Visual Arts and Handcrafted Products

LARAC ABSORBS GLENS FALLS ARTS DISTRICT, DRIVING DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

March 2, 2026 By Corey Aldrich

You may remember, back in August 2022 when ACE! put together a street fest / creative economy panel discussion at the Park Theater. We had some coverage at the time examining the interesting structure downtown Glens Falls had for arts and cultural support. (Glens Falls: A Winning Team Sharing Secrets to Success). Fast forward a couple of years and progress continues to be made collaboratively with the Downtown Arts District and its distinguished members in a newer arrangement that sees LARAC (Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council) as the oversight entity. I connected with Phil Casabona, Executive Director at LARAC for an update.

Please state your name, organization and title. Can you add a bit about your background experientially and educationally?

My name is Philip Casabona and I am the Executive Director + Festival Director + Gallery Curator for LARAC, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, a mission driven, non-profit arts organization in Glens Falls, NY. Upon graduating SUNY Oneonta in 2009 with a BFA with a concentration in Photography, like many young people my age at that time, I immediately walked into my dream job making money faster than I could count it…oh wait, that’s the parallel universe me. I graduated college with the excitement of pursuing the arts, professionally, in some form. It was a longer road than expected, with a handful of torturous, non-art related jobs, but all teaching me something that has led to my current position. In 2012 at the age of 25, my wife a, who was my girlfriend at the time, and I, moved to Astoria, Queens, for a year. There I worked for a high-end clothing retailer, in their annex location in Tribeca, as their “Inventory Manager“. I was responsible for all locations day to day inventory, worked alongside the buyer’s department, as well as opened new store locations in other cities, like Boston, Atlanta, and a few others. This position, along with other managerial roles I had since I was 16, unknowingly taught me skills that would be most valuable in my current positions.

I have been with LARAC for 12 years, starting prior to that as a volunteer. Then, having support from my friend and the Gallery Curator at the time, I applied for an open part time position as LARAC’s Festival Coordinator, which I did for a number of years, before going full time and taking on the task of Gallery Curator. As LARAC struggled to navigate Covid-19, we managed to keep our doors open and our staff employed. When the opportunity came up to replace our previous ED, I entered the race. I have been acting Executive Director for the past four years as well.

Can you fill us in a bit about the mission of LARAC? Annual budget, number of employees? Also, I understand you expanded recently by absorbing the GF Downtown Arts District into your fold. Can you share a little bit about the history of that and what that means for LARAC and the artists you serve?

LARAC is a mission-based organization with a very simply mission. We are here to support artists and creatives, local, regional, and beyond, and nourish the positive cultural impact they make on our community. Financially, as a SCR site through NYSCA, we are able to support artists and organizations in Warren and Washington Counties. I am part of a three person staff, including fulltime employee Kori Albrecht, LARAC’sCommunity Outreach + Grants Director, and part time employee Diane Swanson, LARAC’s Program’s Director. The three of us are standing on the shoulders of giants that helped grow LARAC from a volunteer organization to a paid staff with a building that we own. We are beholden to our members and our community for keeping us in operation. As of 2025, we are operating on an annual budget of $360,000. This includes the $100,000 worth of NYSCA funding that Kori distributes to grantees within the counties we support.

Glens Falls Arts District Downtown Bike Racks | Image: Corey Aldrich

In 2025, LARAC also became the umbrella non-profit organization for the Glens Falls Arts District. GFAD, is a committee of local arts related non-profits that have been moving the needle, contributing as economic driving forces, and sculpting the landscape of the City of Glens Falls for decades. I firmly believe the arts are the foundation of Glens Falls. Recently the City, the Counties, and the region have begun to view us in the same light. Glens Falls is such a unique city. We are only roughly 15,000 people, yet we have such a strong arts scene. Thus, the AD was born. A collective effort to help solidify DRI funding from NYS, which GF was awarded 10 years ago. In the past few years, we have seen all the planning of that DRI to the tune of $10 million, come to fruition. The infrastructure efforts on South Street are accompanied by the public art, which is where the AD came into play! The AD consists of LARAC, the Park Theater, The Hyde Collection, the Charles R. Wood Theater, the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, the World Awareness Children’s Museum, the Chapman Museum, the Crandall Public Library, the Adirondack Theater Festival, North Country Arts, and The Shirt Factory. All arts entities in the city limits work together to beautify our city, encourage arts interaction by local and visiting populations, drive economic value to our city, and help each other all stay viable. These efforts have helped strengthen all of our relationships with each other and with the governing body of the City of Glens Falls, the EDC, and Warren and Washington Counties.

