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Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy

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LIVING ONLINE SERIES: Judie Gilmore, Opalka Gallery

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I recently connected with Judie Gilmore, Executive Director at the Opalka Gallery on the Russell Sage Campus in Albany. We met while working on the Breathing Lights Project, a massive, three-city public art exhibition that captivated the region in 2016. Not surprisingly, Judie continues to make things happen in a big way and has interesting thoughts to share on galleries, events and more.

Artist Adam Frelin’s “Summit” is installed atop the
Opalka Gallery

My background is in public and community-based art. When the job at Opalka came open in 2017, I was hesitant at first. The idea of working within this stuffy white box seemed limiting to what I love to do — shape public space, collaborate with diverse artists, create community. But, happily, we can do this within the gallery walls. Opalka doesn’t look like other academic galleries. Luckily, Russell Sage liked my vision, and hired me as Director and Curator. With our partnership at Albany Public Library, the public art we have brought there and to our campus, to showcasing guest curators and diverse artists, creating the Pop-up Beer Garden – I am doing what I love.

Opalka Pop-Up Beer Garden, Summer 2019

Yes and no. We were one of the only academic galleries in the region open to the public last year. Our daily operations remained the same. But we also wanted to offer engagement opportunities for people not comfortable visiting in-person. We produced exhibitions IRL, and also curated a whole new virtual space, with exhibition websites, 3D tours, virtual events and other online engagement. It was a lot more work that came with a steep learning curve.

How have you adapted to the changing pandemic requirements? Any suggestions or best practices for other gallerists?

Sharon Bates’ “Exhibit B” (2018)

Yes, we’ve definitely adapted and continue to do so. I was hugely grateful for the leadership at Russell Sage. They interpreted mountains of health regulations and then balanced student and staff health with a plan that allowed us to remain open. Their willingness to figure this out underscored that what we are doing is important and valued. It helped me find perspective – our community needs us. Art feeds people’s hearts and souls. It strengthens community ties. It helps people make sense of the world, to find empathy. These are not trivial things. My advice to other galleries – find a way to keep doing what you do. It is valued and important.

What are your thoughts regarding online programming as a substitute for in person programming?

I see both sides of this. I am as tired of Zoom events as the next person. But, last year our virtual lecture series saw an audience that was four (four!) times larger than before. But in terms of the community we are actively creating, nothing is a substitute for in-person programming. One of our last pre-pandemic events was a community dinner with two artists. Forty individuals, mostly strangers, gathered around a table and enjoyed a meal together. This kind of connection just can’t be replicated online.

Currently, we are a proud co-host of the 85th annual Mohawk Hudson Regional exhibition, along with Albany International Airport Gallery and the Albany Center Gallery. This year we saw a record breaking number of applications from visual artists and worked with three outstanding jurors. The show is a testament to the incredible talent in this region. And we are thrilled to kick off our Pop-up Beer Garden again, which features live music, local breweries and food trucks. It’s this dreamy combo of art, music, food and beer, neighbors and local community. Have we ever needed it more?

Editor’s Note: The 2021 POP UP Beer Garden and Neighborhood Block Party series is being held on three Fridays in September. This week’s event will feature Rare Form Brewing and Nine Pin Cider. For band and food partner info, check the Opalka Gallery website.

WEB: https://opalka.sage.edu/
FB: @OpalkaGallery
IG: @opalka_gallery

Hart Cluett Museum’s Starlyn D’Angelo

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Hart Cluett Museum’s Executive Director Starlyn D’Angelo definitely likes a challenge! On March 30, 2021, she took on the head job at the Museum when it was unclear how the world would be moving forward. “I seem to work well when things are hard,” she said. Starlyn talked to ACE about how the Museum’s role has changed in the past year, and the unique opportunities and challenges they’ve faced.

Hart-Cluett’s Annual Holiday Greens Exhibit

How did the Hart Cluett Museum react to the pandemic?

When the pandemic hit, we initially had to lay off staff. But after a short time, they were back, and immediately began to document the events as they were happening. We asked people to document their experiences during the pandemic, about what life was like, what kind of challenges they had. That’s still up on our website now, for anyone who wants to share their story.

