin Thomas

Troy, NY is a historic town built on the foundations of fortunes gained during a heightened gilded era of development in the United States. One can celebrate the charming vibes of this post-industrial town nestled along the mighty Hudson River. Troy boasts a reputation as an increasingly eclectic enclave north of Manhattan—and Albany further still—that is home to a diverse community and a thriving arts scene, including strong examples of street art and graffiti that one might encounter in any lively urban (or non-urban) locale anywhere in the world. This, I believe, reflects street art and graffiti’s role as a kind of gravity within society: it is a symbol of cultural consciousness and engagement with a community audience—it is also a cultural commodity within the larger context of a global creative economy. The brief footnote here: my use of the terms ‘street art’ and ‘graffiti’ are somewhat interchangeable, however, the distinction that I have observed during my years as an arts professional is that community planned and supported expressions of street art aim to contribute to the artistic life of a community with care and respect.

Troy NY Graffiti — Photo: Taliesin Thomas

Troy NY Graffitti — Photo: Taliesin Thomas

Troy NY Graffiti / Street Art — Photo: Taliesin Thomas

Nevertheless, I became familiar with Troy’s artistic milieu during the mid-1990s (having done my undergrad at nearby Bennington College) and I relocated from Brooklyn during the deepest summer days of the 2020 pandemic-era (a welcomed redux encounter with the Hudson Valley). It has been a joy to behold a healthy street art and graffiti scene flourishing around Troy since taking up residency in these old digs. Alas, one cannot ignore the unfortunate acts of vandalism caused by graffiti in certain contexts—on sacred public spaces and historic buildings—yet the intentional placement of vibrant street art and the reverential gestures of calculated bombing—when it does not incur outright destruction—are truly inspirational. If we consider nascent forms of art-making dating back to the basic Paleolithic line drawings found in the caves of southern France, for example, our collective desire to mark our human existence by way of the ‘I WAS HERE’ declaration is irrefutable. Those magnificently crafted 17,000-year-old drawings that consist of raw markings and swaths of color are, essentially, the earliest form of sizing up a barren wall and tagging it with some signature of presence. Such outstanding examples of prehistoric art naturally point in the direction of an artistic expression that has, over millennia, evolved into divergent forms of communication with a would-be audience, thus the birth of art as anywhere—and eventually art in the street.

Our contemporary society is thriving with all categories of creative stimuli, and I think many of us are drawn to commodities and cultural contexts that provide a sense of connectivity. I would argue that the energy of great street art is unrivaled in this category—one is immediately brought in within the moment of stumbling upon it. The stylized tags, the brazen use of bold color, the oversized gestures, the symbolic code name of one’s chosen street alias, and the deft and dope use noxious aerosol paint are all aspects of graffiti to be celebrated. Although I will not further comment on acts of graffiti that cause outright damage, this is an inevitable facet of the conversation. We must welcome the ribald nature of the so-called ‘art-world-circus-show’ in all its unbridled medley, including the blatant criminality of certain practices on every level (street or no street as part of the equation).

Compelling works of street art and graffiti abound in towns and cities across the planet, proving that street artists and taggers are a prevalent international tribe with their own language, history, society, and sect. While many examples of street art and graffiti embody the anti-establishment tendencies that we associate with counterculture proclivities, this distinct sub-cult remains as one of the most compelling declarations of artistic identity in contemporary times. The multidimensional presentation of street art and graffiti as it prevails in Troy, NY provides a ‘townie perspective’ into the proliferating scale of the global genre today. I know we all look forward to seeing more uplifting displays of public art and street art in our town and in our world. In Troy, The Arts Center of the Capital Region along with several other Troy based institutions and residents are working to expand support for local artists through community arts initiatives that encourage local artists and taggers to step up their game in a way that kindles camaraderie and care in our beloved city.

PART II : In the next installment, we will explore the economies and community benefits of public mural programs.

