CURRENT EXHIB IT ION

The installation above was inspired by an image of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their family around a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. The illustration appeared in the Christmas supplement of The Illustrated London News in 1848.

The exhibition, Well-Dressed in Victorian Albany, represents a rare opportunity to showcase part of the Albany Institute’s clothing collection, one of the museum’s treasures. For the first time in decades, visitors have the opportunity to see some of what’s been hiding in the museum’s closets—in this case, nineteenth-century Victorian fashion.

Well-Dressed in Victorian Albany presents an extraordinary selection of dresses collected by the Albany Institute over the past hundred years. Forty-four mannequins are dressed in clothing made of luxurious, vibrantly colored fabrics worn by residents of the Capital Region and beyond. Sewn by home seamstresses and professional dressmakers, these clothes belonged to middle-and upper-class women. Garments like these survived for several reasons: because of their sentimental associations, their aesthetic beauty, or sometimes because they were put away and forgotten.

From wedding gowns to walking suits, the garments featured in this exhibition reflect the evolution of fashion as well as the social and technological changes that took place during the reign of the British monarch, Queen Victoria (1837–1901).

The costumes on view tell many different stories and illustrate many aspects of nineteenth-century fashion and affluence. A diversity of shapes and silhouettes, such as the bustle or the leg-of-mutton sleeve, reflect the styles of different eras. Social conventions of the period demanded different outfits for each activity, and often multiple wardrobe changes a day. Fashionable clothing also reflected the broader aesthetic tastes of the time, such as the colonial revival of the 1870s or the Gilded Age excess of the 1890s. Wealthy American Victorians took their fashion cues from England and Europe, and examples of sophisticated design and complicated construction techniques are represented by gowns created by the Paris fashion houses of Emile Pingat, Charles Frederick Worth, Ernest Raudnitz, Callot Soeurs, and others.

Well-Dressed in Victorian Albany19th Century Fashion from the Albany Institute Collection

Major support for this exhibition was provided by: Anonymous, in memory of Hazel Smith, Jean and Peter Maloy, Magda and Gus Mininberg

Back: A Re-Installation of Nineteenth Century Sculpture Through December 31, 2017

There’s no turning back!

If you have visited the museum lately, you will notice something is different with the statues in our Sculpture Court. They are turned around.

Why do you think the sculptures are facing the other way? Are they trying to say something?

According to guest curator Jack Shear, this year’s juror for the Exhibition by Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region, the sculptures are turned to draw the visitors’ attention to the figures’ backs and thus shine a light upon the artistic detail which is just as important as the front view. Be sure to visit the Sculpture Court the next time you are at the museum!

CURRENT EXHIB IT IONS

Paintings of Addy®: Dahl Taylor’s Original Illustrations for American GirlOctober 14, 2017–June 3, 2018

In 1995, Albany-based artist Dahl Taylor was commissioned to re-illustrate the six-book Addy® series for American Girl, a venture begun in 1986, which combined beautifully produced dolls and historical fiction to become a national sensation. Over the next two years, Taylor worked with the American Girl staff to insure their vision and maintain historical accuracy. He found models for Addy and recurring characters in Albany.

This exhibition presents more than forty paintings Taylor created to illustrate the story of Addy Walker, a nine-year old girl born into slavery who escapes to freedom with her mother during the American Civil War. It also includes artifacts from the museum’s collection to illustrate daily life during the mid-nineteenth century.

Joan Steiner’s Look-Alikes® Opening November 24, 2017

Spotlight: Albany & Anti-Suffrage (September 2, 2017–March 31, 2018)

The Fashionable Portrait (July 15, 2017–March 31, 2018)

The Hudson River School: Landscape Paintings from the Albany Institute Ongoing

Ancient Egypt Ongoing

Traders & Culture: Colonial Albany and the Formation of American Identity Ongoing

Detail of one of the Joan Steiner dioramas on view.

Did you know? November is traditionally the month when we welcome the most visitors to the museum. I’m glad to report that we are ready for this year’s influx!