LARAC becoming the umbrella non-profit of the AD means the AD answers to the LARAC Board of Directors. However, what it really means is that it gives the AD a new opportunity to continue working together to positively impact our city. With the DRI initiative complete, we now have a new avenue to look for, and secure funding for future projects and have a collective voice stronger than any one of us does alone. This inherently helps LARAC further our mission of supporting our local and regional artists.

LARAC’s June Arts Festival 2025 in Glens Falls NY | Image: Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce

I really like your approach to getting your members art into hands of the general public. Between your full-time retail store and events like the annual LARAC ARTS FEST, how have you been able to leverage your relationship with the city and local businesses to advantage your members?

Part of our mission, in more detail, is to help artists become financially stable, grow their passion and abilities into potential income streams and help them start to take the next steps to becoming part-time or full-time professional artists. Helping artists get seen, whether it is in our gallery, our shop, our festivals, or our live music stages at the festivals…these are all avenues to get them in front of the general public.

Coincidentally, these same avenues to get the artist in front of the public also work as a platform to showcase and educate the public on the different forms of artistic expression. A venue to show our patrons obtainable local art, creating an environment for them to support these creatives. One of the biggest and most recognizable LARAC events that does this and truly showcases our wonderful relationship with the City and Warren County is our Annual LARAC June Arts Festival. An Annual event that started in 1972, this year will be our 56th event and will showcase over 165 artists, 10 non-profits, and 8 food trucks, all juried in from across the country to sell their handmade goods. June 13 – 14, 2026, LARAC will bring 15,000+ people from all over to the City of GF, creating the single biggest weekend economic driver event in the city and county. This event is made possible by our relationship with the City of Glens Falls, Warren County Tourism, and the local business which directly and positively impacts our members and our community.

Gallery Shop at LARAC in Glens Falls NY | Image: Corey Aldrich

Speaking of the city…you mentioned a group you are a part of called MOSAIC that includes the city and the IDA as I recollect. Can you tell us more about this group and where you see that going. It sounded like some really innovative stuff!

As I mentioned earlier, it is amazing what the city had going for it prior to intentional efforts to collaborate. In the recent present, as the organizations within the AD started working together in a calculated effort to improve our individual organizations by strengthening ourselves as a collective and beautifying the city, some wonderful opportunities have come up. Doors started to open in places we didn’t see coming. We started to build and strengthen relationships with our governing bodies and other entities that see the value in our efforts. One of those people, recently, has been Jim Siplon, the President and CEO of the Warren County Economic Development Corp (EDC). Jim and his office have created a collective group, many faces of the AD, as well as others from outside GF. This includes members of the IDA and leaders of non-profit groups and organization in Washington County who share a table and create a safe space to build ideas. Jim sees the value of the arts in GF and the potential we have as a springboard for positive growth and economic and cultural impact. Together we are working on ideas to unify and rally for future funding.

There is an inherent and immeasurable value in the positive impact of the arts and the culture it encourages. It is an effort worth our time, and LARAC, the AD, and MOSAIC understand this assignment.

LARAC Member Art Gallery Examples | Image: Provided

EXTRA CREDIT: Anything you would like to plug and additional things you would like to share beyond above?

LARAC is for everyone, join us in our Gallery, at our Festivals, and in our city.

