ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART

ANNOUNCES ITS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND CELEBRATION

ALBANY, NY-The Albany Institute of History & Art is hosting a Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration starting Friday, November 23, 2007 to Sunday, November 25, 2007.  This three-day event includes FREE admission to the museum courtesy of M & T Bank, and the fall exhibitions, FABRICA: Fiber Constructs by Estelle Kessler Yarinsky, INDIAN LADDER, A LYRIC JOURNEY: Photographs by John Yang and THE HELDERBERG ESCARPMENT: A History of Tourism and Science.

Festivities include a variety of events for children and adults, highlighted by:

Friday, November 23; 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Drop-in art activities in the studio   

Saturday, November 24; 1:30 - 4:30 pm

The Puppet People present “The Firebird”

Inspired by the Russian folktale and popular ballet “The Firebird,” watch as even the impossible is possible, as the mythical firebird comes to life and Ivan and Princess Yelena team up to break the enchantment placed over their kingdom. 2:30 pm

In our studio, use a variety of mixed materials to create finger puppets. 1:30 – 4:30pm.

Sunday, November 25; 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Drop-in art activities in the studio

In addition to receiving FREE admission to the Albany Institute’s Thanksgiving Weekend celebration courtesy of M & T Bank, all members will receive a 20% discount in the Museum Shop.  Visitors to the museum will also have the opportunity to view the fall exhibitions FABRICA: Fiber Constructs by Estelle Kessler Yarinsky, INDIAN LADDER, A LYRIC JOURNEY: Photographs by John Yang and THE HELDERBERG ESCARPMENT: A History of Tourism and Science.

FABRICA consists of 20 large-scale portraits, made largely of printed and textured fabric, of people who have made a difference in the lives of their communities. INDIAN LADDER, A LYRIC JOURNEY includes 38 photographs capturing the beauty of Thacher Park and the Indian Ladder Trail. THE HELDERBERG ESCARPMENT features paintings, photographs, geological samples, and more highlighting the history and splendor of the Helderbergs.

Other exhibitions on view include:

·     IROQUOIS GAMES & DANCES: Paintings by Tom Two Arrows

·     FULL STEAM AHEAD: Robert Fulton and the Age of    Steamboats

·     THE HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL: Highlighting the Work of Sanford   R. Gifford

There will be a 20% discount on items in the Museum & Holiday Shop, featuring a wide variety of merchandise including jewelry, scarves, books of regional and national interest, calendars, ceramics, traditional blue and white delft and more. Holiday themed items available for purchase in the Holiday Shop include, Christmas and Hanukkah cards, ornaments, snowmen décor, holiday lights, Christmas and Hanukkah books for children and adults, Advent Calendars, angel chimes, holiday activity books and much more. 

To learn more about these programs and exhibitions and the Albany Institute of History & Art, please call 518.463.4478 or visit www.albanyinstitute.org   

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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.