"Within Us" Project
Who We Are
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“Within Us” is a collaboration between Albany Center Gallery (ACG), Albany County Department of Mental Health (DMH); Albany County Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF); American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Capital Region New York Chapter; and local artists.
ACG believes that creating an open and safe space, sharing stories, and engaging in the arts creates a sense of community and normalizes discussions of taboo topics. Art is a catalyst for healing and can serve as a tool for fostering community discourse around difficult subject matters, such as mental health and suicide.
Phase 1
In collaboration with Albany Center Gallery (ACG); Albany County Department of Mental Health (DMH); Albany County Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF); American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Capital Region New York Chapter; and artist Jade Warrick aka TrashKiD Art, ACG announces Phase 1 of “Within Us”, taking place over April, May, and June 2025.
Click here to learn more!
We hosted workshops with different local organizations with a focus on youths aged 13 to 18, to create a safe space and stimulate dialogue regarding suicide prevention and mental health. From these workshops and conversations, artist Jade Warrick aka TrashKiD Art created this moveable mural that will continue to incorporate a community interactive element as well.
Phase 2
Phase 2 of the Within Us Project launched at ACG’s 2nd Annual Summer Art Fest
on July 19, 2025 from Noon - 5 p.m.!
Artists BOOGIEREZ, Ramiro Davaro-Comas, Cara Hanley, Alicia Lea, and Kim Tateo were live painting moveable murals during the festival, with each design connecting to mental health and suicide prevention awareness, while uplifting and connecting the community.
Learn more about BOOGIEREZ's mural here
Learn more about Ramiro Davaro-Comas's mural here
Learn more about Cara Hanley's mural here
Learn more about Alicia Lea's mural here
Learn more about Kim Tateo's mural here
Phase 2 of Within Us is a collaboration between Albany Center Gallery (ACG); Albany County Department of Mental Health (DMH); Albany County Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF); and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Capital Region New York Chapter.
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Phase 3
Phase 3 of “Within Us” will incorporate a public installation in September 2025, which is National Suicide Prevention Month.
Further details will be announced soon.
Sponsors
“Within Us” is funded by Albany County’s American Rescue Plan grant (ARPA) awarded to Albany County Department of Mental Health, John D. Picotte Family Foundation, Cynthia Kim, and the RED Bookshelf Albany.
Additional Phase 1 workshop support provided by UAlbany Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program.
Resources
List of resources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Capital Region New York Chapter
https://afsp.org/chapter/capital-region-new-york
Albany County Department of Mental Health
https://www.albanycountyny.gov/departments/mental-health
Albany County Department of Children, Youth & Families
https://www.albanycountyny.gov/departments/children-youth-and-families
Get Involved
There will be various community interactive elements throughout the project. Please follow @albanycentergallery on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates on how to participate!
If you are an organization or business interested in doing a workshop, mural, or any art-related engagement regarding mental health and suicide prevention, please email Andrew at info@albanycentergallery.org