ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART TO

REOPEN HUDSON RIVER GALLERY IN JUNE

ALBANY, NY—The Albany Institute of History & Art’s two third-floor galleries dedicated to the Hudson River School are temporarily closed until June 16. Upon reopening, THE LANDSCAPE THAT DEFINED AMERICA: Artists of the Hudson River School will be reinstalled in the West Gallery on the second floor.  The exhibition has been relocated to accommodate the new exhibition, FULL STEAM AHEAD: Robert Fulton and the Age of Steamboats, which opens March 24 and continues through December 31.    

The paintings in THE LANDSCAPE THAT DEFINED AMERICA are treasures of the Albany Institute’s permanent collection, and feature American views by first and second-generation Hudson River school artists including Asher B. Durand (1796 – 1886), Thomas Cole (1801 – 1848) and William Hart (1823 – 1894). Although the two dedicated Hudson River School galleries are temporarily closed, a selection of other works by Hudson River School artists will continue on view in the Lansing Gallery on the third floor, presented as part of the long-term exhibition, SENSE OF PLACE: 18^th and 19^th Century Paintings and Sculpture.

The Albany Institute of History & Art has rich holdings of work by Hudson River School artists. The collections includes over 60 paintings and oil sketches by first and second generation Hudson River School artists and over 100 sketches, sketchbooks, letters, photographs and other related materials.

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Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) is a 501(c) 3 cultural and educational institution dedicated to public service.  As a museum, its mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the art, history and culture of Albany and the upper Hudson Valley region from the 17th century to the present.  AIHA acquires collections, conducts research, produces publications, and offers a wide range of exhibitions, educational and public programs that appeal to diverse audiences ranging from pre-K to senior citizens.  The museum is open year round, Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is free to members and children under 6, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and $4 for children ages 6-12.  The Albany Institute of History & Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums and chartered by the New York State Department of Education.