In Shape and Shadow: The Sculpture of Larry Kagan , we explored how light directed onto twisted metal can bring imaginative silhouettes to life. In developing the Schuyler Sisters and their Circle exhibition, we uncovered details about the lives of Albany’s now-famous Schuyler sisters and their relationships with key figures in early American history using letters and objects they left behind. This fall we made waves in the international art community by showcasing a recently discovered oil sketch by Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641) owned by long-time Hudson Valley collector and close friend of the museum, Albert B. Roberts.

Our Junior Interpreters, high schoolers who give their own tours of our diverse exhibitions, continue to discover and develop new skills including public speaking to prepare them for life after high school . Thousands of students on field trips encounter our famed Albany Mummies for the first time .

None of this discovery would be possible without your support.
We hope you will consider making an end-of-year gift to the
Albany Institute of History & Art today.

We are looking forward to even more discovery in 2020. In our first exhibition of the new year, Recycled and Refashioned: the Art of Ruby Silvious , you’ll follow a journey of artistic discovery. Beginning with a cup of tea, Ruby’s creative process has taken her around the world crafting her own distinctive canvas out of recycled and reclaimed materials. In this exhibition, you’ll see scenes of Italy, Japan, and our own Capital Region delicately painted on carefully emptied, cleaned, and ironed bags of tea. More recently, Ruby has taken a fashionable step in another direction, making shoes from colorful pieces of salvaged paper. This regional artist’s gorgeous footwear and whimsical artistry have caught the attention of WMHT, Vogue Italia , Good Morning America, and more. Her creativity has inspired artists all over the world to discover the delight of using recycled materials as canvas.

Support from members, donors, and visitors like you allows us to achieve our mission of bringing a global perspective to the art, history, and culture of the Upper Hudson Valley to all visitors. By making a gift, you ensure that the Albany Institute of History & Art continues to be a place that fosters discovery through world-class exhibitions and programs.