Kathy Sheehan
Hart-Cluett’s Educator, Kathy Sheehan

We also started documenting the Rally for Black Lives. It is unusual, in the museum world, to document current events. We’re trained not to focus too much on anything that’s happened in the past fifty years, mainly because we do not yet have perspective. Recently, though, there’s been a major shift toward thinking about documenting current events. We may not be interpreting them right now, but we certainly need to be collecting those stories before we lose them. This is a very exciting development for the Hart Cluett Museum

Also, our educator, Kathy Sheehan, was able to reach many more students during Covid by using remote learning. She did a program for 25 students in the room, and then another 700 students remotely. Ordinarily, transportation is expensive and becomes a barrier. The staff here has taken lemons and made them into lemonade.

What kinds of educational programming does Hart Cluett do?

Hart Cluett Education
Hart-Cluett’s In-School Education Program

Our core K-12 programs focus on the Underground Railroad and another on the Civil War. Generally, these classes are based in schools. Kathy Sheehan is a dynamo. She not only serves as our educator, and she is also the city historian and the county historian. Her adult education walking tours around Troy sell out all the time. They focus on all different topics, such as Life in the Gilded Age, Uncle Sam, Industry and more. She’s a fabulous engaging storyteller.

Hart Cluett Signage
Hart-Cluett’s Collection

Our Drinking History programs are really popular, and they continued online during the pandemic. Pre-Covid, people would gather in a bar, and Kathy would give a short program. While learning a little bit about history, they’d have a historic cocktail.

We also have exhibits at the Museum. Our current exhibit, “The Way We Worked”, was developed with the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit program. Also, our curator mounts special exhibits each year. Next year’s exhibit will be on Protest and Reform. Amazingly, this topic was actually conceived of before the pandemic and the Rally for Black Lives.

What role did Hart Cluett have in preserving the Rally for Black Lives materials?

Our curators worked with the NYS Museum to collect some of the murals, and we also got a NY Humanities grant to fund the process of documenting the Rally for Black Lives. We’re in the process of doing this right now.

This is a different way of approaching historic documentation, so we’re learning our way, and making mistakes about how you have these conversations with parts of the community we haven’t engaged with previously. Our mission is to recognize every face and every story, which is very ambitious. So, we have to learn to make these conversations really comfortable and safe for every person that was involved.

How do you make sure that you hear from everyone?

The rally was about a problem we have in our communities that needs to be recognized. We want to hear from all of the people who organized the rally, not just the artists who painted the murals. 

Some of the panels are now at the New York State Museum. They present a real challenge for preservation because of the type of materials involved. They have what conservators would call an “inherent vice”, in that they self-destruct and the materials will break down over time.

We’ve taken high quality images so that they can be saved for the future. We can’t store all of them. I don’t know that we’re going to store that many panels because of limited space and it’s very difficult to preserve them. But it’s equally important to preserve the oral account of what was done to organize the event, and perspectives on what the event was like.

It’s important that the documenting be comprehensive, so that it’s not just the artists, or the politicians, or the march organizers. One of the thing that I learned recently was that there was an effort to register people to vote, and the organizers specifically didn’t want that to happen at the rally, for several reasons. It’s important for us to present a comprehensive story, regardless of whether things are conflicting or contradictory. We may have completely different perspectives depending on who we’re talking to.

Can you tell us how filming of “The Gilded Age” helps make the case for historic preservation?

Hart Cluett Exterior
The Hart Cluett Mansion on historic Second Street in Troy

The filming of “The Gilded Age” took place right outside our doors. It spotlights just how special this place is. You just don’t have architecture like this everywhere – it’s special and unique to Troy. It helps us have a pride. It’s special and unique to Troy. It’s an obvious economic benefit, but the quality of life impact is also really important.  We all want to be part of a community and feel like it’s a special place. The architecture in Troy gives us that.

When you tear down these buildings, you’re creating a needless environmental hazard. In many cases, you  can’t reconstruct them. You can’t get the wood in these dimensions anymore, you can’t get the artisans to do the ironwork and woodwork. This creates another opportunity for us. If we train people  to maintain these historic buildings, we’re creating jobs in the trades. There’s such a multitude of reasons to concentrate on historic preservation.

Learn more about Hart Cluett via its website, FB, and IG.

5 Creative Side Hustlers You Need to Know About

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Models for Tall Luxe
Models for Tall Luxé

In the last year COVID-19 has drastically altered the way we approach life and the ways in which we inhabit the world. For some it has made them more cautious, feeling the precarity of each passing moment. Others have become more appreciative of the present, embracing the opportunity to take an extended pause. Living in a space of ambiguity provided the chance for some to reconnect with their passions and pursue them as a side hustle. If this is you, you’re not alone!  

