Arts & Culture
1st Friday: Albany
Celebrating the Arts of Albany
1st Friday, administered by the Upstate Artists Guild and coordinated by Michael Weidrich, aims to introduce a wider audience to the unique vitality of the artists and venues of Albany. 1st Friday promotes interest in the arts by making it accessible, thereby strengthening the arts community in Albany.
We invite artists, groups, galleries and businesses to be a part of this cultural event. Contingent on available vacant spaces in Center Square and Downtown, one-night art shows may be arranged during a 1st Friday. We also welcome sponsorship from local businesses and patrons of the arts. Please contact 1st Friday Coordinator Michael Weidrich to discuss becoming a part of this monthly Celebration!
Albany Institute of History and Art
125 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
463-4478
Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art, one of the oldest museums in the United States, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and promoting interest in the history, art and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley
The museum achieves this mission through its collections, exhibitions, education programs, library, research projects, publications and other programs offered to the general public.
College of St. Rose Art Gallery
324 State Street
The College of Saint Rose Art Gallery is housed at the Center for Art and Design, Picotte Hall on State Street, between Lark and Dove Streets. It is located in Albany's historic Center Square near the Empire State Plaza, the New York State Museum, the Albany Institute of History and Art and downtown galleries.
204 Lark Street
427-0464
M-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 7am-8pm
Presenting rotating art exhibitions throughout the year.
351 Hudson Avenue
Office Hours: M-Th 10am-9pm, F 10am-6pm
465-9916
eba, Inc. is dedicated to cultivating, promoting, and developing an understanding of, and public interest in the performing, visual, and technological arts. eba?s mission is achieved through creating, performing, training, touring and idea sharing. Of equal importance is to develop an
understanding of the creative potential within each of us and to integrate these unique aims with daily life.
eba, Inc. began as an artist collective in 1973. From its simple beginnings, eba has grown into a multifaceted arts organization intrinsically woven into the artistic fabric of our Capital Region Community. To accomplish our mission, five distinct programs presently operate under the eba umbrella:
Maude Baum and Company Dance Theatre
everything but anchovies Dance Theatre
eba Center for Dance and Fitness
Kids Dancspace @ eba
The eba Theater
Elissa Halloran Designs
229 Lark Street
432-7090
Tue & W 11am-6pm, Th & F 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
A gift store featuring gift items by local artists and handmade jewelry by Elissa Halloran. Elissa Halloran has been designing and making jewelry for 15 years. When she was little her favorite thing to draw were princesses with earrings that draped down to the floor and ran all the way to the edge for the paper. Just like she couldn't stop drawing earrings when she was a kid, she couldn't stop making jewelry as an adult. She began giving it away to friends, who began asking for special orders. This habit turned in to a profitable venture when she started bringing work to festivals and craft shows throughout upstate New York. Ten years later, she opened a store on Lark Street in Albany, New York.
Empire State Plaza Art Collect
The Empire State Plaza Art Collection consists of 92 paintings, sculptures, and tapestries that are sited in the Empire State Plaza concourse, buildings, and outdoor areas. Many of the objects can be considered under the general heading of "New York School" art. Considered avant-garde at the time it was created, New York School art eventually acquired mainstream status, and is the first American art movement to have truly worldwide impact.
The ESP Art Collection is available for viewing when the Plaza is open to the public: |
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Concourse and Plaza: |
6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Daily |
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Corning Tower: |
6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday |
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Lark Street Business Improvement District
245 Lark Street
Presenting community-based art exhibitions throughout the year.
278 Lark Street
Lark Tattoo Albany is located on Lark Street and is proud to host one of the most talented crews in the tattoo business. Our artists' talents and experience cover everything from custom and traditional designs, to cover-ups and portraits. The shop�s commitment to excellence is shown not only in it's artistic talent, but the dedication to a clean & safe working environment, and customer satisfaction. We are very proud to host some of the most talented tattoo artists as well as guest artists from all over the world doing guest spots at our shop. Its very important to educate yourself before selecting a tattoo studio, so we invite you to browse our artists' galleries and see the diverse range of styles and talents that Lark Tattoo has to offer.
453 Madison Avenue
Lark Tavern is dedicated to bringing the Capital Region a variety of outstanding musical acts, community events, and other special performances. In addition to our frequent special events Tess' Lark Tavern features the following events on a regular basis:
Open Mic with Mother Judge & John Brodeur, every Wednesday night, no cover.
Poets Speak Loud Poetry Open Mic, last Monday of every month from 7PM on. Visit AlbanyPoets.com for more info.
National Upholstering Gallery
231 Lark Street
434-1458
A showcase for work by regional artists includes photography, drawings, and paintings as well as original cards.
4 Central Avenue
(518) 434-2412
We have been providing opportunities for personal development and community-building through the expressive arts for over 20 years. Central to our mission is addressing individual and societal needs by incorporating feeling, intuition, imagination and creative thinking into daily life. We are focused on bringing people together to counteract the isolation in our communities. We believe that the expressive arts are a natural vehicle in this process, enabling society to benefit from the unique talents and perspectives that each individual can contribute.
New York State Museum
10-5pm Daily
474-5877
Experience New York's natural, cultural and human history and much more. Permanent and special exhibits, dioramas and interactive displays. The Museum offers approximately 12 new exhibitions each year on a wide range of subjects. Exhibitions are often developed with our own extensive collections or traveled from renowned museums across the country.
Red Garter Gallery @ Lark Vegas Boutique
273 Lark Street
434-4907
Monday-Saturday 3pm -10pm
Lark Vegas was started 4 years ago as part of Lark Tattoo. Their piercing and tattoo clientele had expanded so much that they needed more room. The owners wanted to create a more professional and relaxed setting for their piercing customers. In October 2006, the owners sold Lark Vegas to me, their friend and manager of the shop. I have over 10 years of piercing experience.
Recently, Lark Vegas opened the Red Garter Gallery, showcasing exquisite and provocative works of art from around the Capital Region.
332 Hudson Avenue
Tuesday-Thursday 7 pm-10pm, Sunday 7pm-10pm or by appointment
The Romaine Brooks Gallery, a program of the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council, is one of the premiere art showcases in the Albany Art Scene. The Gallery spotlights the best artistic talent in the LGBT community of the Capital Region. The Gallery is a core member of 1st Fridays� art movement in Albany. The Romaine Brooks Gallery, as part of 1st Fridays, draws in over 800 people to attend the gallery openings. The Gallery has a commitment to at least one new show a month, art program development, culture evenings, and exciting gallery events. The CDGLCC strives to be a true patron of the Arts with the Romaine Brooks Gallery as a must go to destination in the region.
247 Lark Street
The Upstate Artists Guild is a not-for-profit volunteer organization, open to all, which promotes the appreciation, practice, and enjoyment of art. Our mission is to promote art education and artistic endeavors throughout the community; to maintain a space in which to meet for the purpose of exhibitions, lectures, and instruction; and to work with the community to stimulate an interest in the arts
200 Lark Street
(518) 463-2881
Mon-Sat 5pm-Midnight
Offering intimate collections of art in a cozy ambiance with 3 fireplaces and an extensive selection of fine wine and cuisine.