Troy NY Mural / Street Art — Uniting Line Project | Photo: Taliesin Thomas

Taliesin Thomas is an artist-philosopher, writer, and lecturer based in Troy, NY. Since 2007, she is the founding director of AW Asia, NY and the collection manager of Art Issue Editions, NY—two private art collections that are the foundation for collaborations and projects with artists and museums worldwide. Thomas has lectured and published widely on contemporary art. She is a faculty member at School of Visual Arts (SVA), NY and a visiting critic at the Arts Center for the Capital Region, NY. Thomas studied studio art, aesthetics, theory, and philosophy at Bennington College (BA), Columbia University (MA), and The Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (PhD).

SALEM ART WORKS : A Conversation with Pearl Cafritz – Executive Director

May 4, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

My first exposure to SAW was through the ‘Things To Do’ section in back of The Metroland (RIP). There was a listing for a quirky music festival called SAWFEST. I went, saw and heard and ever since, I have been a big fan of this amazing institution. I first met Pearl through previous ACE! Executive Director Maureen Sager. We did an event together and I came to appreciate just how much Pearl had to offer SAW and the region at large. And now…you too are on the inside track.

Pearl Cafritz, Executive Director at Salem Art Works — Photo: Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, title, and what you do at Salem Art Works (SAW). How many employees do you have on campus and what do they oversee?

I am Pearl Cafritz, Executive Director. I oversee administration, programs, and strategic planning. There are twelve staff currently. The administrative team is comprised of a Director of Programs, a Coordinator of Workshops, a Director of Development, and a Graphic Designer. The studios each have a director as well including: blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, foundry and welding. We also have a sculpture park manager, a young artist coordinator, a seasonal chef and housekeeper.

Entrance to Salem Art Works — Photo: Corey Aldrich

Can you share a little bit about your education and background pre-SAW. Curious about the other places you have worked and learned your expertise from.

Originally from Saratoga Springs, my journey to creative problem solving began while working at my family’s hardware store, Farmers Hardware. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts from The College of Saint Rose with a concentration in sculpture. My background in exhibit installation and art handling took me to museums like The Guggenheim, The American Museum of Natural History, The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and The Whitney. Pursuing the contemporary division of art shipping allowed me to travel, oversee import / exports and coordinate crews installing at various art fairs including Basel Switzerland & Miami, Frieze London, and Venice Biennale. I had the privilege of working directly with Matthew Barney as a set builder for Cremaster 3 and assisted Kiki Smith at the International Center of Photography.

As an art world entrepreneur, I started my own art handling company inspired by the Art Basel scene in Miami, Florida.

Salem ARt Works pieces from the ceramic kiln — From the Ceramic Kiln | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Can you tell us more about the mission and varied programming that you oversee?

The SAW mission is to provide a unique alternative arts learning and experimental environment for young, emerging, and established artists. In addition to a variety of artist residencies, SAW prides itself in its youth programming and workshop offerings. For example, In 2021 ‘Salem Teen Arts‘ taught 31 teens valuable art skills such as glass blowing, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, welding, pottery throwing, and welding.

Starting this year, we are offering a ‘Family Friendly Residency‘ which will allow families of teen artists to stay on campus and take advantage of workshop offerings. For the summer of 2022, we have families joining us from as far away as Washington state and Florida.

Over the past few seasons we have seen a dramatic increase in our workshop offerings. Our capital improvements have allowed us to winterize most of our shops, thus expanding our workshop schedules in a variety of disciplines including:

Blacksmithing, Welding, Making Natural Paints and Pigments, Painting, Retaining Wall Restoration, Woodturning and Stone carving

Barn Construction Shot — Barn Facility Upgrade | Photo: Michael Hatzel

How has COVID affected your programming and facilities over the last couple of years?

COVID imposed a variety of challenges on our operation, the result was an opportunity for re-examination of our procedures and processes. In March 2020, we temporarily postponed our the public programming scheduled for the 2020 season. Having this imposed breather allowed us to refine our administrative procedures, policies and programs. Additionally, we used this time to make several improvements to our facilities.

Image of teen boy and girl working in a blacksmithing shop. — Salem Teen Arts – Blacksmithing | Photo: Michael Hatzel

Young Student Grinding a Piece of Metal — Salem Teen Arts – Metal Shop | Photo: Michael Hatzel

It seems like SAW is an important part of the greater community at large in Salem and the immediate area. Can you talk a bit about your outside collaborations and partnerships?

