In 2003, stakeholders in the imperiled City of Albany neighborhood of Arbor Hill developed a revitalization strategy called the "Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan."
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Albany Barn is dedicated to providing a sustainable creative arts incubator and community arts center in Arbor Hill – a place for artists to live, work and inspire. It was heralded as a breakthrough in collaborative community planning and continues to enjoy broad support during its implementation. As part of that Plan, it was recommended that one of the top priorities be the adaptive reuse of the
abandoned St. Joseph's Academy building, located in the heart of the neighborhood at the corner of North Swan and Second Streets. Albany Barn has partnered with the City of Albany and Albany Housing Authority to redevelop the 40,000 square foot St. Joseph’s Academy building into low-cost live-work apartments, work and rehearsal suites, a dance studio, a digital media lab and ample exhibition, performance and programming space. The project is formally called "Academy Lofts," although it is better known locally as "The Barn." This name originates from the age-old practice of barn raising, when a community collaborated to build a barn - a structure vital to a family's livelihood - for one of its households. The Barn/Academy Lofts will provide essential, affordable facilities to regional artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, dancers and performers seeking an engaging, supportive environment in which to create and share their work, and broad arts-based programming to benefit residents of all ages. To that end, a key requirement of residency in The Barn/Academy Lofts will be community service including, but not limited to, mentoring, creative art instruction/activities, and neighborhood art installations/public space stewardship. Informed by the success of transformative art incubators in other American cities like Providence, RI and New York, NY, The Barn/Academy Lofts is the kind of dynamic reuse that will at once address all the Arbor Hill Neighborhood Plan's components: Housing, Arts and Culture, Economic Development and Quality of Life. It will anchor the North Swan Street corridor with a built-in creative economy; expand the footprint of arts in Albany, NY; nurture meaningful, productive relationships between artists, arts groups, local businesses and neighborhood residents, particularly at-risk City youth; catalyze responsible revitalization and preserve neighborhood identity; and foster community involvement, unity and pride. Opening in 2013, Academy Lofts @ The Barn currently houses 22 artists in affordable, high-quality, live/work apartments, and more than 20 additional artists work in studios and offices at The Barn. Albany Barn also operates a 1,700 square foot art space one block from the The Barn/Academy Lofts called Stage 1. Stage 1 is available for gallery exhibitions, educational workshops, group meetings and events, community outreach initiatives, and private parties.
We are so excited for this event!
Join The Egg Performing Arts Center this First Friday Albany, August 2, for an OPEN House featuring live music by Ghost-Note, a screening of Black Panther, DJ set by Intell Hayesfield, projections by B.A Miale, art activities with Albany Barn and Albany Public Library, & free books from The RED Bookshelf! 🎉
Entry is free with RSVP!
https://www.albany.org/event/the-egg-presents%3a-open-house-(ft-ghost-note-%26-a-screening-of-black-panther)/51357
It was so nice to have FL back this summer!
🚨 Don’t miss the Opening Reception for Tales of Swamp and Suburb, an exhibition featuring the work of resident artists &
🗓️ Friday, August 9th
⏰ 6:00 -8:30pm
📍Albany Barn, 56 2nd St, Albany
Swipe to get a sneak peek of the Albany themed coloring sheet (designed by .rose.arts) that we will have at the on August 2nd! This event is free to the public! Doors open at 6pm!
Meet our newest Resident Artist to Albany Barn, Scrap!
Wrenn exhibits and writes as a visual artist under pseudonyms including “scrap wrenn” (2013-present), “sean wrenn” (2010-2012), and “scrapworm” (2002-2010). Ms. Wrenn’s participation in artists’ projects and group exhibitions for over 2 decades has included collaborations and shows throughout the New York City area, at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Texas, and Lecce, Italy – receiving the Mount Royal School of Art Graduate Fellowship Award at MICA (2006-2008) for her MFA.