Our fall exhibitions opened with great success. Curator Diane Schewchuk skillfully juggled three dynamic shows– Spotlight: Albany & Anti-Suffrage; Well-Dressed in Victorian Albany: 19th Century Fashion from the Albany Institute Collection; and Paintings of Addy®: Dahl Taylor’s Original Illustrations for American Girl– and audiences are thrilled with the variety of topics they can explore at the museum. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, and interns who helped make these shows possible. We have welcomed a new manager for Crisan Café, Jenni Stanton, who is brewing seasonal drinks and developing a new menu for café patrons to enjoy. We’re also thrilled the café is back to our standard hours. In October, we said farewell (and good luck!) to our Special Events and Membership Manager, Briana Thomas, as she started a new job in Boston. The same week that Briana left, our new Director of Development, Nick DeMarco started. We’re so glad to be working with Nick as we conclude this year and prepare for 2018. We have some wonderful projects planned and it’s a year of opportunities for the museum. We still have a few fun things up our sleeves for 2017, including two sessions of the Art Connects program, a new family audio tour, and several Sunday lectures. We’re also going to be training a “class” of Junior Interpreters (more information in the next newsletter) and continuing to welcome school groups and tours. While you are thinking about your calendar, hold January 11-13 for the 2018 Wine & Dine for the Arts Festival. The Albany Institute is one of the beneficiaries of this remarkable event. I look forward to seeing you at the museum,

Tammis K. GroftExecutive Director

FROM THE DIREC TOR NEW STAFF

C R E D I T : A L L I S O N M U N S E L L N A P I E R S K I

Albany Institute Welcomes New Director of Development

Nick DeMarco joins the Albany Institute of History & Art from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), where he was the Manager of Institutional Giving.

“As a lifelong Capital Region resident, Albany has always been my home, and I am happy

to be able to support this amazing institution, which plays such an important role in the community. I look forward to broadening the museum’s reach and impact.”

While at MASS MoCA, Nick oversaw more than $1.1 million annually in grants and solicitations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level. He served as the Development office liaison for curators, educators, and artists to develop funding initiatives for institutional and community programming. He was also heavily involved in the execution of the museum’s $65 million Phase III capital campaign, which opened 130,000 square feet of gallery and production space to the public in May 2017. Prior to MASS MoCA, Nick worked at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA, administering the organization’s grants and corporate program and organizing special events in conjunction with the theater’s twentieth anniversary. In addition, he has ten years of retail and small business management experience.

Nick’s graduate studies focused on development, administration, and cultural entrepreneurship in cultural organizations. His research on cultural entrepreneurship used Proctors theatre in Schenectady as a case study and was featured in “Case Studies in Cultural Entrepreneurship: How to Create Relevant and Sustainable Institutions,” published by the American Association for State and Local History.

Nick has a BA in History from University at Albany, SUNY, and an MA in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. He serves as the Treasurer for the Cooperstown Graduate Association.

MUSEUM CALENDAR

NOVEMBERSPECIAL EVENT

A Work of Art Thursday, November 2, 5:30–8PM$75 members, $100 non-members

Work of Art is the Albany Institute of History & Art's fall fundraiser. This year, join us as we recognize Tony Iadicicco as a Work of Art for all of his remarkable accomplishments as a champion of contemporary art in the Capital Region. As Executive Director of Albany Center Gallery, Iadicicco

has continued the legacy of ACG as a vibrant hub for artists and has grown it into an essential part of downtown Albany. This is the sixth year for this cocktail party and art auction event.

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, November 3, 5–8PM | Free admissionThe galleries, museum shop, and Crisan Café will be open for extended hours.

LECTURE

Albany Medical Center: History and ArchitectureSunday, November 5, 2PM | Included with museum admissionDr. Douglas Cohn, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Director of the

Animal Resources Facility at Albany Medical Center.

The talk will explore the hospital's his-tory from the 1830s through 2016. It will touch upon the history of medicine and architecture in our region and look at several prominent professionals in these respective fields: Alden March, Phillip Hooker, Albert Fuller, and Henry Blatner.

GALLERY TALK

Spotlight: Albany & Anti-SuffrageThursday, November 9, 6PM | Free admission

During the struggle for women’s suffrage in New York, many of Albany’s

most prominent citizens fought against granting women the right to vote.

This tour will highlight the stories of Albany’s anti-suffragists using objects

on display in the exhibition.

FREE ADMISSION DAY

Veterans Day ObservedFriday, November 10, 10–5PM | Free admission

Drop-in Art Making 10AM–4:30PM

Bring the whole family to enjoy the galleries and programs of the Albany

Institute of History & Art for free! Visitors of all ages will enjoy decorating

patriotic flags in our art studio.

