Downtown Albany
About
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) will host the 2025 Downtown is Pawsome Garden Party at Tricentennial Park, located at the corner of Broadway and Columbia Street, on Wednesday, July 9, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Presented by the Fort Orange General Store, join us to celebrate this successful placemaking exhibit featuring ten talented regional artists who have creatively customized a Downtown is Pawsome sculpture, highlighting their unique artistry.
Enjoy live music, a silent auction featuring gifts from local businesses, delicious food from local vendors, and a variety of beverages in the newly renovated park at the heart of our city. These painted pups aim to creatively transform spaces enjoyed by Downtown neighbors, employees, and visitors alike.
Tickets and Pricing
- $65 advance
- $75 door
- $50 for under 30
Honorary Committee
Proudly show your support for public art in Downtown by joining the Downtown Is Pawsome Honorary Committee! Your name will be listed prominently alongside the Downtown Is Pawsome and Garden Party sponsors on display boards at the event. Learn more and join here!
- $100 honorary individual
- $175 honorary couple
Silent Auction
Bid on exciting items and services from local businesses while supporting the local economy! Don't miss out on items from the following businesses:
Albany Center Gallery: A complimentary membership to Albany Center Gallery, branded merch, and art supplies
Albany Symphony: Voucher for four tickets to an Albany Symphony 2025-26 season performance valued
B. Lodge & Co.: Gift certificates
Castle Island Bilingual Montessori: Parent-Toddler Program: Six-Week Session, Montessori Parenting Book: The Montessori Toddler, and Bilingual Board Book
Downtown Albany BID: Six tickets to Hot Chocolate Stroll, two VIP backstage passes for PearlPalooza, and Downtown Albany Swag
Fort Orange General Store: A gift basket with select merchandise from the Fort Orange General Store
Fresh & Fly Clothing: Brand new Size 11 Michael Jordan Basketball Sneakers with a matching T-Shirt
Historic Albany Foundation: Gift basket with HAF family membership, artwork, and merchandise
McGreevy ProLab & ProPress: Gift certificates
Motor Oil Coffee: Gift basket of Motor Oil Coffee and swag
Pizzeria Sapienza: Gift certificate
Renaissance Hotels: Certificate for a one-night weekend stay with breakfast for two and one gift certificate to Wellingtons
Seriously Spotless: A gift basket with Seriously Spotless cleaners, disinfectants, towels, and more
The Hollow Bar & Kitchen: Gift certificate
Yono's: Gift certificate
Artists
- Wendy Allen I @tartanandlace
- Mitchell Biernacki I @daydreamhuntr
- Kymberli Gaillard I @kymberli_who
- Benh Gleeksman I mistergleeksman.com
- Lexi Hannah I @lexihannah.art
- Ottavia Huang I @ms.otter.studio
- Stella Kibler I @art_by_stellarae
- Chrissy Mabee I @unorthodox.visuals
- Aaron Northrup I Custom Curiosities Company
- Jade Warrick I @trashkid_art
Award Recipients
Eugene O'Neill & Jade Warrick
Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture, and Education Award
Annette Nanes
Civic Arts Patron Award
Sponsors
Sponsors can receive exclusive benefits, including the Right of First Refusal to purchase the Nipper statue at the end of the exhibit. Leave your mark on this iconic exhibit, and support public art in Downtown by becoming a Downtown Is Pawsome sponsor. Additional details on this sponsorship opportunity can be downloaded here.
Platinum Sponsors
The Fort Orange General Store,
Gold Sponsors
Albany Convention Center Authority
ParkAlbany
Emack & Bolio's
James & Lena Hart
Opalka Gallery at Russell Sage College
Pioneer
Silver Sponsors
Camp Bow Wow
Capital Bank
Community Bank
Media Sponsor
Metroland Now
Special Thanks
City of Albany
Lee Gordon Dixon
For details on how to become a sponsor, click here.
Parking
Complimentary parking is available for the first 100 guests at the Riverfront Garage, just steps away from Tricentennial Park, courtesy of the Albany Parking Authority. A code will be provided prior to the event.
Metered street parking in downtown Albany is free after 5:00 PM on weekdays and on weekends. Please refer to on-street signage for additional parking rules. Flat-rate parking is available at Albany Parking Authority's garages, including Riverfront and Quackenbush, if the complimentary parking runs out.
About the Downtown Is Pawsome Exhibit
The BID initially launched 20 Downtown is Pawsome sculptures in the summer of 2017. The Nipper design resonated strongly with both artists and the public, resulting in nearly 90 applications for the project's open call for artists. The sculptures quickly gained popularity as local attractions and selfie spots for residents and visitors alike, prompting the commissioning of another round of Nippers in 2019. This year's Call for Artists resulted in over 130 applications.
Notable recipients of the statues include RCA Records, City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and the family of the late Harris Sanders, the Capital Region architect who introduced the iconic Nipper to the Albany skyline in the Warehouse District more than 60 years ago. Eight statues remain on display throughout the District during the warmer months. Learn more here.