WEB: larac.org | IG: @larac_arts

FROM DUN AND BRADSTREET TO INDEPENDENT THEATER W/ TANYA GORLOW

March 2, 2026 By Corey Aldrich

Participating on a new committee that is endeavoring to pull together arts and cultural organizations across Rensselaer County (more on this in an upcoming issue), I had the privilege of getting to know Tanya Gorlow. I mean, I had met her before at Sand Lake Center for the Arts where she is the current Executive Director but seeing her up close and in action in this work group, her professionalism and attention to detail…well, I knew I had to know more. Having not done a piece on the organization before it just seemed that now was the time.

Please state your name, organization, title. Can you give us a bit of backstory?

My name is Tanya Gorlow, I am the Executive Director at Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake New York. My history with the center started in late winter/early spring of 2024 in a show called Little Wars. I was cast as Lillian Hellman in the fictional historical play by Steven Carl McCasland. I loved the kind, creative community that was part of SLCA. During my interview, I shared that supporting and fostering that community was a large part of my interest in the role.

I come from a background that includes leadership, marketing, production, and business development. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology and Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. I’ve held leadership roles at Dun & Bradstreet and Butcher Bird Studios. My professional endeavors supported a semi-professional career producing and performing in theatre. I found that I was learning and developing as a professional no matter what I was working on: leading a team of marketing professionals working on a product launch, breaking down a character or fundraising for an independent play. The ED role of SLCA feels like the culmination of the skills I developed in my day jobs and in the pursuit of my art.

Brighton Beach Memoirs 2025 at Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake, NY | Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit about SLCA? What does your programming look like? Your annual budget? How do you fit in the tapestry of such a small community?

SLCA is a not-for-profit community arts center offering theatre, music, visual arts, educational programs and more. We have a theater space, with flexible seating; a lobby that also serves as our gallery; and a small cafe that provides refreshments for our events or a place for catering to land during a rental. My understanding is that we are one of the few theaters in the Capital region that is accessible with a ramp up to the stage.

We have a 5 show theatrical season. For 2026, we opened with A Raisin In The Sun on January 30th; 1776 on April 10th; The Wolves on June 5th; Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee on August 7th; and Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound on October 16th. We also have a free concert series sponsored by Troy Sand & Gravel and Bonded Concrete, youth concerts, and musicians throughout the year. Our gallery is host to local artists – currently we have photographs on exhibit by Phil Caruso from when he was a set photographer. Vincent Caruso NYC street photography has been in the gallery during the month of February. We have workshops for all ages throughout the year, as well.

As a not-for-profit, we have fundraising events, including a Broadway revue at a local venue, and our gala, Taste of Sand Lake, where local restaurants offer a sampling of the area’s delicious cuisine.

Our annual budget is about $230,000.

A Fine Family Performed 2025 at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake NY | Image: Provided

We’ve been in our current location since 2002. Originally, when Circle Theatre Players signed the lease for the building it wasn’t ready for performances, visitors, or even staff. It was through the efforts of the community that the performance space was created, the backstage area set up, storage and offices established, etc. I have been fortunate enough to meet the community members who raised the barn, put the siding on the building, wired the building, put the ceiling in the performance spaces, and did just about everything else you can imagine. I was at an event where one of our community members walked up to me and said, “I have your organ in my garage.” The history of this building and this organization is in the community around it, both the immediate Sand Lake/West Sand Lake/Averill Park area and the wider Capital Region.

Currently, I am the only full-time employee. We have a few highly-appreciated part-time folks. Everything else is done by our community, from our volunteers to our sponsors to our artists to our audience. Without any one of those groups, we wouldn’t function. My hope is that through our programming that we are able to give back to the community that gives so much to us by providing opportunities to create and learn more about art, as well as experience it. I also hope that we’re a place to reconnect with old friends or meet new ones in the gallery over a coffee from Gipfel’s (ED NOTE: For our story on Sand Lake Merchant) or at a show on a Friday night after enjoying happy hour or dinner at any of the wonderful local bars and restaurants. Whenever we can collaborate with a local organization, we’re always very happy to do it and have ongoing relationships with several.

Hiiiii!! Again Performed at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake NY | Image: Provided

You have a strong arts and business background which gives you a rounded perspective. What would you say are the biggest challenges you have running SLCA and your methods for overcoming them?

