Public Art Outdoors in Winter: Art in CapNY

Want some ways to enjoy art, stellar local food AND the great outdoors? Lucky for us, CapNY is filled with amazing public art! From historic architecture and neighborhoods to public art “galleries” in urban alleyways, CapNY writer Jessica Kelly found six great sites that we can enjoy all winter.

The first location is the Reflection Pool at Empire State Plaza. The pool is lined with 16 monumental mid-century sculptures by world-renowned artists such as Claes Oldenberg, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, and more. On a gloomy winter day, these pops of movement and color can bring some happiness and perspective. Next, head into the Empire State Concourse to warm up from the frigid temperatures. There, you’ll find dozens of large-scale (and some absolutely huge) paintings, and more amazing sculptures. Check out this video preview of the indoor and outdoor collections!

Did you know that Saratoga’s High Rock Park is home to a memorial made of steel from the Twin Towers? The sculpture, titled “Tempered By Memory,” was created by John Van Alstine and Noah Savett in 2012. The artists use the recovered materials to thoughtfully memorialize those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  

After a reflective walk through High Rock Park, I highly recommend brunch at Hattie’s, served on Saturdays and Sundays. They have tasty Bloody Marys, warm biscuits with honey butter, and the best cheesy grits. 

Love contemporary art ? Head to Art Omi! This 120-acre sculpture and architecture park is a quarantine-friendly, no-cost way to take in art and fresh air. You’ll see amazing sculptures (look for the Olaf Breuning work, “Clouds,” towering over 30 feet) and stunning architectural work (don’t miss “Magnetic Z,” by Cameron Wu). Check out this printable map to see all that Art Omi has to offer. Best of all, you can snowshoe or ski through the site! Hungry? Great! Drive 10 minutes to Saisonnier for an artisanal sandwich or cheese board. Try one or two of their craft beers. Did we mention that they have 125 craft beers available for in-house or take-out?

The amazing and powerful murals during the Black Lives Matter protests introduced me to Troy’s art scene. More recently I discovered the artwork in Franklin Street Alley. Artist Joe Lurato and other local creatives developed this interactive installation. The installation is filled with painted murals and built structures. These ingeniously incorporate the existing pipes, ladders, and lights.

If you’re trying to find its exact location, put the address of Dutch Utter Ice Cream Shop in your GPS, 282 River St Troy. It’s the alley right next to it! After exploring, walk over to grab an order of some of the best crispy wings CapNY has to offer at The Ruck.

The Capital Walls project is an endeavor of Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Albany Parking Authority. Capital Walls has sponsored 14 colorful murals (and counting!), by local artists across downtown Albany. Grab this handy tour map before you head out. After snapping some IG photos in front of the murals, stop by Druthers Brewing Company (1053 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204) for delicious mac & cheese like their Memphis BBQ Mac with smokey, tender pulled pork, spicy jalapeño ranch coleslaw, and sweet BBQ sauce.

Outside of Druther’s, be sure to take a peek at Nipper. This Albany icon is a four-ton, 28-foot tall steel and fiberglass painted dog atop an old concrete warehouse. It’s one of the most IG worthy spots in the downtown area!

The murals are scattered, but a good place to start is at Albany Center Gallery: 488 Broadway #107, Albany, NY 12207.

  • Stockade Historic District

The Stockade Historic District is in the northwest corner of Schenectady, on the banks of the Mohawk River. It is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and has been continuously inhabited for over 300 years. You’ll see 50 pre-Revolutionary houses in various styles that include Dutch Colonial, Georgian, Federal and Victorian along your walk. A good starting point to explore the neighborhood is 100 North Ferry St. This will bring you to the heart of the Stockade, right in front of the statue of “Lawrence the Indian.”

You don’t have to be a history lover to appreciate the gorgeous, unique artistic features of each of the homes. Come winter, there’s and especially majestic feeling as the homes are decorated with holiday lights and pines. You can even download a self-guided tour of the neighborhood!

jess kelly
  • Written by: Jessica Kelly

Jess is a journalist and photographer with a focus on food, travel, and entertainment. She’s written for over 10 different local publications in New York State, in addition to the Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, AAA Northeast, Eater, Dame Traveler, Food52, Insider, Wine Enthusiast, Kitchn, AAA World Magazine, Thrillist, and more. Follow her adventures on Instagram @Adventures.Are.Waiting.