All over the Capital Region, Upstate New Yorkers have been rethinking their career paths, choosing to maintain their 9-5’s while pursuing their passions on the side. With COVID giving them more downtime, these five individuals have been able to maintain their creative side hustles while putting in a 40 work week. These “hustles” have been both a re-connection to self and an outlet for creative expression. The world around us remains as uncertain as ever. From fashion, to screenwriting and directing, and music, these creatives shared what has given them courage to choose both.

ANTONETTE LEWIS | AKL Studios

Ad for AKL Studios

Meet Antonette Lewis from Albany, the Creator-Director of AKL Studios. By day Antonette works at a lobbying firm, but by night she runs a beautiful luxury sunglass line. ”Since I was little I’ve been in love with fashion,” Antonette said. “One thing I always remembered was when my mom drew a wedding dress on a napkin. It was the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I was like ‘I want to make that!’” She eventually wants to develop a clothing line, but for now, sunglasses are a good start.

Photo of Antonette
Antonette Lewis

So how exactly does Antonette balance it all? “I have a special routine I do. I wake up at 5 in the morning, I draft my social media posts for AKL Studios and send those drafts to my team. Then, I get ready to go to my day job. Once work is over I start working again with AKL. That’s the time I reach out to my manufacturers and my team. I prep a lot of emails.” 

Since launching the line during COVID,Antonette feels she’s learned a lot about herself. “I’ve learned to trust myself more, to have more confidence. You don’t need to go to fashion school to run your own line. The only difference is that they have more money and access. You can do it on your own.” Since building that confidence, Antonette has expanded her line and plans to do more fashion shows, more photo shoots, more collaborations, and pop up shops in the future.

Fashion is booming here

Above all, Antonette believes that, despite popular belief, the fashion community is booming here. “There’s always so much going on. Watch Spectrum News! There’s always a gala, a fashion show, an event. There are a lot of unique people here!” Albany’s creative economy is growing and it’s here to stay. 

Click here to check out the AKL Studios IG.

NNEKA MORGINI | Tall Luxé

Nneka Morgini

Meet Nneka Morgini, Creator-Director of Tall Luxé fashion line and Niskayuna native. When Nneka is not working on Tall Luxé, she works in Human Resources for a community college. She took advantage of the extra time the pandemic created and launched Tall Luxé this year. “It’s always been something I’ve been thinking about. I want to make clothes for taller women. It’s always a struggle because I’m 6’1 myself; it’s hard to find clothes that fit me well. Amid the pandemic I had more time to do what I needed to do to start my clothing line.”

Through the creation of Tall Luxé, Nneka feels that she’s learned a lot about herself, “I never thought I was capable of doing something like this, to be honest. I’ve never taken that leap of faith to start this idea I have. I’ve always been shy and low key. I didn’t think about becoming an entrepreneur. When the pandemic happened, I thought to myself, this is the time to start. This line will be mine and I’ll be able to do something I’m actually passionate about. I’ve learned that I’m much stronger and resilient than I give myself credit for and that I need to get out of my own way. It takes believing in yourself to make things happen.” 

Models for Tall Luxé

A rich creative community in Albany

Nneka feels there is a rich creative community in Albany, and that there’s so much to discover here as opportunities pop up each day. As her business grows, her goal for the next year is to network more and to be immersed in the Upstate fashion community. Nneka, similar to Antonette, wants to participate in more pop up shops and fashion shows. Until then if you’re a taller woman and you’re looking for some luxe looks, check out her site! Click for IG and FB.

KENNA HYNES | Director-Screenwriter, Musician

Kenna Hynes
Kenna Hynes

Meet Kenna Hynes, a director-screenwriter from Chicago who has found her stride with music video direction. When she’s not creating rich narratives with indie rock star Nandi Rose, she works at a recruitment agency. “I’ve always been interested in music. Before I got into film, I was a musician. I started out as a Camera Operator, Director of Photography, and then started making documentaries of artists on tour. From there I began to direct music videos. My job at the recruitment agency gives me the flexibility to continue my work in film.” 