Right now, I would say the biggest challenge is that there’s a ton of things to do that involve our programming, facilities management, fundraising, and community building and not enough time in the day. My joke last year was that I was keeping track of my surprise priority of the day: I’d go in to the center with a list of things to do, only to be surprised by something completely out of left field! Bees in the mailbox is still my favorite. My primarily method for figuring out how to tackle the growing to-do list is asking myself the following questions:

Does it impact the health and safety of anyone who comes into the building? I have shoveled the snow off the stairs more times than you can imagine because of this one. Also, the bees in the mailbox falls into this category!

Is there a deadline that affects our ability to operate? Our insurance and utility bills fall into this category, as do many other things.

Is someone waiting on me to move forward with something with will improve/impact the center? Grants, our committees, our employees and contractors, etc. are all part of this.

Is someone waiting on an answer that impacts their relationship with the center?
What will move us forward? That upper left hand corner of Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix for the biz nerds out there.

I’ll never get everything done, but I hope each day to be as effective as possible.

Exhibition Set Up in Barn Squares Gallery at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake NY
Image: Provided

Barn Squares Gallery at Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake NY | Image: Provided

You mentioned Arts Letter and Numbers in addition to Sand Lake Mechant above. How have you been able to synergize with local businesses and other mission oriented organizations in a way that creates a ‘there there’ for community?

Sand Lake Merchant has co-hosted the Merchant Market in the spring and the Holiday Market in the fall with us for a few years now. They’ve been fantastic partners, and also helped us in an incredible way during our Style on the Stage event in 2025. Brian Sheldon, who was SLCA’s previous ED for 7 years before me, worked with Arts Letter and Numbers and Nopiates for the Transformation project. There was also a performance experience that ALN held at SLCA in August of 2024.

In 2026, we’re working towards a collaboration in the gallery with ALN during the month of May. ALN does some really incredible work and there are a few things that I’d love to work with them on in the future, if we’re able. In my mind, collaboration between SLCA and ALN (and this applies to our other groups and businesses in the community) needs to take into consideration the needs of both organizations and ensure that both organizations, the artists, and the audience benefit. Since we both have physical spaces, I could imagine events in the future that has the audiences travel between the spaces to create a full experience.

Triskele Performs in 2025 at Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake, NY | Image: Provided

SHAMELESS PLUG: Anything coming up we need to know about?

Yes! Coming up, we have our collaboration with AP Live, the Youth Music Showcase on 3/7, which highlights our areas local student musicians. We have an awesome ZenTangle craft workshop on 3/14, which is only $10 to register. We’re lucky enough to have Triskele here for St. Patrick’s Day on 3/17. And our next play is 1776, opening on 4/10.

WEB: slca-ctp.org | IG: @slca-ctp

The Revolution WILL BE…In Person!

January 26, 2026 By Corey Aldrich

2026 is really kicking off with a bang. ACE! was on location for the grand re-opening of three major regional institutional arts organizations including The Egg (Albany), Saratoga Arts (Saratoga) and a new and expanded space for Albany Center Gallery (Albany). This represents some major investment in our region in community arts, culture and entertainment, and helps drive the Capital Region as a creative economy hub for work and play with an investment to the tune of well over $20M collectively. Find out what each organization was able to add and refresh with their reset and how that will impact future forward programming for our region.

THE EGG | YOUR EGG IS SERVED (ALBANY NY)

The Egg Staff Celebrates at the Grand Re-Opening Event | Photo: Megan Mumford

After a six month closure, state and local leaders cut the ribbon this month for a $19.5M renovation at The Egg. Though the project predates Governor Kathy Hochul’s $400m Championing of Albany’s Potential initiative, it complements the overall mission and direction being mapped out for Albany by her office.

