Explore our new Downtown is Pawsome exhibit and experience a collection of 10 whimsical sculptures based on Albany's most famous dog — Nipper. Completed by local artists, these newly reimagined pups join seven existing statues from previous exhibits, which, together, reflect the culture, community, and history of downtown Albany.

 

Across the city's storied history, Nipper ranks top dog. The twenty-eight-foot-tall, four-ton canine statue is anchored atop a warehouse on North Broadway, capturing the attention of young and old alike for three generations.

 

Nipper was a real-life dog in nineteenth-century England immortalized in a painting by Francis Barraud. He depicted the dog listening to a gramophone and titled it “His Master’s Voice.” The artwork eventually became an internationally recognized logo for RCA.

 

Nipper was installed at 991 Broadway in 1958 for RTA, an appliance distributor specializing in RCA products. The sculpture was shipped by rail in five sections from Chicago and attached to the roof with the assistance of a ten-story crane.

 

Today, Nipper is ingrained in Albany's culture, with many hats, T-shirts, and more featuring his image.

New Sculptures (locations coming soon):

  1. ”Bark” – Mitchell Biernacki (@daydreamhuntr) | Sponsored by Jim & Lena Hart
  2. “Tail of the City” – Lexi Hannah (@lexihannah.art) | Sponsored by Fort Orange General Store 
  3. “Taking a Pawse in 1728” – Wendy Allen (@tartanandlace) | Sponsored by ParkAlbany 
  4. “Echo” – Stella Kibler (art_by_stellarae) | Sponsored by Downtown Albany BID
  5. “Lil’ Nips” – Benj Gleeksman (www.mistergleeksman.com) | Sponsored by Albany Convention Center Authority 
  6. “N1PP3R” – Aaron Northrup (The Custom Curiosities Company LLC) | Sponsored by Pioneer 
  7. “We Matter” – Jade Warrick aka TrashKiD (@TrashKid_art) | Sponsored by Emack & Bolio’s 
  8. “Joseph” – Chrissy Mabee (@unorthodox.visuals) | Sponsored by Downtown Albany BID
  9. “See Through” – Kymberli Gaillard (@kymberli_gaillard) | Sponsored by Downtown Albany BID
  10. “Paws on the Map” – Ottavia Huang (@ms.otter.studio) | Sponsored by Opalka Gallery at Russell Sage College 

 

Existing Sculptures: 

  1. "Capital Canines" by Mitchell Biernacki | The Olde English Pub & Pantry 683 Broadway (winter location: The Olde English Pub & Pantry phonebook)
  2. "Patriotic Nipper" by Tamara DeMartino | Currently at the "groomer" and will be back out on display at a later date
  3. "Cleeo of Clee Park" by First Church in Albany | inside First Church of Albany, 110 N Pearl Street (Inside First Church year round)
  4. "Happy Puppy" by Hazal Ozturk |  Inside Albany City Hall rotunda year-round
  5. "Industrial Anthropology" by Stephanie Levay | Outside Quackenbush Garage, 25 Orange Street (winter location: not accessible to public)
  6. "Awaken" by Stacey Healey | Inside Quackenbush Garage, 25 Orange Street (winter location: not accessible to public)
  7. "Up Above!" by Kimberly Schaller | Outside Renaissance Albany Hotel, 144 State Street (winter location: inside Renaissance Albany)
  8. "Bloomie" by Liz Zunon | Riverfront Garage at Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge (winter location: not accessible to public)
  9. "Interconnected" by Cara Hanley I Precision Fitness at 374 Broadway (winter location: not accessible to public)

View of Google map of the current sculpture locations and other public art projects here. 

 

ABOUT

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. The 2025 call for artists resulted in 130 applications, a record-breaking number, further cementing the importance of this exhibit in our community.

 

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.