This free admission day is sponsored by

FREE ADMISSION FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

Veterans DaySaturday, November 11, 10AM–5PM

The Albany Institute of History & Art will offer free admission to all active

and retired military personnel with ID. Thank you for your service!

SPECIAL PROGRAM

Art ConnectsThursday, November 14, 2PM

See Museum Programs section on page 6 for more information and for

registration details.

LECTURE

Caring for Your Family’s CollectionsSunday, November 19, 2PM | Included with museum admission

Gwen Spicer, Owner of Spicer Art Conservation

Wondering how to care for your family heirlooms? Join renowned expert

Spicer for an overview of good habits, sage advice, and examples of

helpful techniques.

FREE ADMISSION WEEKEND

Home for the HolidaysFriday, November 24, 10AM-5PM

Saturday, November 25, 10AM-5PM

Sunday, November 26, 12PM-5PM

Come take your photograph with Santa;

discover decorated trees and mantelpieces;

admire a special exhibition of miniature

dioramas by Joan Steiner, the award-winning

illustrator and creator of the Look-Alikes®

books; make crafts; shop for handmade items

and one-of-a-kind gifts in our Museum Shop;

savor exquisite treats from Crisan Bakery;

explore our current exhibitions; and more! Full

schedule online.

SPECIAL EVENT

The Albany Book and Paper FairSunday, November 26, 10AM–4PM | $6 per person

Polish Community Center at 225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany

Dealers in antiquarian and out-of-print books, manuscripts, autographs,

postcards, maps, posters, photographs, and ephemera offer their best for

sale. The Albany Institute is a sponsor for this event. For more information,

visit www.albanybookandpaperfair.com.

SPECIAL PROGRAM

Art ConnectsThursday, November 28, 2PM

See Museum Programs section on page 6 for more information and for

registration details.

Albany Hospital, c. 1925,gelatin silver print, MPC43aB1

P J W A L K E R P H O T O G R A P H Y

MUSEUM CALENDAR

DECEMBERFIRST FRIDAY

Friday, December 1, 5–8PM | Free admission

The galleries, museum shop, and Crisan Café will be open for

extended hours.

LECTURE

Say No to the DressSunday, December 3, 2PM

Included with admission

Diane Shewchuk, Curator

In this fun and frank tell-all with exhibition

curator Diane Shewchuk, see what wasn’t

chosen for the exhibition Well-Dressed in

Victorian Albany. Learn why a certain gown

by the House of Worth was left in the closet

or why a stunning child’s dress was left in

the box.

SPECIAL EVENT

Freelancers Networking EventWednesday, December 6, 5:30–7:30PM

Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE)

There are over 16,000 fascinating creative freelancers living and working

in the Capital Region—fashion designers, artists, filmmakers, event

producers, and others. Meet, mingle, and learn more about this new and

innovative approach to creative careers. Free, but registration is required.

Register at UpstateCreative.com.

ADULT ART WORKSHOP

Lace BraceletsThursday, December 7, 6–7:30PM | $10 members; $15 non-members

Create your own jewelry inspired by the embellishments in Victorian

fashion. Use beads and buttons to decorate a piece of lace into a

personalized accessory for you or make a fabulous gift item for the

upcoming holidays. Registration is available online. For more information,

go online to www.albanyinstitute.org, call (518) 463-4478, ext. 435, or

e-mail clowes@albanyinstitute.org.

VACATION BREAK ART WORKSHOP

Victorian Drawstring Bags Ages 8 and above

Friday, December 29, 2–3PM

$15 non-members; $10 members

Craft your own special drawstring bag inspired by Victorian reticule

handbags. Participants will practice basic cross stitch technique for the

drawstring and add on fancy details with beads, ribbon, and more!

Registration is required and space is limited. Tuition includes materials

and museum admission. Accompanying adults are asked to stay on the

museum premises. Register online at albanyinstitute.org

Holiday Hours

Sunday, December 24: Galleries, Café, Shop open from 12PM–5PM

Monday, December 25: Museum Closed

Tuesday, December 26: Galleries, Café, Shop open from 10AM–5PM

Wednesday, December 27: 10AM–5PM

Thursday, December 28: 10AM–8PM

Friday, December 29: 10AM–5PM

Saturday, December 30: 10AM–5PM

Sunday, December 31: Galleries, Café, Shop open from 12PM–5PM

Monday, January 1: Museum Closed

ONGOING PROGR AMS

PUBLIC PROGRAM

Gallery TalksMost Saturdays and Sundays at 1PM | Included with admissionLed by volunteer docents.November 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 | December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 30

FAMILY PROGRAM

Art for AllMost Saturdays from 10AM–4:30PM | Included with admission

Bring your family to the museum and spend the day being creative.