A solo show with ChaShaMa, “kyuko and her soul,” was featured on E42nd St. from July-November 2023. She showed new work on roster with solo exhibitions at the John Davis Gallery in Hudson, NY in 2016 and 2018, and in group shows at the Ely Center for Contemporary Art (New Haven, CT), Kirkland Art Center (Clinton, NY, 2019) and Dorsky Museum at SUNY New Paltz, 2019. Other recent exhibitions include group shows at the Marist College Art Gallery (Poughkeepsie, NY 2020, 2022, 2023), Upstream Gallery (Hastings on Hudson, NY, 2022), and Schweinfurth Art Center (Auburn, NY, 2022, 2023)
Benefitting from the time and space of residencies, Wrenn has been a resident/fellow at Arts@Renaissance (Brooklyn, 2012), the Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts (Ithaca, NY, 2013), the Vermont Studio Center (Johnson, VT, 2013), IPark (East Haddam, CT, 2005), Soaring Gardens Artists’ Retreat (PA, 2005, 2015), ChaNorth (NY, 2015), NYC ChaShaMa studios (40 Worth St. 2004-5, Brooklyn Army Terminal B 2013-15), and the Zen Mountain Monastery (Mt. Tremper, NY, various 2014-2021, initially funded by the Hemera Foundation’s Tending Space Grant).
🪩 Friday, July 19th from 6-8:30 we will have the closing reception for The Novis Somnia Experiment! Come check it out!
📷:
Meet Autumn! Our Girls Inc. intern for the summer! ☀️
Autumn will be splitting her time between Albany Barn and Electric City Barn! If you are around when she is here, make sure you say hi! 👋🏻
Throwback Thursday —> Open Call!
We want your throwback photos! Can you believe that Albany Barn has been at 56 2nd street for 10 years?! Please email your favorite photos to [email protected] (please send as an attachment) tell us about the photo (and credit the photographer if needed!)
Photos included in this post
1) the team celebrating Fusion in 2021 😱
2) Current ABI team at ECB after our Spring Open House
3) The Chair Show at
4) Baby and in the office
5) Mini Mural Tour (Capital Walls is a partnership with Albany Barn, & )
6) Fusion with &
7) .rose.arts winner of Battle of the Brushes against in 2021
8) teaching a painting class
9) at the Barn Tent
10) Gifted 2019, peep former resident artist (we miss you!)
Send us any photos of you/ events associated with ABI (Albany Barn, Electric City Barn & Artistry Studios). DM us if you have any questions! ✨ please only email photos so we can try to preserve the quality ✨
We will be using the photos for a fun Fusion Surprise. Fusion 2024 will be on Friday, October 18th. Tickets will be on sale SOON! Save the date 🪩
Such an amazing event 💕
Tonight!
Join us for this one-night-only pop-up collaboration between Wildwood Programs & Albany Barn. Albany Barn artists taught classes at both Wildwood locations, including mixed media, painting, and weaving!
Let’s get ready for Pride! 🏳️🌈
Bring clothes, hats, shoes or flags to paint for Pride! Paint and other supplies are provided, bring some friends and come party!
Click the link in our bio to purchase your tickets! Email [email protected] if you have any questions!
Thank you to our friends and for coordinating this exhibition featuring work from ABI artists! The opening reception will be on June 7th from 6-7:30pm at the Pine Hills Branch!
We are so excited for this exhibition! Thank you to our friends at Opalka Gallery for inviting us!
NEW ART AT THE LIBRARY!!! Our next Art at APL show, curated by Opalka Gallery, will be opening at the Pine Hills Branch on June 7! The exhibit presents work from a select group of artists-in-residence at Albany Barn in Albany, Electric City Barn in Schenectady, and Artistry Studios in Schenectady, including Ashley Busby, Paula Drysdale Frazell, Lexi Hannah, Lori Kochanski, Amanda Moore, James Paulsen, Megan Ruch, and Kim Tateo.
Can't wait to share these artworks with you and hope you'll join us on the 7th for our opening reception, including light refreshments and live jazz music by the Michael Lamkin Trio. Mark your calendar!!
All the details here: https://www.albanypubliclibrary.org/programs/art-apl/
Christie, Lori and Tom chatting about the Wildwood Collaborative Showcase happening next week!