I am actively seeking opportunities for our artists in residence as well as for local artists. Currently SAW has partnered with North Main Street Gallery, Railroad Station Gallery, North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Park, HN Williams, Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, Kingsborough Community College, Southern Vermont Art Center, Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum, Salem Historic Community Center, The Art Center of the Capital Region, Union College, Collar works, and MASS MoCA.

I also serve on the Salem Chamber of Commerce, our 4th of July Parade Committee, and have begun working with Jackos (A downtown Salem Restaurant/Gathering Space) to provide public programming which will begin this summer.

Students pouring molten iron into molds — Iron Pour with Hartwick College Students | Photo: Michael Hatzel

Student making an iron pour mold design — Mold Making for an Iron Pour | Photo: Michael Hatzel

Anything coming up that you are especially excited about that you would like to share?

Now in it’s 2^nd year, the ‘NY/VT Regional Artist Residency‘ will host 10 artists who live and work in one of the two states and that have an income of $50,000 or less. This takes place from June 20th to July 5^th. Artists will live and work at SAW for two weeks with a $500 unrestricted honorarium. Our goal with this residency is for the artists to see themselves as part of our region while generating new opportunities and growth.

Artwork created during the residency will be on view during a closing Artist Reception Friday, July 1st from 5-7 PM.

This is the 11th season of ‘salem2salem’, an international multi-disciplinary exchange between SAW and the Bodenseekreis (Cultural Department of Lake Constance in Salem Germany) which brings together 20 artists from August 8th to August 29th. The group will include 4 artists from Australia, 1 artist from Romania, 10 artists from Germany, and 5 artists from the USA. An open studio event with work created during the residency on Friday, August 19th from 5-7 PM will include live music, readings and fine art.

To join the mailing list, register for a program / class or to see the full program/workshop/event calendar drop by the website.

WEB: salemartworks.com | IG / FB: @salemartworks

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE FIRST 2022 ACE CREATIVE NETWORKING EVENT!

April 5, 2022 By upstatecreative

POST EVENT EDITORS NOTE: Thanks to all who attended. We had a great showing and a vibrant evening of networking, play and best practice sharing. So fun in fact we ran over until around 8:30! Make sure you on the newsletter for announcements of upcoming ACE! Creative Networking Events.

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We are excited to announce the first ACE Creative Networking Event of 2022 will be held at miSci in conjunction with the NEMA 2022 Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit.

DATE: Thursday, April 21 | 4:30-7:00

Regional food, drink, entertainment and some excellent networking are all in the works. Get your creativity on while exploring the DESIGN ZONE. Learn the secrets behind how video game developers, music producers, roller coaster designers, and other creative problem solvers do what they do.

Additionally, there will be a group discussion to discuss removing barriers to better foster a collaborative approach for engaging area artists and creatives in exhibition projects both conceptually, as well as in the design and fabrication process.

SPECIAL BONUS: miSci President, Gina C. Gould is planning on making a special announcement regarding a new national program that miSci will be instituting that will create commission opportunities for regional designers, makers and artists so make sure to be there for that!

Food by: TAKE 2 CAFE | Environmentally Conscious, Mission Driven and Plant Based Delights. Check out our recent review by food writer / critique Susie Davidson Powell.

Beverages by: RARE FORM BREWING and NINE PIN CIDERY

Entertainment: DJ Nate the Great! Bringing on that chill vibe we have come to respect and love.

Advance RSVP though not required is recommended and appreciated. As always, the event is FREE and open to the public.

NOTE: To RSVP select the NUMBER OF TICKETS (they are free) and then follow the simple registration prompts.

yES! pLEASE RSVP ME NOW!

Innovative Placemaking Puts miSci on the Cutting Edge

April 3, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

COREY: Please state your name, title and what you do at miSci. How long have you been here?