November 4, 11, 18: Illustrate & Paint Your Own Storybook CharacterDraw inspiration from the Paintings of Addy®: Dahl Taylor's Original Illustrations for American Girl exhibition and create your own storybook character. December 2, 9, 16, 30: Recycled Mini Look-Alike SculpturesGet creative and reuse everyday items to create miniatures in the style of Joan Steiner's Look-Alikes® dioramas.

Popular Program Returns Art Connects is back! This program is designed for people affected with early to mid-stage Alzheimer's and other memory loss with their care givers. Visiting the museum and looking at paintings, sculptures, and artifacts may rekindle memories and emotions, are special social occasions, and lively outings for men and women who live with this disease. We will use our collections to renew and build social connections in which all can participate and enjoy. It does not require a background in art, nor does it rely on memory. Participants will register for one-hour sessions that are offered on Tuesday afternoons at 2PM for no more than six participants per session. Each session will give time to build relationships and a sense of community with the art and with each other.

Upcoming Session Dates: November 14 at 2PM | November 28 at 2PMThere is no fee for this tour program, but pre-registration is required. To register, call Maria Vann at (518) 463-4478 ext. 404 or vannm@albanyinstitute.org The museum is working to possibly offer the Art Connects program once per month from March through June of 2018. More information will be released soon.

Free School Programs

Have you heard? The Review Foundation awarded the Albany Institute of History & Art a three-year grant to support education programs at the museum. This grant allows

the Education Department to provide free field trips to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes from Title 1 Schools in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties during the 2017-2018 through 2019-2020 school years. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Patrick Stenshorn at (518) 463-4478 ext. 405 or stenshornp@albanyinstitute.org.

MUSEUM PROGR AMS

Family Discovery Audio Tour Now Available

Listen, look, and engage with the Albany Institute in a new way! This fall, the Education Department is excited to introduce an interactive audio tour for families. Supported by AT&T, the Family Discovery Tour will lead visitors throughout the museum to enjoy highlights of our collection. Along the way, guests will be prompted to engage and interact with the art and history that abounds. For instance, visitors might be asked to pose like a sculpture, create stories about the images they see, go on a scavenger hunt, or engage in other fun ways. The tour will be available through three formats including: dial-in, URL, and QR code access. Smartphone tours will include images, audio, rich text formatting for the deaf and hard of hearing, have multi-language support, as well as an option for making a donation. The tour will also offer a phone prompted survey so you can give feedback, which we always value.

The Family Discovery Tour begins this fall. Stop at the admission desk to get started. More tours are already being planned for the

future, so keep your ears open for new themes and new ways to explore the museum!

Thomas Cole Objects On Loan to Metropolitan Museum of Art and National Gallery, London, England

In January 2018, the Institute is lending three objects to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their exhibition, Thomas Cole’s Journey: Atlantic Crossings. These include Cole’s painting of the Interior of the Colosseum, Rome, his early pencil drawing of a tree, titled “From Nature,” and Cole’s U.S. naturalization document, which is part of the Institute’s manuscript collection.

All three items will be on view at The Met from January 30 through May 13, 2018. After the exhibition closes in New York, the Institute’s painting and the drawing will travel to the National Gallery, London, England, for the exhibition’s sole European venue.

MUSEUM NEWS

From Nature, Thomas Cole (1801–1848), Ink on paper, 1823, gift of Edith Cole (Mrs. Howard) Silberstein, 1965.68.1

P H O T O : J A K E P L A N C K , C I T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T O F A L B A N Y

THANK YOU

Looking for gifts that are both beautiful and meaningful?

Stop by the Museum Shop where you will find lovely hand-made jewelry, pottery, and scarves by local artists and a wide selection of carefully chosen books, toys, cards, puzzles, prints, and ornaments that complement the Albany Institute's exhibitions and collections. At the Museum Shop, every object has a story. These fascinating rings and bracelets are made with antique Victorian buttons, very similar to the buttons on the dresses on view in the current 19th Century Fashion exhibition. Stop by the museum shop this holiday season and take home a beautiful piece of history.

