The Albany Institute of History & Art is happy to once again host the Free Thanksgiving Weekend in conjunction with the Holiday Gift Fair- three full days of holiday fun for the entire family, all free of charge.  This event is supported by M&T Bank.

Gift Fair

Friday, November 25, 10:00-5:00pm
Saturday, November 26, 10:00-5:00 pm
Sunday, November 27, 12:00-5:00 pm

Bring your holiday shopping list to the Albany Institute Gift Fair.  The work of more than 50 vendors will be on display throughout the museum, showcasing beautiful and distinctive gifts by local jewelers, craftspeople, and artists.  The general public will be able to shop at the Gift Fair throughout the weekend during normal museum hours.  Throughout the fair, members can enjoy a 10% discount from the Museum Shop as well as from participating vendors.

Craft Vendors: There is still time to register! 
Please fill out and return the application according to instructions. To view floor plans and for more information, please contact our Museum Shop at museumshop@albanyinstitute.org.

LEGO® BUILDING CHALLENGE:
Albany Architecture
November 25, 11:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:00-4:00 pm
November 26, 11:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:00-4:00 pm
November 27, 1:00-3:00 pm
ALL SESSIONS ARE NOW FULL
Take part in the LEGO® Building Challenge and create your own take on Albany's Architecture.  The challenge is open to individuals, partners, and teams of all ages (up to four people per team).  So grab your family, colleagues, and friends and get building!  Basic LEGO®s will be provided, or you can bring your own.  Challenge participation is free, but spaces are limited so reservations are recommended.  Contact Barbara Collins, Education Coordinator, at collinsb@albanyinstitute.org.

LEGO® DEMONSTRATIONS BY WILLIAM LEUE
Enjoy an exhibition of Albany buildings recreated by expert LEGO® builder William Leue, who will be constructing a LEGO® model of Albany's former Trinity Church.

LEGO® Model, 2009

William Leue’s LEGO Model is of two Italianate brick row houses patterned after two real houses on Elm Street between Swan and Dove in Albany. Bill, his wife, and his parents lived on this block in the 1970s and 1980s. The blue house and the orange house with black trim are faithful reproductions of the color schemes from that time period. The two models together contain 1,630 LEGO bricks.

Book Signings:
November 25, 2 PM, Children's book reading & signing
Linda Elovitz Marshall
Talia and the Rude Vegetables
The book, written for children ages 3 to 8, is a delightful tale of a city girl who visits her grandmother in the country and mistakes “rude” vegetables for “root” vegetables as they prepare a traditional Rosh Hashanah stew.

November 26, 2 PM, Book signing
Jan Marin Tramontano
Standing on the Corner of Lost and Found
Set in Albany in the 1960s and 70s, this book is Tramontano’s first novel.  A well-known area writer, her poetry, stories, book reviews, and interviews have been published in numerous regional literary journals, magazines and newspapers.  The author will sign books following the reading.

November 27, 2 PM, Book signing
Robert M. Toole
Landscape Gardens on the Hudson: A History
This work is the first comprehensive study of the development of Hudson River landscapes and the important role they played in the cultural underpinnings of the young United States, a legacy that continues today with the design of America’s urban parks and nearly every rural or suburban home.

VENDORS INCLUDE:

• Addie's Trinkets
• ADK Designs*
• Ali Hermann Artwork & Jewlery*
• Annabella Designs*
• As the Wheel Turns*
• Beads on Fire*
• Black Dome Press*
• Brunhilde Miller*
• Cariku Designs
• D E Spencer*
• David Hassel Cabinetmaker*
• Fleur de Lys Jewelry- Designs by Pamela*
• Flying Cat Studio*
• Found Treasures*
• Glassy Beads*
• Grace and Carolyn Designs*
• Hiderbooks*
• John de Rosier Jewelry*
• Julie Andrea*
• Kenneth Miller*
• Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry*
• Kyoto Kimono*
• L Fabrika*
• Lloyd Spear Beekeeper*
• Lua Cheia Jewelry*
• Off the Hook by Brooke*
• Pinewoods Potters*
• Primary Silk Creations*
• Quiltings by Audrey*
• Robert Selkowitz Studio*
• Sistahs Vintage*
• StaceySmile Creations
• Sue's Stuff*
• Tamohara Collection*
• V.R. Grant Photography*
• We Are Living Lean LLC*
• Winternight Whimsy*
• Wooden Writers*

* Vendor will provide AIHA members with a 10% discount.
Please remember to bring your AIHA membership card to this event.

© Albany Institute of History & Art    125 Washington Avenue  Albany, NY   12210  Tel: 518.463.4478  E-mail: information@albanyinstitute.org