The Egg : Crowd Shot at the Grand Re-Opening Event | Photo: Elissa Ebersold

The Egg : Dancing to DJ Hollywood at the Grand Re-Opening Event | Photo: Elissa Ebersold

The Egg is a performing arts center located in Albany, N.Y.’s Empire State Plaza. An unmistakable feature of the capital city’s skyline, the venue houses two theatres encased in a domed, egg-like concrete structure that took 12 years to construct and was completed in 1978. The Egg presents music, art, theatre, comedy, dance, and family entertainment year-round.

“The Egg is a meeting place for New Yorkers and visitors looking to immerse themselves in the thriving creative industries that are integral to our state’s bold identity,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “As part of Downtown Albany’s revitalization, this long-awaited renovation modernizes one of the Capital Region’s most distinct cultural landmarks. This new chapter of The Egg showcases the value of spaces where the arts and culture converge...”

OGS (New York State Office of General Services) oversaw a project that modernized the interior of the building while honoring its original design and mission. Work included replacing seating and carpeting throughout both the Kitty Carlisle Hart and Lewis A. Swyer theatres and all public areas; installing a state-of-the-art, fully automated LED theatrical lighting system; and adding new dimmable LED house lighting that better showcases the building’s unique architecture.

The Egg : Hart Lobby Before Renovation | Photo: Megan Mumford

The Egg : Hart Lobby After Renovation | Photo: Megan Mumford

“The Egg is a place where art happens with no straight lines, and these renovations make it possible for us to serve Albany and all of New York in a bigger way. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for believing in this building and making this investment in the arts possible ” said Diane Eber :Executive Director The Egg

The renovation also expands accessible seating in both theatres, upgrades restrooms, and adds an induction loop assistive listening system to improve the experience for guests who use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Public spaces have been refreshed with restored mid-century finishes and new custom furniture designed to complement The Egg’s ellipsoidal structure, aligning the interior with the boldness of the exterior for the first time since the venue opened in 1978.

“Updating The Egg reaffirms the importance of the arts scene in the Capital Region and supports our efforts to reconnect Downtown with its residents and visitors. ” Senator Patricia A. Fahy

The Egg : New Seating and Carpet | Photo: Megan Mumford

The renovation supports a renewed vision for The Egg as a statewide performing arts center and destination, where the building itself is an integral part of the artistic experience. The upgrades will enable more complex productions, improve comfort and accessibility for audiences, and ensure the venue can continue to serve as a gathering place for decades to come.

“When people come to visit our great City of Albany, The Egg is the first building they see on our skyline. This exciting renovation helps to solidify this structure as an icon of our downtown, and I am thrilled to celebrate its completion. ” Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs

WEB: theegg.org | IG: @theegg | ADDRESS: EMPIRE STATE PLAZA

ALBANY CENTER GALLERY | MORE ART EVERYWHERE (ALBANY NY)

Albany Center Gallery : Ribbon Cutting Event for the New Digs | Photo: Provided

Located in the old Pizza 54 space on North Pearl Street (Known by many back in the day as Pizza Timmy’s!). Albany Center Gallery has significantly expanded their space from 1700 sqft at their previous location to 6600 sqft. The new space features offices, storage, a kitchen, a larger education space that can also be used as a secondary gallery, and a large street front main gallery that currently is showcasing over 200 works in it’s annual member show.

Jankow Companies oversaw the fit up in conjunction with Platt Construction. This was partially funded with a grant from Capitalize Albany for build out costs. Additional funds to underwrite the move where funded via specific donations and / or were covered via a specified funding campaign.

Albany Center Gallery : New Location Opening Night Crowd | Photo: Michael Joyce

“With more space, we are able to support more artists, present more ambitious exhibitions, and bring even more of the community together under one roof. Our new home at 48 North Pearl Street allows us to expand our programs, activate the gallery with evening events, and create dynamic, welcoming experiences where art becomes part of everyday life in downtown Albany.” stated Tony Iadicicco, Executive Director at Albany Center Gallery “It’s a big step forward for ACG and for the artists and community we serve. As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission, uplifting, showcasing, and advocating for the creative community while ‘Bringing Art Everywhere.’”

Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs marked January 16, 2026 as “Albany Center Gallery Day” inaugurating the day in City of Albany history.

