Albany Center Gallery Celebrates Grand Opening at New Pearl Street Location
hostedaon Friday, January 16, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its new location at 48 N Pearl Street.
ACGExecutive Director Tony Iadicicco was joined by Albany Mayor Dr. DorceyApplyrs,Outreach and Special Projects Manager for Congressman Paul D. Tonko,Manik Elahi,State Senator Pat Fahy, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero,Capitalize Albany President AshleyMohl,ӣƵ Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens, and long-time artist andACG supporterWillie Marlowefor the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Electedofficials, business leaders, local artists, gallery members, and community residents gathered to tour the new space and experience thejuried by Kayla Carlsen of the Albany Institute of History & Art. As the inaugural exhibition in the new location, the show features work from276ACG artists and members.
An award ceremony followed at 6:30 PM, with $2,000in cash prizes presented to celebrate a wide range of artistic talent and creative expression. Awards were given tothefollowing artists:
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GeorgeDirolf
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Lee LaBier
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Rita Papandrea
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JoePutrock
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Ruby Silvious
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Irina Kaplan
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TinaLincer
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Justin O'Rourke
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Susan Stuart
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RamiroDavaro-Comas
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Tom Fox
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Mary Richmond
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D. Colin
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John Greenhut
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John Hampshire
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Joel Best
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T. E. Breitenbach
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Richard Garrison
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Susan Myers
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Julien Feller
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Sara Tack
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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 itsand reaffirms its commitment to ӣƵ.Thenew Pearl Street spaceis significantly larger,spanning6,600 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 growthnecessitateda space that could better reflect and support the organization’sfuturework.
Expanded space allows for more artwork to beshowcasedthroughoutdowntown Albany and the Capital Region—central to. 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 eventsare on the horizonas well, suchas open mics, performances, conversations, and community activities.
Theyouth education space is double the size of itspreviouslocation, allowing ACGtoimplementeven moreprogramming. First upwasafreeled by artist Krissy Monahanon Saturday, January 17.There will be more workshops like this in the future.
ACG’s location on Pearl Street also encourages visitors to furtherexploredowntown Albany, potentially for the first time. With popular nearby destinations includingAlbany Modern Body Art,Viva Empanadas,The Hollow Bar + Kitchen,Wizard Burger,Banh Mi 47,’s, andAlias Coffee,visitors can enjoy a vibrant mix of art, dining, and culture.
Therelocation was supported by a. Theprogram isadministered byand made possible by the. The grant award supported necessary renovations completed by the building’s property owner. The programassistsnew and existing businesses inestablishingor expanding aӣƵ retail presence.
tosupport its mission and helpestablisha strong foundationin its new home. The gallery aims to raise $48,000 by January 31, with ACG’s Board of Directors and dedicatedsupportersmatching donations up to $24,000. Funds raised will expand innovative programming,ensuring a thriving future for ACG at 48 N. Pearl Street.
TonyIadicicco, 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’sa big step forward for ACG and for the artists and community we serve.
We’redeeply grateful to our community, Board of Directors, artists, donors, supporters, and theJankowCompaniesfor their ongoing support and for helping bring this vision to life. As we move forward, weremaincommitted to our mission, uplifting,showcasing, and advocating for the creative community while bringing art everywhere.”
U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko said:“I’mthrilled 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 ӣƵ Albany and beyond. This new space will enable ACG to enhance programming offerings, launch new initiatives, and help even more local artistsshowcasetheir work while providing compensation that allows them to thrive in their careers. Today’s opening marks a major milestone in the ongoing revitalization of ӣƵ 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. DorceyApplyrssaid:“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 ӣƵ. Projects like this are exactly what we need, and Albany Center Gallery is a strong sign thatwe’reoff to a great start. Congratulations to Tony and histeam, andthank you toJankowCompanies and Capitalize Albany for their efforts in bringing this project to life."
New York StateSenator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) said: “Albany Center Gallery’s motto, 'More Art Everywhere', is about to get a big upgrade as their role in ӣƵ 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 theJankowCompanies recognizing the importance of this space for artists, children, and residents in the Capital Region. ACG's visible presence and beautification within ӣƵ Albany continues to grow, and this new space is far more than larger studio than theirprevious; 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 fornearly fiftyyears. 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 youthprograms 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 Streetrepresentsan important milestone for a long-standing organization within Albany’s arts community. Support through the ӣƵ Albany Retail Grant Program helpedfacilitatethe renovations needed toretainand expand this incredible asset in ӣƵ Albany. Albany Center Gallery is a welcome addition toJankowCompanies' significant investment, further activating this market-rate downtown residential mixed-use development. Investments like this help reinforce ӣƵ Albany as a place where arts organizations, businesses, and community activity can continue to grow.”
Georgette Steffens, ӣƵ Albany BID Executive Director, said:“We’reincredibly proud of the Albany Center Gallery team and Tony for bringing this new space to life, and we thankJankowCompaniesand Capital Albanyfor 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, andӣƵ employees to experienceour neighborhood.We’regrateful that ACG has chosen to call our neighborhood homeand look forward to collaborating on future events and programs.Congratulations!”
RyanJankow,JankowCompanies President, said:“We’reproud 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 ӣƵ 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 beenaccomplishedthrough the strategic planning and diligent work by Tony Iadicicco, Executive Director, the Board ofDirectorsand 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 andexhibitsart 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 bymembership;individual, corporate, government, and foundation donations; fundraisingevents;and commissions on the sale of art.