The Upside: Wildwood School and the Albany Barn art inclusivity
We love Wildwood Programs !
Come to the reception of our Collaborative Showcase next Wednesday, May 23rd from 4-6pm at Albany Barn!
Work from Megan's class with Wildwood will also be on display!
Thank you! We have raised $300 so far! Donations help even more on Saturday, 5/18 with matches, and prizes awarded for organizations that hit their goals!
Click the link in bio to donate to our page so that it counts towards our match!
Huge thank you to for making this possible!
Happy anniversary! We had so many amazing artists join Albany Barn last May!
1) has been exploring new mediums and making some amazing work for the show in August with &
📸:
2) now has the space to go bigger with her ideas in preparation for her group show in August!
3) is also working on some larger pieces for the show. Zach also participated as a teaching artist for our 2023 Gifted event
4) .jackal has his work up currently in the AB gallery (a collaborative show with fellow resident artist
5) And welcoming the newest resident artist ! We can’t wait to see what you create in your new space!
✨ Come see all of these artists (and more, including artists from & Artistry Studios) on Friday, June 14th for open studios and the opening reception of our next exhibition! This event will be free and open to the public! ✨
Yay Lori!
Tomorrow is First Friday Albany! Join the Underground Railroad Education Center and Lori Kohanski for Weaving Stories! ✨
Learn from local fiber artist Lori Kochanski, create your own piece, and contribute to a community art project. Space is limited—reserve your spot now for a unique storytelling and artistic experience!
https://www.albany.org/event/weaving-stories-with-urec-%26-lori-kochanski/50440/
First night of Auditions for Alice in Wonderland is tomorrow at 7 PM!
Come join us at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park to be a part of our summer production. All roles are open to anyone 12 years old to adults.
Sign-in begins a half hour prior to auditions. Anyone under 18 must have a parent /guardian accompany them to sign a participation form when signing-in.
For more information, visit: https://bunburyplayers.weebly.com/auditions.html.
No class tonight, see you next week!
56 2nd Street
Albany, NY
12210
| Monday | 10am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
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Immerse yourself in the Novis Somnia Experiment on Friday, June 14th from 6-8:30pm. Experiment conducted by @gloomandhowitgetsitsway We will also have Open Studios and guest artists from Artistry Studios! This event is free and open to the public! Artists you will see: @druisbeasley @ashleymbusby @jeweledbyagem @jim_paulsen_2024 @thenicoleroseblog @dlpny And more!!
Coming June 14th to Albany Barn @gloomandhowitgetsitsway 😱 Friday, June 14th from 6-8:30, we will find out where your dreams have been going. If you haven’t already, submit your dreams here: https://novissomnia.uwu.ai . . . We will also have Open Studios that night! Come check out all of the resident artists at Albany Barn! This event is free and open to the public!
Two chances to see Catharsis Cathedral 🏰 . . . Please join us on Sunday, May 5th from 4-8pm. 📍Albany Barn- 56 2nd street, Albany We will celebrate the (pre) opening of Catharsis Cathedral, Alex will have his studio open, a small section of pay what you wish paintings, as well as other paintings/ the work that is in the exhibition. . . . You can also see the show on Friday, May 10th from 6-8:30pm.
@lexihannah.art was featured on @news10abc ! Thank you @stephanierivastv 🥳 Make sure you come check out As If this Friday, March 1st from 6-8:30pm 📍 Albany Barn- 56 2nd St, Albany 🎨 @lexihannah.art & @casey__victoria
As if 💁🏻 Friday, March 1st, 6-8:30pm at the Barn. Come make new friends, see some art created by @lexihannah.art & @casey__victoria , and all dance to the macarana 🕺🏻
Meet Casey! 🎃 In the span of nearly 10 years, Casey has transitioned from Barn artist-in-residence, to part time Operations Coordinator, to full time Director of Programming & Residencies, to finally, Executive Director. So to say she’s done everything and anything during her time at The Barn would be an understatement! She loves finding new ways to bring all of our Barn Raisers together (from artists to community partners to our board of directors and everyone in between) and looks forward to dancing and snacking at The Barn’s FUSION every year.