Albany Center Gallery : Tony Iadicicco Executive Director | Photo: Corey Aldrich

WEB: albanycentergallery.org | IG: @albanycentergallery
ADDRESS: 48 N. PEARL ST.

SARATOGA ARTS | YOUR COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER (SARATOGA SPRINGS NY)

Saratoga Arts : Re-Opens After Upgrades | Photo: Spencer Sherry

I recently caught up with Amy Bloom, Executive Director at Saratoga Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY for an update on their renovation efforts. They just finished up a $2M+ space renovation / upgrade and recently re-opened to the public after a 6 month build out period. Funding sources included $1M from the City of Saratoga Springs, $766K through a capital grant from NYSCA (New York State Council of the Arts) with the remainder fundraised by Saratoga Arts’ board members, donors and a few other local foundations.

The renovation has resulted in several key improvements – a new gallery with programmable, energy efficient lighting, 2 renovated bathrooms, an upgraded theater (including a sound booth and new projector/sound equipment), and replacement windows throughout much of the building — in particular the curtain wall (The windows that face the carousel in the back of the building).

Saratoga Arts : *Shown* Allan Weatherwax (Board President), Amy Bloom (Executive Director) and Spencer Sherry (Grants and Community Outreach Coordinator) | Photo: Corey Aldrich

On the lower level you will find new lighting and ceilings throughout most of the classrooms, including a door from the main classroom providing direct access to Congress Park. To follow, a patio will be installed in collaboration with the City of Saratoga, slated later in spring 2026. The printmaking studio has new plumbing and a new sink was added in the smaller classroom. Additional improvements include upgraded wifi (especially on the lower level where there was none prior), a new boiler, new gutters, and electrical panels throughout much of the building.

“As a supporter of Saratoga Arts for over 30 years, NYSCA is proud to be a part of this extensive renovation project, which has created a multi-use facility to serve thousands of visitors. This new sustainable space will serve as a catalyst for creativity and collaboration for the entire region. Congratulations to the entire Saratoga Arts team, we look forward to decades more of your innovative and accessible programming.” Erika Mallin : Executive Director of NYSCA (New York State Council of the Arts)

Per Amy, the renovations will significantly improve Saratoga Arts ability to fulfill their programmatic mission to the community and provide an enhanced experience for community engagement.

WEB: saratogaarts.org | IG: @saratogaarts | ADDRESS: 320 BROADWAY

Troy Based Context Collective is a Creativity Hub for Local Artist Community

November 24, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

Mariah Kitner got on the ACE! radar a few years ago when we featured her clay art work on a social media post. Fast forward a couple of years and I am beginning to hear a buzz about a new gallery space in Troy called Context Collective. At the time, I did not make the connection but I kept hearing about well supported openings and great exhibitions. When I finally got in the loop it all came together and I realized that there was so much more to what was happening there than I could have possibly imagined. Mariah is a talented artist and a skilled business woman who puts the economy in creative, all the while creating a supportive space for artists and makers of all stripes in her little kingdom in downtown Troy.

Mariah Kitner: Director and Co-Founder at Context Collective in Troy, New York | Image: Debi Gustafson

Please state your name(s). What is your position in the company? Can you share a little about your educational or experiential background?

My name is Mariah Kitner, and I’m the Director and Co-Founder of Context Collective, a gallery, workshop, and private event space I run with my studio-mate and collaborator Ash King. I have a BFA in Painting with a minor in Art History from Pace University and have worked in galleries and artist management in New York City for nearly a decade before pivoting to ceramics in 2020. My studio practice, Context Clay, explores the intersection of art, design, and storytelling through hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics. Ash and I share a commitment to building a creative community here in Troy, and Context Collective grew out of our desire to create an inclusive, intentional space for artists and the public to connect through art.

Opening at Context Collective in Troy New York | Image: Provided

What is the mission of CC?

