Photo of ribbon cutting (photo by jay zhang)

Albany Center Gallery Celebrates Grand Opening at New Pearl Street Location 

 Albany Center Gallery (ACG) hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, January 16, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its new location at 48 N Pearl Street. 

 

ACG Executive Director Tony Iadicicco was joined by Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Outreach and Special Projects Manager for Congressman Paul D. Tonko, Manik Elahi,  State Senator Pat Fahy, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, Capitalize Albany President Ashley Mohl, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens, and long-time artist and ACG supporter Willie Marlowe for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

 

Elected officials, business leaders, local artists, gallery members, and community residents gathered to tour the new space and experience the 21st Annual Members’ Show, juried by Kayla Carlsen of the Albany Institute of History & Art. As the inaugural exhibition in the new location, the show features work from 276 ACG artists and members. 

 

An award ceremony followed at 6:30 PM, with $2,000 in cash prizes presented to celebrate a wide range of artistic talent and creative expression. Awards were given to the following artists:  

  • George Dirolf 

  • Lee LaBier 

  • Rita Papandrea 

  • Joe Putrock 

  • Ruby Silvious 

  • Irina Kaplan 

  • Tina Lincer 

  • Justin O'Rourke 

  • Susan Stuart 

  • Ramiro Davaro-Comas 

  • Tom Fox 

  • Mary Richmond 

  • D. Colin 

  • John Greenhut 

  • John Hampshire 

  • Joel Best 

  • T. E. Breitenbach 

  • Richard Garrison 

  • Susan Myers 

  • Julien Feller 

  • Sara Tack 

  • Diana Westbrook 

 

ACG’s 21st Annual Members' Show will be available for public viewing through Friday, February 20, 2026, and is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from Noon – 5:00 PM. 

 

ACG was previously located in the Arcade Building at 488 Broadway for nearly a decade. The move marks the organization’s sixth location since its founding in 1977 and reaffirms its commitment to Downtown. The new Pearl Street space is significantly larger, spanning 6,600 square feet, with the majority dedicated to flexible exhibition space and youth education programming, alongside office, communal, and storage areas. 

 

Over the past five years, ACG has expanded from three employees to seven and now works with more than 400 artists annually. This growth necessitated a space that could better reflect and support the organization’s future work. 

 

Expanded space allows for more artwork to be showcased throughout downtown Albany and the Capital Region—central to ACG’s mission. Iadicicco shared that the gallery plans to increase programming, projects, events, and initiatives, while continuing to fairly compensate local artists and collaborators for their work. New events are on the horizon as well, such as open mics, performances, conversations, and community activities.  

 

The youth education space is double the size of its previous location, allowing ACG to implement even more programming. First up was a free Screen-Printing Workshop led by artist Krissy Monahan on Saturday, January 17. There will be more workshops like this in the future. 

 

ACG’s location on Pearl Street also encourages visitors to further explore downtown Albany, potentially for the first time. With popular nearby destinations including Albany Modern Body Art, Viva Empanadas, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Wizard Burger, Banh Mi 47, Elif’s, and Alias Coffee, visitors can enjoy a vibrant mix of art, dining, and culture. 

 

The relocation was supported by a Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program award. The program is administered by Capitalize Albany Corporation and made possible by the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation. The grant award supported necessary renovations completed by the building’s property owner Jankow Companies. The program assists new and existing businesses in establishing or expanding a Downtown retail presence. 

 

ACG is currently fundraising to support its mission and help establish a strong foundation in its new home. The gallery aims to raise $48,000 by January 31, with ACG’s Board of Directors and dedicated supporters matching donations up to $24,000. Funds raised will expand innovative programming, ensuring a thriving future for ACG at 48 N. Pearl Street. 

 

Tony Iadicicco, ACG Executive Director, said: “This move marks an exciting new chapter for Albany Center Gallery. With more space, we are able to support more artists, present more ambitious exhibitions, and bring even more of the community together under one roof. Our new home at 48 North Pearl Street allows us to expand our programs, activate the gallery with evening events, and create dynamic, welcoming experiences where art becomes part of everyday life in downtown Albany. It’s a big step forward for ACG and for the artists and community we serve. 

We’re deeply grateful to our community, Board of Directors, artists, donors, supporters, and the Jankow Companies for their ongoing support and for helping bring this vision to life. As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission, uplifting, showcasing, and advocating for the creative community while bringing art everywhere.” 

 

U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko said: “I’m thrilled to join in celebrating the grand opening of Albany Center Gallery’s new location on Pearl Street — a proud symbol of ACG’s commitment to supporting artists and fostering appreciation for the arts here in Downtown Albany and beyond. This new space will enable ACG to enhance programming offerings, launch new initiatives, and help even more local artists showcase their work while providing compensation that allows them to thrive in their careers. Today’s opening marks a major milestone in the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Albany, and I look forward to seeing how ACG will continue to use the power of the arts to inspire residents and visitors to our Capital Region for generations to come.” 