@vagabondportraits will be set up at Gifted! Take home your own portrait 📸 1 frame @ $15 2 frames @ $20 3rd and every additional is $10 each Plus they will be offering discounts on booking full service portrait experiences at the event
We are so excited to have @crdycps at Gifted this year! Friday night: We party! Music, local vendors, some refreshments and open studios! Saturday morning: select open studios and the opportunity to create ornaments with those artists! 🎁 Gifted is sponsored by the Michele L. Vennard Hospitality Grant Program of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. A huge thank you to the foundation, as well as Discover Albany, for their continued support of this annual event. 📸: @kikivassilakis
Come hang with @alex_h2o at Gifted- Friday, December 1st, 6-8:30pm! And then come back the next morning to paint WITH him on Saturday morning🎨 Friday night, Albany Barn’s residents will have open studios; you can see where they work, purchase merch, and chat with them! Then you get the opportunity to create WITH them in their studios the next day. Saturday, December 2nd from 10am-1pm we will be selling ornaments that you can purchase and then take to select studios to paint/weave/draw with Albany Barn artists. 🎁 Gifted is sponsored by the Michele L. Vennard Hospitality Grant Program of the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. A huge thank you to the foundation, as well as Discover Albany, for their continued support of this annual event.
Less than two weeks away! Click the link in our bio to purchase tickets! 💀
So now you know about our membership options! If you have any questions after checking the website, email McCauley, Director of Membership & Operations at [email protected]
Sign up online for safety trainings at @electriccitybarn
Throwback to our week of art classes with @wildwoodprograms ! We had such a great time introducing the students to new mediums. @thenicoleroseblog taught the younger students about collage. @tomsmithfood invited friends into his studio to create a collaborative diner scene. @jordantaylorhill taught friends of all ages about African drum and dance, and @lori_kochanski brought her portable loom to both Wildwood locations for the students to learn on! The full version of this video can be found on our YouTube channel. . . . Huge thank you to @ohsogriim for helping Christie exit the video!
Thank you to our lovely @keybank volunteers! They decided to come to the Barn for their Neighbors Day and help Christie with some spring cleaning ♥️ #community #liveworkinspire #barnlife #albany
Join us… if you dare… ☠️ . . . Fusion 2023 Catalyst ticket PRESALE! Click the link in our bio to find more information and to purchase yours! 👻
🚨 Event Alert 🚨 Join us for an evening of poetry and performance to celebrate the release of Sierra DeMulder’s fifth book Ephemera. Directly following the reading, a facilitated Q&A will be hosted by author Caitlin Conlon. 6PM Doors // 7PM Showtime $15 Advance // $20 at the Door // $5 Student & Sliding Scale @sierrademulder is a two-time National Poetry Slam champion, a five-time published author, and the co-host of @justbreakuppod a globally popular advice podcast that has been downloaded more than 4 million times. E�vent is all ages. Click the link in Sierra’s bio for tickets!
Thank you @jordantaylorhill for teaching today at @wildwoodprograms
Tomorrow night, Friday, March 10th, join us to celebrate Royal’s solo Exhibition, Farewell. The reception will be from 6-8:30. We hope to see you there!
Hello all! As we all know, winter in upstate New York makes things impossible to plan. With possible heavy snow tonight, we will be pushing the opening reception of Farewell to NEXT Friday, March 10th. . . . TONIGHT Christie and Royal will be live on Instagram starting at 5pm. The will discuss Royal’s journey and artistic process. Tune in!
First there was abstraction That started to take form Out of form came faces Faces grew wings Rocketing into space 🚀 March is the last month we will have Royal as a studio tenant. We are sad to see him go, but so excited for what he will do next. Join us tomorrow, Friday, March 3rd from 6-8:30pm to celebrate Royal.
Esther Massry Gallery at St. Rose
Madison Avenue
Bensonian Institute for Art Research
Benson Street