The mission of Context Collective is to support emerging and underrepresented artists through exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and collaborative experiences that center accessibility, curiosity, and craft. At its heart, Context Collective exists to nurture creativity, connection, and care. We believe in creating space for artists and community members to come together, to make, to feel, to reflect, and to be seen. Our programs are designed with intention, offering moments of pause and presence in a fast-moving world. The space serves as a hub for creativity and community, where art becomes an act of togetherness.

Main Gallery Space at Context Collective in Troy New York | Image: Provided

Can you walk us through the different areas of the space?

Context Collective is located in downtown Troy in a space that’s both functional and inspiring. The front of the building serves as our gallery and workshop area, where we host exhibitions, artist talks, and creative gatherings. Upstairs is mine and Ash’s shared ceramic studio loft for wheel throwing and hand-building, and the back showroom displays our small-batch ceramic collections. Downstairs, we have our production and glaze room, a full events kitchen, and a kiln area where the behind-the-scenes magic happens. Every part of the space is designed for making, showing, and sharing art in the community.

Workshop at Context Collective in Troy New York | Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit more about sustainability and what you see as income streams for the project?

Our sustainability model is rooted in diversity and collaboration. Context Collective generates income through a mix of workshops, private events, gallery rentals, retail ceramic sales, and exhibition sales. We also pursue grant funding and community-based crowd-funding to keep our programs accessible while supporting fair pay for artists. This balance allows us to maintain a high level of quality and care while growing sustainably within the local arts ecosystem.

Group Show at Context Collective in Troy New York | Image: Provided

What are your future plans for the space? Any expansion plans programmatic or otherwise?

As we move into our second year, our focus is on deepening the programs that have brought people together since we opened. We’ve hosted twelve exhibitions in our first twelve months, ranging in medium, theme, and scale, from local group shows to national open calls. In that same time, we’ve led fifty-four workshops focused on ceramics, craft, ritual, and artistic development.

Looking ahead, we’re expanding our partnerships, refining workshops, and building out our customizable private event packages for groups looking to celebrate through creativity. We’re also developing programming that brings new audiences into contact with contemporary art and craft. One of our most popular exhibitions was an open call community portrait show that featured seventy-one artists, and we’re planning to bring back our pilot Clay Play Days, which offered pay-what-you-can handbuilding sessions that were met with incredible enthusiasm. To keep these community-centered events accessible, we’re inviting donations through our ongoing PayPal campaign to help fund materials, artist stipends, and future programming.

Context Collective Co-Founder Making Ceramic Chains | Image: Provided

BONUS: Anything coming up we should know about?

Our most recent exhibition Love Note closed on Saturday November 22nd, marking the end of our first full year of programming. The show featured my large scale castle in the cloud ceramic vessels and Ash’s ceramic chains celebrating connection and imagination, it feels like a beautiful reflection of the year we’ve had.

We’re excited to open our next exhibit, The Context Winter Market, a winter market featuring twelve artists who have exhibited or led workshops with us in the past year. The market opens on Shop Small Saturday, November 29, and runs through December, with special events during the Troy Victorian Stroll on December 7 and Meet the Makers Day on December 13. Our regular gallery hours are Saturdays 11am-4pm and by appointment, with extended holiday hours in December on Fridays from 4pm-8pm.

WEB: contextclay.com | IG: @context.collective.troy

AMY GRIFFIN CREATES A THIRD SPACE FOR PUBLIC GATHERING

August 26, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

If you have ever had the privilege to work with Amy Griffin, you know what I do…that she is probably the most easy going, kind and light hearted person that you could hope to meet. Underneath the surface – a talented, creative and highly collaborative arts professional that is really finding her stride in her current role as Director at the Opalka Gallery in Albany. After years of working with her on one of my all-time favorite projects, it felt like high time to sing her praises a bit and share her ideas with the community at large.

Amy Griffin : Director at Opalka Gallery in Albany, New York | Image: Provided

Please state your name, title and organization. Can you also tell us a bit about your history including education, other jobs of note and other special accolades?

My name is Amy Griffin. I am currently the Director at the Opalka Gallery on the Russell Sage College campus in Albany, New York.