 

Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs said: “I am thrilled that Albany Center Gallery has not only expanded its footprint by moving into a new building, but also expanded its offerings of youth educational programming, events, and artwork. The City of Albany is focused on making the city vibrant and fun, and this expansion directly supports that mission by bringing both new and returning visitors to Downtown. Projects like this are exactly what we need, and Albany Center Gallery is a strong sign that we’re off to a great start. Congratulations to Tony and his team, and thank you to Jankow Companies and Capitalize Albany for their efforts in bringing this project to life." 

 

New York State Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) said: “Albany Center Gallery’s motto, 'More Art Everywhere', is about to get a big upgrade as their role in Downtown Albany continues to expand with their new space on Pearl Street. I was proud to secure funding in the past for Albany Center Gallery’s youth art programs, and I appreciate the Executive Director, Tony Iadicicco, and the Jankow Companies recognizing the importance of this space for artists, children, and residents in the Capital Region. ACG's visible presence and beautification within Downtown Albany continues to grow, and this new space is far more than larger studio than their previous; marking a significant investment in our community, public art, and visitors in the Capital Region.” 

 

Assemblymember Gabriella Romero (D, WFP) said: “I am thrilled to attend such an important milestone for the Albany Center Gallery, which has served as a pillar of our community for nearly fifty years. This new location will allow the Gallery to continue to provide a shared space to hundreds of Capital Region artists. Having these spaces in Albany promotes a sense of community among not just artists, but the public at large, helping inspire, educate, and foster dialogue about the arts. Thank you to the ACG for carrying out this essential mission, I am proud and grateful to see your continued commitment to arts in the Capital Region.” 

 

Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive, said:  “I am pleased to see the Albany Center Gallery expanding their roots to a larger space, which will continue to grow their already immense impact on our community. From exhibitions to pop-up shows to youth programs and more, Albany Center Gallery has been a cultural staple in the heart of downtown Albany for over 45 years. The gallery has allowed thousands of artists to connect with the public, following through on their mission of promoting established and emerging artists of the Capital Region to inspire the community to appreciate the importance of art. Expression through art not only has a positive impact on mental health but brings our community together. More space means more art, expanding programming, and a wider range of opportunities for the community and visitors to experience the power of art.” 

 

Ashley Mohl, Capitalize Albany Corporation president and City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation CEO, said: “Albany Center Gallery’s new location on North Pearl Street represents an important milestone for a long-standing organization within Albany’s arts community. Support through the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program helped facilitate the renovations needed to retain and expand this incredible asset in Downtown Albany. Albany Center Gallery is a welcome addition to Jankow Companies' significant investment, further activating this market-rate downtown residential mixed-use development. Investments like this help reinforce Downtown Albany as a place where arts organizations, businesses, and community activity can continue to grow.” 

 

Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the Albany Center Gallery team and Tony for bringing this new space to life, and we thank Jankow Companies and Capital Albany for playing a key role in making it possible. The expanded space means more art, more workshops, more paid opportunities for artists, and more ways for visitors, residents, and Downtown employees to experience our neighborhood. We’re grateful that ACG has chosen to call our neighborhood home and look forward to collaborating on future events and programs. Congratulations!” 

 

Ryan Jankow, Jankow Companies President, said: “We’re proud to welcome Albany Center Gallery to 48 North Pearl Street and to support an organization that plays such a vital role in Albany’s creative and cultural landscape. This project reflects our commitment to investing in Downtown spaces that foster community, creativity, and economic vitality. Seeing this gallery come to life in its new home is a testament to the power of thoughtful development and strong partnerships. Congratulations to ACG on the new space!” 

 

Willie Marlow, longtime member and local artist, said: “Artists in the Capital Region are fortunate to have Albany Center Gallery, and now even more so as we move into this expansive new space.  This has been accomplished through the strategic planning and diligent work by Tony Iadicicco, Executive Director, the Board of Directors and the staff.  Over the long time since the founding of the gallery by Les Urbach, it has grown in scope to include innovative programs that have expanded possibilities for artists at every level, while also honoring the original concept of the gallery:  to show the best art by artists in a one hundred mile radius of Albany.  We artists appreciate Albany Center Gallery and welcome this exciting new chapter!” 

 

About Albany Center Gallery 

Albany Center Gallery promotes and exhibits art produced by the region’s emerging and established artists and engages, enriches, and inspires the community to appreciate the importance of art. 

We are a nonprofit, community-based organization that is supported by membership; individual, corporate, government, and foundation donations; fundraising events; and commissions on the sale of art. 

Back to News Feed
Downtown Newsletter
Contact Us