Fundraising Galas & Events

History Happy Hour

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21 and over: Thursday, May 14 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm

ONLINE SALES ARE SUSPENDED. TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR $25 AT THE DOOR. THANKS!

Come one, come all to Albany's first History Happy Hour

Network and mingle with other like-minded history and museum-buffs, enjoy selections of local beer, wine, and delicious hors d'oeuvres. This is also your chance to experience and explore the Albany Institute's galleries after hours.

For less than what you pay at a traditional happy hour, this is your chance to sip and schmooze at one of the region's premier museums!

Tickets are limited. Get yours today! (No physical tickets will be sent. You will be put onto our RSVP list.)

$20 in advance
$25 at the door

Sponsored by: The Albany Institute of History & Art, The Historic Albany Foundation, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

In partnership with: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Cultural Affairs, Museum Association of New York (MANY), Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Partners for Albany Stories (PASt)

 

IMAGE: Operation "Go Home" at Plaza, Broadway, Albany, N.Y, c. 1950, Unidentified photographer, Gelatin Silver Print, ht. 7" x w. 9", Albany Institute of History & Art Library, 1993.010.136P, 52

Hudson Valley Hops 2015

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Saturday, April 18 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18.

Come join us at the fourth annual Hudson Valley Hops! This fun, regional craft beer and cider tasting is a fundraiser for the museum and it's an opportunity for the community to see brewing and distilling artifacts from the Albany Institute's collection, hear from industry experts, and receive a commemorative glass. Special this year, there will be a one-time tasting of Chatham Brewing's "Albany Institute Ale", which was brewed exclusively for this event!

In advance: $30/Albany Institute members; $35/ general public (ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED)
At the door: $35/Albany Institute members; $40/general public

Please call (518) 463-4478 for more information.

Breweries include (as of March 23, 2015):

  • Adirondack Pub & Brewery
  • Brewery Ommegang
  • Brown's Brewing Company
  • Chatham Brewing LLC
  • C.H. Evans Brewing
  • Crossroads Brewing Company
  • Druthers
  • Keegan Ales
  • Olde Saratoga Brewing Company

With special guests

  • Albany Distilling Company
  • Nine Pin Cider Works

Sponsors include:

  • Ben & Jerry's
  • Cafe 217/ Susie's Pub
  • The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center
  • The Gingerman/Washington Tavern
  • The Grille at 138™
  • Iron Gate Cafe
  • Lionheart Pub
  • Maggie's Sports Bar
  • Mazzone Hospitality
  • Milano Restaurant & Bar
  • Morgan Linen Services Inc
  • New World Bistro Bar
  • TimesUnion.com/TableHopping
  • Yelp

Guest Speakers:

  • Tessa Edick, author of Hudson Valley Food and Farming: Why Didn't Anyone Ever Tell Me That? will be here as part of the launch of her new book and will talk about her in-depth exploration of Hudson Valley foods. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
  • Gerry Lorentz, Dean of the Northeast Center of SUNY/Empire State College, will explore the ancient history of brewing
  • Bill Newman, craft beer pioneer and former owner of the Wm. S. Newman Brewing Company of Albany, NY will talk about how he got into brewing in the early 1980s and established one of the first craft breweries on the East Coast
  • Roger Savoy, owner of Homebrew Emporium, will share his insight into the homebrew market

$30.00

2015 Museum Gala Honorary Committee

Friday, April 10 • 9:00am - 5:00pm

It is with pleasure that the museum announces its 2015 Gala Honoree: Elizabeth Sonneborn

We will honor Betty Sonneborn for her support of arts institutions in Albany. Betty has been volunteering at the Albany Institute since the early 1950’s, and has been an associate member of the Board of Trustees since 1978. She has been active in arts and educational charities in Albany for fifty years, helping and encouraging countless children to reach their potential. Betty is also an artistic legend in the Capital Region, well known for her pen and ink drawings of local homes.

AIHA is proud to recognize and honor her at this year’s Gala. Please join us in thanking her for her dedication by being part of the Honorary Committee.

Please fill out and send the 2015 Museum Gala Honorary Committee Response Form (PDF) to the Albany Institute of History & Art at 125 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210 by April 10, 2015.

The Gala provides the financial foundation for the Albany Institute and each year it nets over $150,000 to support the exhibitions and programs that help us serve our community. Honorary committee members play an important role helping the Institute preserve our history and keep the spirit of creativity alive in the Hudson Valley.

The Gala will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the home of Denise and Tony Gorman.

$350.00

Spirit of the Valley

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21 and over: Wednesday, January 28 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Join us for our inaugural Spirit of the Valley event, part of a series aimed at highlighting the rich history and culture of the Hudson Valley and the innovative spirit of the people who live here.