Karina Wojnar of Albany Center Gallery: CapNY Creative

Karina Wojnar is the Development & Membership Manager at Albany Center Gallery. In this position, she fills her time writing grants, planning programming, increasing community outreach efforts, and working with ACG members.

She wants our readers to know her as a daughter, a sister, and friend – someone who prioritizes amplifying the voices of the unheard in the CapNY community. She’s a creative millennial powerhouse.

  • Karina Wojnar, where are you from?

I am originally from Northern NJ, a small lake town called Ringwood. Currently I live in Albany! I went to Siena College and loved the area, so I decided to stay after graduation. Why? The people. The energy of the people. The architecture. The quirks. The random cobblestone streets and historical buildings. Running into people you know in cafes and farmer’s markets. The fact that there are people dedicated to community and positive change. How active people are in politics, human rights, and deeper conversations.

Artwork by Karina
  • How did you get into the creative field?
Karina’s a yogi too!

I’m lucky. My parents value art as essential, so it was always my path to be in the creative field. I grew up dancing, participating in theater, writing, reading, and prioritizing art classes. I applied to colleges with the intention of getting a business degree with a focus in the arts. Throughout my time at Siena College, I fell in love with social justice and the overlap between humanity and art.

Human beings use art to emote, to share facts, to evoke, to connect with one another. I believe art to be how humans use their VOICE. Everyone has a voice and a different way of expressing it, whether through music, visual art, performance, writing, fashion, etc. We all deserve to be heard.

In a prior conversation between the two of us, you mentioned you feel like you haven’t necessarily found your creative voice yet. Can you talk a little bit about that? I feel that many people can relate.

I’m still experimenting. For the past couple years, I’ve been combining complementary colors and mixing embroidery into paintings. I’m still learning and figuring out technique. People say that once you can become decent at replicating a piece or style of yours over and over– you’ve found your voice.

I’ve been reading “Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic” by Lisa Congdon. It’s been encouraging and affirming to know that my voice matters and it’s all a part of the process. This journey; experimenting, actively listening to my fellow creatives, research…it will all shape my voice, my art, and my life.

Painting
  • What is it like being part of an arts community in CapNY? What has it been like working with local creatives?
ACG hosted a public art bike tour in downtown Albany

In one word…inspiring. Communication and dialogue with fellow creatives is so important. We inspire each other, help each other out, lift each other up. It’s been rewarding. Working with the local arts community is the reason I want to stay in the area.

  • If you could leave our readers with a word of advice or positivity, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself and your art out there. Your voice matters. Black Lives Matter. Black Art Matters.

  • Connect with Karina Wojnar
Instagram
  • Written by: Gabby Fisher

Gabby is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, matchmaker, & hypewoman. She is also the Lead Consultant on the CapNY Brand Initiative. She lives in Schenectady with her poodle Mochi and 60+ houseplants. Check out her website!

CapNY Road Trip: Columbia County Treks

Columbia County is home to stunning hikes, streams and waterfalls — perfect in all four seasons. Plus, there’s the thriving cultural scene, with standout sites like Olana and Art Omi, and many more venues. This road trip is focused on a fantastic, full day of nature, dining, history and culture!

Walking and Hiking

High Falls Conservation Area, 540 Roxbury Road, Philmont, 12565. The High Falls Area is home to Columbia County’s highest waterfall – over 150 feet high! The shady, wooded trails lead you to a dramatic overlook with views of the falls. Plus, you’ll have easy access to the beautiful, babbling Agawamuck Creek. There are a total of 1.5 miles of hiking trails on the 47-acre site, as well as great fishing.

