Albany Parking Authority, Albany Center Gallery and Albany Barn announce continuation of #CapitalWalls in downtown Albany

Albany Parking Authority, Albany Center Gallery and Albany Barn announce continuation of #CapitalWalls in downtown Albany
 
Work has begun and will be completed in two weeks; vibrant and brightly-colored mural will be an attraction alongside the bluebirds in flight on the Quackenbush Garage
 
August 14, 2018, ALBANY – The Albany Parking Authority, in partnership with the Albany Center Gallery and the Albany Barn, is launching its latest mural project in downtown Albany. The vibrant scene will be alongside the Clinton Avenue off-ramp from I-787 and across from the north side of the Quackenbush Garage, which features the bluebirds in flight. This mural will be painted by Albany-born Liz Zunon and work has already begun. See in-progress photos here.

“The Albany Parking Authority has embraced art as a way to beautify our downtowns and contribute to the economic resurgence that Albany has seen,” said Kevin O’Connor, chair of the Albany Parking Authority Board. “Our garages and the adjacent public properties are blank canvases and some of the region’s greatest artists have helped highlight Downtown Albany’s revival as a place to live and work, and as a destination for dining, retail and the arts.”
 
“The widespread presence of public art is an integral component of building a vibrant city,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.  “This project will continue to transform the Quackenbush Garage into an urban canvas and I am thankful to the Albany Parking Authority for their commitment to reimagining and beautifying our City’s entryways.”

"Our goal is to inspire, educate and uplift the community while creating a sense of place," said Tony Iadicicco, Curator and Executive Director of the Albany Center Gallery. “This new mural will be another great addition to the creative movement in Albany and provide an additional link between the creative economy and our vibrant arts scene.”
 
“This mural, titled ‘Geraldine’s Reverie,’ explores what it means to me to be an artist – that is, the freedom of expression that we all have as children as we play, sing, dance, create stories and explore the world with no preconceived notions and no fear of judgement,” said Liz Zunon. “The joy that this freedom brings is the joy that I seek every time I create or enjoy an art piece, whether it be a musical performance, a dance recital, a piece of theatre, a visual art show or anything else. I invite everyone to experience the mural as a journey through the arts, leading to creative possibilities unknown."
 
Liz was born in Albany and spent her childhood in the Ivory Coast, West Africa; her father’s homeland. In the predominantly French-speaking country, her mother’s bedtime stories in English reinforced their bilingual and bicultural family life. As a child, she grew to love the art of painting, drawing, dancing, and performance. Staying with this passion, she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. Today, her work is largely influenced by her childhood in Africa, the places she’s travelled to and the people she’s met along the way. Now back in Albany, she focuses her art production on drawing, painting and collage.
 
“We continue to be excited about the opportunities being created for artists to bring their work to the public on this scale,” said Kristen Holler, Executive Director of the Albany Barn. “Liz’s piece will add another element of vibrancy that residents and visitors alike can appreciate for years to come.”

The public can follow along on social media by using the hashtag #CapitalWalls for the work-in-progress photos and videos. #CapitalWalls has curated six murals already, with this being the seventh.

The mural will be painted alongside a walkway adjacent to the north side of the Quackenbush Garage. Two years ago, local artist Michael Conlin painted a scene of bluebirds taking flight on the same side of the garage. Last year, Hellbent used bright colors and patterns to create a vibrant mural on the garage’s south and west sides.

About APA
The Albany Parking Authority’s mission is to provide secure, convenient and affordable parking in support of economic development in the City of Albany. The Albany Parking Authority manages more than 5,000 parking spaces to serve those that live, work or visit New York’s Capital. The Authority was established in 1983 and is authorized to construct, operate and maintain city public parking facilities. The Authority receives no tax support or Federal, State, City or private grants.
Media Contact: Andrew Mangini (518) 326-6400