MUSEUM SHOP

Art Connects Sponsors

Art Connects has been made possible through the generous support of The Marjorie Rockwell Fund for the Disabled of the Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region, Susan L. Blabey, Lois and David Swawite, and Paul and Patricia Gioia. Additional support for Art Connects given as a memorial to the memory of David Blabey by the following:Mrs. Sherry B. Bishko, Mr. Eugene Blabey II, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Blabey, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bollam, E. Kristen Frederick and William F. Bortis, The Casssady & Hildebrand Families, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Clash, Cullen and Dykman LLP, Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Cushing, Lorraine and John D’Aleo, Mr. Michael D'Aleo, Mrs. Carole A. Diesel & Mr. R. Wayne Diesel, William Donnino, Dr. and Mrs. David J. Duquette, Jeff and Mary Durgee, Mr. and Mrs. James Featherstonhaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Feldstein, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fitzgerald, Ms. Sherry Gold, Ms. Gail H. Gordon, Dr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Harper, Mr. Frank Herbert, Richard and Chris Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Johnson III, Mr. Gary J. Lavine, Mr. John Nigro, Plummer & Wigger, LLC, Railroads of New York, Ms. Paula Read, Ruth Campbell Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. David E. Roos, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sheehan, Stuart Silbergleit, Ms. Jacqueline A. Smith, Ms. Judith Twombly, Mr. David Wells, Harry Yohalem, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene W. Zeltmann

Work of Art Sponsors PL ATINUM: Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc., Omni Development Company, Inc., The Gorman Group, and Times Union

GOLD: Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne, LLP and Keeler Motor Car Company SILVER: Austin & Co., Inc., Callanan Industries, Inc., CMI Communications, Groff NetWorks, LLC, J. H. Maloy Inc., and Trudeau Architects, PPLC BRONZE: Albany Medical Center, Bette Cring Construction Group, Capital Bank, CDPHP, CL King & Associates, Lavelle Finn LLP, The Massry Family, MM Hayes, Nigro Companies, RBC Capital Markets, Sano-Rubin Construction Services, Stuyvesant Plaza, UHY LLP, The University at Albany Foundation, and Wells Fargo COPPER: Berkshire Bank, Susan L. Blabey, Boies Schiller Flexner, Connon Heyman & Weiss, LLP, E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy, Levitt-Fuirst Insurance, Robert E. Lynch at Morgan Stanley, Mirkovic Teal Group, Nixon Peabody LLP, Nowak Associates, The Pilates Principle, The Rosenblum Companies, Siena College, Stewarts Shops, Tabner, Ryan & Keniry, LLP, and Woodland Hill Montessori School

ABOVE: (Detail) An Old Man’s Reminiscences, Asher Brown Durand (1796–1886), 1845, oil on canvas, gift of the Albany Gallery of Fine Arts, 1900.5.3

125 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210albanyinstitute.org | (518) 463-4478

AL

BA

NY

INS

TIT

UT

E

OF

HIS

TO

RY

& A

RT

NO

VE

MB

ER

- DE

CE

MB

ER

20

17

Don’t miss Crisan Café at the Albany Institute! Enjoy a selection of sweet treats from Crisan Bakery, espresso from Stacks Espresso Bar, bagels and breads from Bread Alone, and savory homemade quiches and sandwiches.

ADMISSIONMembers Free | Adults $10 | Seniors (62+) $8 | Students with ID $8Children 6-12 $6 | Under 6 Free | * Free admission 5—8PMCheck our website for admission discounts

HOURS

Cover Image: Cover Image: Raspberry Dress with White Beads, Marie and Josephine Virfolet, New York City, ribbed silk, silk satin, glass seed beads, 1867, gift of the estate of Maurice Moore, in memory of his wife, Mary DeCamp Banks Moore, 1972.95.7. Photograph by Michael Fredericks.

GalleriesSunday: Noon−5PM Monday & Tuesday: ClosedWednesday: 10AM−5PMThursday: 10AM−8PM*Friday & Saturday: 10AM−5PM

Cafe & ShopSunday: Noon−5PM Monday: ClosedTuesday & Wednesday: 10AM−5PMThursday: 10AM−8PMFriday & Saturday: 10AM−5PM