The road to Opalka Gallery was long and winding. I got my MFA from Hunter College in Photography and worked in publishing, teaching, and the NYC archives. From there I did college teaching. I also worked at the NY State Museum in the exhibitions department and wrote about art for the Times Union. I’ve been here for 10 years and moved into the Director position 3 years ago.

Seance Exhibit Gallery Performance with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company | Image: Provided

Can you share a bit about your mission at the Opalka Gallery? Maybe a little bit about how the program integrates into academic campus life and the general public.

We are always trying to raise the profile of the gallery to welcome the community in as much as possible, while supporting artists. We want people to feel comfortable coming to check out exhibitions and to participate in our free events, even if they don’t think they know much about art. There’s a lot of interest in “third spaces” and that’s what we want to be for the community–a place that’s not home or work but you don’t have to spend money. This goes for students, as well. Russell Sage‘s Albany campus is small–we want the students here to have a place to go for fun events or just to get away to some place quiet during the day. We also offer free music on most First Fridays, in addition to our September Pop-Up Beer Gardens and we’ll have a free map-making station in our fall exhibition. We’ve been offering a free kids’ art workshop each semester, organized and taught by Russell Sage College Masters of Art Teaching students. We also employ college work study students–so, we have lots of ways that we interact with both the college community and the community at large.

Music Performance at the Osi Audu : The Self in African Art Exhibition | Image: Provided

On the gallery side, would you share a bit about your curatorial philosophy? I have seen some amazing shows there, most recently the Osi Audu : The Self in African Art. I seem to remember there being an interesting back story on how you made that one come to life.

Diversity matters–that includes the types of shows we do and the medium of the work we show. We’re committed to bringing in engaging contemporary art and design from all over, while also supporting the regional art community. We wouldn’t want to do all group shows of local artists or only painting shows from painters outside the region. We mix it up, looking for excellent work that can be linked to the programs and curriculum here at the college, as well as engaging the broader community. For the Osi Audu show, Pierre Brooks, a collector of African art, stopped by the gallery a few times, invited me to check out his collection down in Greene County. Since we emphasize contemporary art, I hadn’t thought of a way to work with Brooks and his collection until I came across the work of Osi, a painter based near Kingston who makes abstract paintings in direct response to African art pieces and then it all came together!

PechaKucha at the Opalka Gallery in Albany New York | Image: Provided

I know you are also running some other public facing programming as well such as PechaKucha and the annual Pop Up Beer Garden and Neighborhood Block Party (Note: ACE! has been a promotional partner of this series for several years now) How do you see that type of programming fitting into your strategic goals for the gallery?

These kinds of events are perfect for our strategic goals because they’re community-building events that bring people into the gallery who might not necessarily choose to come see an art exhibition. They help expand our reach and also support the creative economy, which, I don’t have to tell you at ACE!, supports the local general economy. For a PechaKucha event, we might get close to 150 people–those people typically are then looking for a place for dinner or drinks afterward.

The 2025 Screenprint Biennial at the Opalka Gallery in Albany New York | Image: Provided

Care to share a bit of the personal challenges and rewards of the job? Any mid term or long term goals you are looking to accomplish there?

I love seeing a crowd here for an exhibition reception or other event–it feels good to be helping make Albany a dynamic place to be.

The challenge is, as with any art/non-profit job, that we always feel like we are short on staff. We always want to do more and more but that translates into more and more work and more money! We’d love to have an expanded gallery education program, for instance, or add more events. One smaller scale goal is to expand our Artist Registry. Right now, it’s just a page on our website–artists can upload their name, medium, and website URL and then curators can potentially use it to find artists. But my goal is to build it out to be a searchable database not unlike what White Columns in NYC has done–only tailored for artists based in the region.

Shameless Plug: What are you excited about that we should be putting on our calendar?

In addition to “Compass Roses: Maps by Artists–Albany“ which opens on Sept. 2, we’re in the thick of planning for our fall Pop-Up Beer Gardens–the first 3 Fridays in September! In addition to our whole slate of fall programming of course!

WEB: opalka.sage.edu
IG: @opalka_gallery | FB: @opalkagallery