Kenna has been active in the film and music scene since 2012. But when COVID hit, she had to go back to the drawing board, because she wasn’t able to shoot film. “Having such a close relationship with Nandi Rose really got me through a big chunk of COVID. We started thinking of big ideas, and when it was safe to meet up, we started planning for future videos. It really gave us an outlet to be able to work on those projects together. Planning our next steps gave us something to look forward to and carried us mentally.”

Kenna Hynes
Kenna Hynes

Outside of building upon her personal-professional relationship with Half Waif, Kenna took the extended pause to reorient herself in her goals, “The biggest takeaway I’ve had is that you need goals. You need to have a mission for yourself while still trying to be present and deliberate. I was getting into ‘good old days’ syndrome, where I was thinking ‘should I go back to Chicago? I’m not making movies.’ But I needed to see what’s in front of me. Being present here and focusing on who you’re with something magical will happen.”

You do not need to be in big city to make great art

Experiencing film in both a big city and upstate Kenna feels that Upstate NY still has so much to offer. “There’s less ego here. The Upstate community is forming and you’re a part of something here, creating a creative community together. You do not need to be in a big city to make great art.” There is a wealth of community here, if you find it. If you’re interested in seeing Kenna’s work, click here!

SPENCER SHERRY | Actor-Screenwriter 

Spencer Sperry
Spencer Sherry

Meet Spencer Sherry of Saratoga Springs, landscaper by day, actor-screenwriter by night. Both his traditional job and his filmmaking are done in collaboration with his friend-business partner, which gives him the flexibility to shift gears.

Currently (and always) Spencer is writing. He has a very exciting Stephen King-inspired short film on the way, which he began writing for a student scholarship. It was initially rejected because it wasn’

t on King’s approved short list, but “I wound up reaching out to his agent with nothing to lose, asking for a commercial contract to option it. He responded saying that I wasn’t a big enough name. I went back again for a non-commercial contract because I really believed in the story and then he said okay, and gave me a special contract. I’m psyched! Now I’m trying to put a crew together to take a swing at this.”

COVID has given Spencer the chance to dig in and develop projects to shoot in the fall. “We’ve been really fortunate because business on the landscaping side didn’t slow down at all, and we’ve been able to push each other to work on film projects. I’ve written more than I ever wrote in a year. The pandemic made me get the confidence to write for the sake of writing.  For me personally, I’ve had this trepidation of wanting to save a project when I have the technology, funds, and the means to make a film. Now I just want to crank out stories with very little fear of it being made. The nebulousness of Covid helped with my trepidation.”

The Upstate community is invaluable

Outside of honing his craft and leaning into exploring writing, Spencer has been delving more into the local film community. To Spencer, the Upstate community is invaluable. “It’s so much tighter here than it is in bigger cities. No one in New York wants to help a lowly PA on their passion projects. But here people are willing to help, getting locations is easier, people are so much more accommodating. It outweighs the potential money that can be made.” 

If you want to see Spencer’s work check out his IMDB here, otherwise stay tuned for his projects to be filmed this fall!

SYMONE NOELLE | Singer-Songwriter 

Symone Noelle

Last but certainly not least, meet Symone Noelle a singer-songwriter who has used the pandemic to fully launch her creative path. Formerly an interior designer, Symone is no stranger to a creative career, but music has always been her passion. “Covid provided a big push for me to follow my music. It was a challenging time for my mental health but it encouraged me to not sit around and let things happen. With my music it was a now or never kind of thing.”

Symone Noelle
Symone

That encouragement pushed Symone right into the studio. She’s releasing her new single and video entitled “All for You” in August, and is preparing for her EP’s release in spring of 2022. She describes her music as New Wave R&B in the same vein as Kehlani, SZA, and 6LACK, but doesn’t limit herself to one genre. “My EP will be more than just R&B. It will have a little bit of everything. Neo-soul, Alternative, Rock and New Wave R&B.  I don’t want to be just one thing.”

Upstate is like a family

As Symone is exploring her sound and making her mark in the music world, she has also been exploring the music scene both Upstate and in New York City. “I think that New York and Upstate have a lot to offer, but what sets Upstate apart from the hustle and competitiveness of New York is the network here. It’s almost like a family, people help each other out on projects and work together.” She is happy to get her start here. 

You can check out Symone’s music on Spotify or via her website. Click here for her IG.

Written by: Arielle Steele

Arielle is a local writer who has a passion for community, film, dance, and Beyoncé. When she is not working at Ayco, she can be found working on her next film project or trying out a new hairstyle.

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