Copake Falls / Taconic State Park, 253 Route 344, Copake Falls 12517. Copake Falls is part of Taconic State Park, a 14-mile range that borders on both Massachusettes and Connecticut. There are an array of hiking trails throughout the site. But the highlight is definitely the paved, creekside path to the spectacular. Bash Bish Falls. Funny enough, you’ll start the trail in New York, but Bash Bish is actually in Massachusettes, just across the state border.

High Falls Conservation Area, 540 Roxbury Road, Philmont, 12565. The High Falls Area is home to Columbia County’s highest waterfall – over 150 feet high! The shady, wooded trails lead you to a dramatic overlook with views of the falls. Plus, you’ll have easy access to the beautiful, babbling Agawamuck Creek. There are a total of 1.5 miles of hiking trails on the 47-acre site, as well as great fishing.

Beebe Hill and Harvey Mountain State Forests, Austerlitz, 12107. 30 miles of beautiful hiking trails link these two state forests, which include two lean-tos and a climbable fire tower. Because these forests are very large, you might want to use this handy map for easy location of parking and trail access points.

Ooms Conservation Area, 480 Rock City Road, Chatham, 12037. Explore three miles of easy trails on 180 acres of rolling grasslands. There’s a beautiful pond, pastoral landscape, Catskill mountain views, and benches and a gazebo for relaxing and birdwatching.

Harrier Hill Park, 6729 Rod and Gun Road, Stockport, 12534. There are two great hikes here. First, stroll down the small loop that has benches overlooking a pond and a gorgeous Catskills vista (plus a pavilion, for post-COVID gatherings). The second option is the 4-mile roundtrip trail that connects to Stockport-Greenport Trail. And there are even more hiking opportunities in the Greenport Conservation Area. This one has a ravine pass that’s a bit challenging, but totally worth it!

Art and History

Olana State Historic Site, 5720 State Route 9G, Hudson 12534. First on the Columbia county treks is Olana. The Olana estate was home to Frederic Edwin Church, one of the major figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His eclectic, Victorian / Moorish / Persian style villa has truly thrilling views of the Hudson River Valley, the Catskill Mountains and the Taconic Range — click here for some breathtaking aerial shots of the grounds (see, I wasn’t kidding!). You’ll find walking paths to keep you busy all afternoon. Open 8:30am to sunset.

Olana Exterior Fall

Copake Iron Works Historic District, 35 Valley View Road, Copake Falls 12517. Copake Iron Works is home to a dozen well-preserved 19th century iron works buildings and structures. Follow the shaded, creekside, 3-mile loop trail that links the Copake Iron Works with Bash Bish Falls (see above). It’s a really nice meander, I highly recommend!

Art Omi, 1405 County Route 22, Ghent, 12075. Art Omi is a free-range art experience where 120-acres of sculptures and structures await you! You can wander through wonderful woods and gorgeous fields, or borrow one of the on-site bikes. Fortunately, Art Omi is open every day from dawn until dusk, and admission is free. Can’t navigate the grounds on foot, or want to learn more about Art Omi? Click here for a great virtual tour.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Rd, Kinderhook, 12106. After Van Buren lost his second-term presidential bid, he retired to this home in his native Kinderhook. This site offers two great options. First stop is to visit the historic home, where Van Buren entertained politicians and dignitaries until his death in 1862. Next, hike one of the two walking trails go through here: the Dutch Farming Heritage Trail and the Wayside Loop Trail. Click here for a virtual site tour!

Food and Drink

Random Harvest, 1785 State Route 23, Craryville 12521. Random Harvest is a worker-owned neighborhood market, cafe, and community space that provides food and goods sourced directly from farmers and producers. Even better, it’s located very near Copake Falls, so make this place a must-stop after your waterfall hike.

Roe Jan Brewery, 32 Anthony Street, Hillsdale, 12529. A brand new brewery / restaurant in a very old (1851) building. You’ll love what they’ve done with the place — the setting is as special as the beer and food! Plenty of outdoor seating and a seasonal menu to match the weather.

West Taghkanic Diner, 1016 NY-82, Ancram, 12502. One of my favorite spots in the Capital Region. Picture a classic diner menu, reimagined using locally grown produce, grains, dairy and meat. And don’t just take my word for it — the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Esquire and many more agree.