GINA: My name is Gina C. Gould and I have been the President of miSci for the past four years. Like most museum professionals, we all wear a lot of hats. In my role as president, I mainly focus on big picture things like the care and preservation of miSci’s invaluable archives and collections, ensuring we are creating cutting-edge, place-based educational programs for our audiences. Making new friends in and around the Capital Region.

Historic Archieve Images involving radio and the electric light. — Images from the miSci Archival Collection.

From Innovation to Inspiration

COREY: You oversee a collection that represents so much technological development for our country and the world in general. All this while being located in a city with an important provenance in the tapestry of innovation. How and what do you focus on in a typical day to push that forward? To create meaning from it…

GINA: miSci’s team spends all of its time developing exhibitions and programs that focus innovations. These areas include science, technology, engineering, art and math. We dabble in past, present and future. We want everyone, regardless of their age or interests, to understand and appreciate that these innovations are what change society and the world. For the good, bad and sometimes ugly. Their lives are surrounded, every second of every day by these innovations that dictate how we live our lives. By understanding these concepts, we hope to provide our youth inspiration. It is that inspiration that will help them to change our world. And for adults, we hope to provide them with enough information to be informed citizens of the world.

Archival images of an engine, florescent light bulb and an early x ray machine. — Images from the miSci Archival Collection

Opening Young Minds

COREY: The past establishes a foundation for the future. As such, where do you see yourself taking the organization to make it as impactful as the history it represents?

GINA: For a long time, miSci neglected what is in its basement. This is where there are some of the worlds “first” inventions of the 20^th Century that changed the world. Unlike other science museums that focus on natural history or early human innovation, miSci’s collections focus on a wide breadth of innovation from lighting the world to renewable energy that will save the world. The general concepts that each object miSci houses, from toasters to jet engines, can be brought down to the basics of such things as heat transfer or combustion. All of these phenomena are what children learn in school. Showing them “firsts,” such as the first toaster, or first dynamo, connects the past to the present and makes it real, tangible. It’s something they can touch if not something they have in their homes, albeit is a more modern form.

Images of an old clock, a young girl and a portable record player. — Images from the miSci Archival Collection

A STEAM Collective

COREY: How do you see miSci growing its value proposition to the City of Schenectady and why is this important?

GINA: With our growing partnership with Clarkson University, the City of Schenectady School District, the Schenectady Historical Society, and Union College, together we will become a STEAM learning and research center for people of all ages.

Image of Jay Street in Schenectady. — Jay Street, a revitalized part of downtown Schenectady.

Placemaking In Action

COREY: I am super excited that you will be hosting an onsite event in conjunction with the NEMA 2022 Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit this month that will be held in downtown Schenectady. Maybe we can bring in your partner Lorraine Cox (Co-Producer at NEMA 2022) on that to talk about how that production team came to partner up with miSci.

Lorraine: The summit is both a sharing of the rich creative placemaking activities happening in this region of the country, as well as a space to inspire and empower placemakers to build new and better partnerships, projects, programs and policies. That would include right here in Schenectady and the broader Capital Region. Creative Placemaking is a strategy that can support the goals of miSci making this a great opportunity to further discuss and flesh out what that might look like. Gina has taken her institution to a new level using these collaborative principles. We felt that miSci would be the perfect real world example of the power of this approach.

Photo of a group event crowd. — Photo: **Richard Lovrich**

See For Yourself

COREY: ACE is excited to play a part of what you have coming up later this month! Gina, I have to say, I have been wanting to do an event here for some time. Can you tell us a little more about what to expect from the Creative Networking Happy Hour event on the 21st?

GINA: Attendees will see how miSci is evolving to become not only a Regional Science Museum but also a community-based museum that specializes in place-based, immersive hands-on STEAM learning. Additionally, we are planning on making a special announcement regarding a new national program that miSci will be instituting that will create commission opportunities for regional designers, makers and artists so make sure to be there for that!

EDITORS NOTE:
We are excited to announce the first ACE Creative Networking Event of 2022 will be held at miSci in conjunction with the NEMA 2022 Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit. These events always well supported, advance RSVP is recommended and appreciated.

for more info or to RSVP NOW!