Explore our new ӣƵ 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:

  1. ”Bark” byMitchell Biernacki () | Sponsored by Jim & Lena Hart I SUNY Plaza, 353 Broadway
  2. “Tail of the City” by Lexi Hannah () | Sponsored by Fort Orange General StoreI Fort Orange General Store, 412 Broadway
  3. “Taking a Pawse in 1728” by Wendy Allen () | Sponsored by ParkAlbanyI Green-Hudson Garage, located on Green St
  4. “Echo” by Stella Kibler () | Sponsored by ӣƵ Albany BID I Pommer Building I 153 S Pearl St
  5. “Lil’ Nips” byBenj Gleeksman () | Sponsored by Albany Convention Center AuthorityI Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St
  6. “N1PP3R” byAaron Northrup () | Sponsored by PioneerI Pioneer, 90 State St
  7. “We Matter” byJade Warrick aka TrashKiD () | Sponsored by I Jim DiNapoli Park, Pine St& Broadway
  8. “Joseph” byChrissy Mabee () | Sponsored by ӣƵ Albany BID I N Pearl St & Sheridan Ave
  9. “See Through” byKymberli Gaillard () | Sponsored by ӣƵ Albany BID I Olde English Dog Park I119 NPearl St
  10. “Paws on the Map” byOttavia Huang () | Sponsored byI Clinton Market Collective I 11 Clinton Ave

Existing Sculptures:

  1. "Capital Canines" by| 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 | inside First Church of Albany, 110 NPearl Street (Inside First Church year round)
  4. "Happy Puppy" by | Inside Albany City Hall rotunda year-round
  5. "Industrial Anthropology" by | Outside, 25 Orange Street (winter location: not accessible to public)
  6. "Awaken" by Stacey Healey | Inside, 25 Orange Street(winter location: not accessible to public)
  7. "Up Above!" by| OutsideRenaissance Albany Hotel, 144 State Street (winter location: inside Renaissance Albany)
  8. "Bloomie" by | at Hudson River Way Pedestrian Bridge (winter location: not accessible to public)
  9. "Interconnected" by Cara Hanley I Precision Fitnessat 374 Broadway (winter location: not accessible to public)

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ABOUT

The BID initially launched 20 ӣƵ 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.