Do you remember those 20 cute and colorful little Nipper sculptures around downtown Albany? That public art project was called Downtown is Pawsome, and recently, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announced there will be all new sculptures in the community starting this month.
A Celebration of the Arts & Nipper
In celebration of the opening of the Olde English Downtown Dog Park and Albany’s famous canine landmark, Nipper, the Downtown Albany BID presented the initial run of Downtown is Pawsome sculptures beginning in summer of 2017. These 20 sculptures were created by a variety of artists, and they soon became local attractions and popular selfie spots for visitors.
When this installation ended, 15 of the sculptures were sold at auctions, and over $60,000 was raised to benefit future public art projects, the artists, and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
For the 2019 Downtown is Pawsome installation, there will be 10 new sculptures designed by the following local and regional artists:
- Mitchell Biernacki | Troy, NY
- Tamara DeMartino | Troy, NY
- Cara Hanley | Latham, NY
- Stacey Healey | Adams, MA
- Stephanie Levay | Albany, NY
- Hazal Ozturk | Malta, NY
- Denise & Reily Poutre’ | Albany, NY
- Kimberly Schaller | Albany, NY
- Scotty Somerville | Saratoga Springs, NY
- Elizabeth Zunon | Albany, NY
The sculptures will be displayed at various outdoor locations in downtown Albany from July 2019 to August 2020. During winter, they will be moved indoors.
In a press release, Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID, said, “We are thrilled to expand the reach of this immensely popular Placemaking project that strengthens the bond that people have with Downtown. We know that art improves the image people have of their community, and this talented group of regional artists will undoubtedly bring joy and pops of bright color to our streets.”
Walking tour maps for the new sculptures will be posted on the BID’s website at https://downtownalbany.org/downtownispawsome