Come celebrate the history of distilling and the blossoming boutique distillery movement in the Hudson Valley. Sample local spirits, enjoy Hudson Valley savories, meet area distillers, and discover the deep-rooted history of regional distilling.

DISTILLERIES

  • Albany Distilling Company
  • Black Dirt Distillery
  • Hillrock Estate Distillery
  • Tuthilltown Spirits

GUEST SPEAKER
John Curtin, owner and distiller at Albany Distilling Company
Curtin will reveal the tradition of distilling rum in Albany and talk about Albany's 18th century rum distillery.

SPECIAL TOUR
Doug McCombs, chief curator at the Albany Institute
McCombs will lead a special tour of historic Hudson Valley textiles found in our current exhibition Undercover: Revealing Design in Quilts, Coverlets, and Bed Hangings.

TICKETS
$20 museum members /$25 non-members
For more information and to purchase tickets, you may also call (518) 463-4478 ext 412.

 

 

IMAGE: Twilight at Olana, Bill Sullivan, 1990, Oil on canvas, Gift of David K. Kermani, 1996.63.

Home for the Holidays: Free Thanksgiving Weekend

Friday, November 28 • 10:00am - 5:00pm Saturday, November 29 • 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday, November 30 • 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for a variety of holiday themed programs and events. We'll be decked out in winter wonder and ready to welcome you and your out-of-town guests!

  • Shop for fun, old-fashioned toys, handmade ornaments, crafts and gifts by area artisans
  • Enjoy a variety of trees showcasing one-of-a-kind, artist-made ornaments, and trees decorated by contributions from the community
  • Browse our special sale of handmade ornaments in our Museum Shop
  • Sample Dutch cookies and treats available at the Museum Shop
  • Admire community-made quilt blocks from our Quilt Wall Hanging Challenge, created to celebrate our current exhibition, Undercover: Revealing Design in Quilts, Coverlets, and Bed Hangings
  • Explore our current exhibitions

This event is sponsored by Times Union.

Special activity schedule:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28

  • Photographs with Saint Nicholas: 10AM-5PM
  • Live Reindeer on lawn near Washington Avenue: 12PM-4PM
  • Make Your Own Ornaments (Drop-in Art Making Session): 10AM-4:30PM
  • Gallery Talks: 1PM, 2PM, 3:30PM
  • Demonstrations by members of the New York Capital District Chapter of the Embroiderer's Guild of America: 10AM-4PM
  • Demonstrations by Mary Ann Hoffay of Mountain Weavers: 10AM-5PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29

  • Make Your Own Ornaments (Drop-in Art Making Session): 10AM-4:30PM
  • Gallery Talks: 1PM, 2PM, 3:30PM
  • Photograph Opportunity in front of decorated mantels: 10AM-5PM
  • Demonstrations by members of the New York Capital District Chapter of the Embroiderer's Guild of America: 10AM-4PM
  • Demonstrations by Mary Ann Hoffay of Mountain Weavers: 10AM-5PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

  • Make Your Own Ornaments (Drop-in Art Making Session): Noon-4:30PM
  • Gallery Talks: 1PM, 3:30PM
  • Lecture & Book Signing by author Peter G. Rose for her new book Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats: 2PM
  • Dutch treats made by Dutch Desserts
  • Miniature Hooked Rug Demonstration by Judith Vincent: 1PM-4PM
  • Photograph Opportunity in front of decorated mantels: Noon-5PM

In addition, there will be lots of opportunities to shop! The museum is organizing a Children’s Holiday Toy Shop with a large selection of advent calendars, art and history toys and games, puzzles, puppets, stocking stuffers, artist holiday cards, and ornaments by artists from the region and from around the world. Home for the Holidays will also be a one-stop destination for all sorts of Dutch cookies and treats, such as Speculaas Dutch windmill cookies, Dutch chocolate gold-foil coins, Dutch chocolate shoes, Dutch chocolate Pastilles, traditional Wilhelmina peppermints, Katjesdrop (licorice cats), Muntdrop (licorice coins), Stroopwafels, as well as a wonderful selection of traditional blue and white Dutch ornaments, candles, and gifts.

Vendors that specialize in handmade products have been invited to display their items at Home for the Holidays. They include Kuhn Artworks, Brunhilde Miller Fine Art Quilts, Ken Miller Fine Art Woodworking, Erin Kaukas Designs, Grace & Caroline Designs, Christine Suruda Fabric Crafts, Sistah’s Vintage Aprons, Paper Pheasant, Glatsical Creations, MsLissaLaneous, Julie Andrea Creations, Viking Woodworking, and Mountain Weavers. Additional vendor lines will be available in the Museum Shop.

Work of Art

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Friday, November 14 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE CALL (518) 463-4478 TO RESERVE TICKETS FOR TONIGHT'S EVENT.

Join us for the third annual Work of Art held in the 2014 Exhibition by Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region. Mingle among art and artists as you sip cocktails and delight in the savory fare of Mazzone Hospitality.