More Food and Drink for Your Columbia County treks

Pico de Gallo on the Hudson, 48 Riverview Street, Stuyvesant, NY 12173. Chef Moises Ortiz hails from Pueblo, Mexico, and he’s worked in many top New York City restaurants. We’re glad he’s settled in the Capital Region! And then there’s the pretty little village of Stuyvesant. Be sure to leave yourself some time for a post-meal stroll.

Bartlett House, 2258 Route 66, Ghent, 12075. Fantastic bakery and homemade, locally sourced food, served up in a beautifully restored 1870 building with a lovely, picturesque porch. Take your lunch over to nearby Art Omi, and eat on the rolling hills, amidst the sculpture!

4 Fantastic Murals: Public Art in CapNY

One of the first things I research before exploring a new area is the city’s best street art.

All it takes is one exceptionally talented individual with a vision to turn a forgotten building, a bridge underpass, or an easily overlooked alleyway into a destination itself as an outdoor art gallery.

There are so many fantastic murals in CapNY to explore, but these are a few of my favorites. 

  • The Big Picture, Troy

Artist Kevin Clark created a beautiful mural on the side of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall to give visitors an idea of what the amazing venue looks like inside. The painting makes you feel like you’re in the audience, adding some visually stunning imagery to what was once just a bland bank building.

As you’re viewing the mural, you might notice a bunch of names edged into the bottom. Those are names of past performers that have stood on that stage. Some pretty impressive people — from Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall and SO many more — are on that list. After you take a look at the piece, walk on over to the Whistling Kettle at 254 Broadway for a sandwich, tea, or pastries. If they have the roasted red pepper soup with smoked gouda, you must try it. You’ll pass shops and boutiques along the way, be sure to pop in.

You can see this mural at 50 2nd Street, adjacent to the Troy Music Hall parking lot.

  • Love Goes On, Albany
“Love Goes On” by Nick Walker

Downtown Albany has so many fantastic murals popping up, bringing life to buildings and neighborhoods throughout the city. For example, when exploring the area for the first time I came across ‘Blue birds’ by Michael Conlin (located on the Quackenbush Garage at 25 Orange St.) and ‘Float and Flight’ by John Breiner (under the I-787 ramp Clinton Ave exit, behind the Quackenbush Garage). Both stopped me in my tracks.

One of my personal favorites is ‘Love Goes On’ by Nick Walker. It was one of the first murals I saw in the area and I fell in love with it! After exploring some local fantastic murals, grab a flavorful, healthy lunch at one of my favorite spots — Lark St. Poke Bar.

The Love Goes On mural is on the eastern-facing wall of the Green-Hudson Parking Garage.

  • The Chatham Boxcar, Chatham

My boyfriend and I were recently driving through Chatham in Columbia County. Besides the adorable shops (there are many!), I spotted a bright turquoise boxcar. Located in what looked like the remnants of a parking lot, artist Brian Buono decided to take an old boxcar and turn it into a work of art.

After taking photos of Brian‘s beautiful work, head over to Bimi’s Cheese Shop to grab some cheeses to go for a charcuterie board at home or a delicious grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of steaming hot soup.

You can see this mural on Main Street in Chatham.

  • Enkyu, Hudson
Artist A.W. Gurrero painting his section of the Enkyu/Like Minded Objects mural in Hudson

Hudson is such an amazing town. There are SO many boutique shops to explore and delicious restaurants to try. Another thing I noticed while browsing the streets was the mural. There are some really interesting paintings within this collaborative collage, from Hudson-based artists like Alexander West Guerrero. And, it’s a great place to capture some IG pics.

You can see the mural at 2 Park Place.

jess kelly
  • Written by: Jessica Kelly

Jess is a journalist and photographer with a focus on food, travel, and entertainment. She’s written for over 10 different local publications in New York State, in addition to the Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, AAA Northeast, Eater, Dame Traveler, Food52, Insider, Wine Enthusiast, Kitchn, AAA World Magazine, Thrillist, and more. Follow her adventures on Instagram @Adventures.Are.Waiting.