Tickets start at $75. For more information and to purchase tickets, order them here, call Andrew Alliger at 463-4478, ext. 412 or email him at alligera@albanyinstitute.org.

This event is hosted by the Special Events Committee and is sponsored by Nigro Companies.

 

JOIN THE MUSEUM! Buy two Work of Art tickets at the non-member price and get a one year membership to AIHA for free! Offer only valid for new members.

 

IMAGE: Richard Garrison, detail of Circular Color Scheme: Walmart, May 22-27, 2013, Pages 1-2. "Celebrate With Savings", 2014, selected from the 2014 Exhibition by Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region.
Treatment designed by Kristina Almquist Design.

MEMBER MONDAY Undercover: Revealing Design in Quilts, Coverlets, and Bed Hangings

Monday, November 3 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Members are invited to join Chief Curator Douglas McCombs, PhD, on a tour of our newest exhibition, Undercover: Revealing Design in Quilts, Coverlets, and Bed Hangings.

We'll look at the textiles in the show and then go behind-the-scenes to see more.

Space is limited. For more information, and to RSVP, call Andrew Alliger at (518) 463-4478, ext. 412.

Membership certainly has its benefits!

Cocktails and Conversation

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Monday, September 15 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm

All 2014 Museum Gala corporate sponsors and their guests are invited to a private, behind-the-scenes collections tour with Executive Director Tammis Groft. This event is hosted by the Gala Committee and the Business Relations Committee. We hope to see you there. Thank you for your support!

For more information, or to RSVP, call Nicole Peterson at (518) 463-4478 ext. 414.

2014 Museum Gala Honorary Committee

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Friday, June 6 • 6:00pm - 11:00pm

The Albany Institute of History & Art's Museum Gala will be at the home of Tony and Denise Gorman on Friday, June 6, 2014.

The Board of Trustees and the Gala Committee of the Institute are dedicating this year's gala to Kimberly and Stewart Jones for their philanthropic support of our community. Kimberly sits on many boards in the Capital Region, including those of the University at Albany Foundation and Unity House. She is a supporter of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Capital Repertory Theatre, Families in Need of Assistance, and the Troy Music Hall, in addition to the Albany Institute of History & Art. Stewart, the third generation lawyer at the namesake firm founded by his grandfather, has twice been chair of the board of Albany Law School, is the current chairman of the board at the Albany Academies and Vice-Chair of the board at SPAC, amony many other philanthropic commitments.

The evening will begin with cocktails on the lawn, followed by a lovely seated dinner where we can join together to congratulate our honorees and enjoy each other's company. Throughout the night, auctions, artists and culinary treats will create a truly memorable event as we honor friends and support a worthy cause. To cap off the night, dessert will be served under the stars and our friend Angelo Mazzone and his staff will ensure that everyone has a fabulous time.

The Gala is the Institute's largest and most important fundraising event. Please consider joining the honorary committee as a benefactor or patron. As an Honorary Committee member, you will receive one ticket to the event and be listed prominently on the invitation and program book.

BENEFACTOR LEVEL: $500 per person

PATRON LEVEL: $300 per person

Traditional tickets will be available at a later date. They will start at $200.00 per person. Check back soon to buy them!

$300.00

AIHA Gala 2014

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Friday, June 6 • 6:00pm - 11:00pm

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY TO SPEAK WITH A STAFF PERSON TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION. THANK YOU!

Sip cocktails on the lawn, participate in an art auction, and enjoy other entertainment at this year's Albany Institute Museum Gala! Share a seat under the tent for a lovely dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality. While dining, place your bids in a lively auction and enjoy other delights. The evening honors E. Stewart and Kimberly Jones for their philanthropic support of our community.

Tickets start at $200 and proceeds benefit the exhibitions and programs of the Albany Institute. Please call Andrew at 463-4478 ext. 412 to join us or to make a donation in Kim and Stewart's honor.

Gala Committee

Deborah Bennett, Frances Chiaretta-Smith, Denise Crisafulli, Barbara Featherstonhaugh, Nichole Gialanella, Barbara Hoehn, Nuhar Jaleel, Kimberly Sanger Jones, Jill Leonard, Jean Lewis Maloy, Jennifer Oberting, Morgan White Whalen, Karen Writer

Gala History

The Albany Institute of History & Art’s Gala is one of the most prestigious events in the Capital Region, attracting more than 350 individuals from our business, social and philanthropic community. Corporate Sponsors enjoy a wide range of benefits, from participation in the gala evening ceremonies, to name recognition on the invitation, program book, and AIHA’s Newsletter.

The Gala provides the financial foundation for the Albany Institute, an organization that has served the Capital Region community since it was founded in 1791. The Institute is one of the oldest museums in the country, and remains committed to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley.

$200.00