Albany Barn announces first-ever virtual anti-gala
Albany Barn, a creative arts incubator and community arts center, has announced its upcoming first-ever virtual anti-gala to raise critically needed funds for the organization’s creative communities.
The event, rebranded as {dif} FUSION, will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 via webbased platform, Hopin, and will be emceed by Spectrum News reporter Tamani Wooley.
Features of the online event include music by DJ Trumastr and DJ Nate da Great, interactive workshops in collage and mixology, led by artist-in-residence and mommy-blogger Nicole DeSantis Robins and local organizer, activist and artist Jammella Anderson, a “Battle of the Brushes” live painting competition between artists Alex Waters and Christie Olson, as well as live artist talks and studio tours with artists-inresidence and members at both Albany Barn and Electric City Barn.
Tickets are available online and include login credentials for the event, as well as an optional “anti-gala in a box” package filled with gift cards from Druthers Brewing Company and Bard & Baker Board Game Café, supplies for interactive workshops and limited edition merchandise.
An online silent auction is available to the public now and runs through Saturday, Jan. 23. Proceeds of the event will directly support operations and programming at Albany Barn and Electric City Barn.
“In the midst of a global pandemic, we knew we would have to do FUSION differently, but the idea of not bringing together our artists and patrons to celebrate the creative energy that make Albany and Electric City Barns the unique, collaborative communities they are was never an option. We’re very proud of what we’ve put together, and look forward to welcoming guests to experience the event they love in a whole new way,” executive director Kristen Holler said in a press release.
Albany Barn is dedicated to developing the infrastructure and culture to support a thriving and equitable creative economy in the communities we serve. Albany Barn and Academy Lofts @ The Barn offers 22 affordable live/work apartments for emerging artists and more than 13,000 square feet of private and shared work studios, performance, and programming space in Albany’s Arbor Hill Neighborhood.
Electric City Barn is a 10,000-square-foot makers space in Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood featuring co-working and performance space as well as fully-equipped studios for screen printing, woodworking, fiber arts, and digital media production, all available on an incomebased membership model.
More information about Albany Barn can be found online at albanybarn.org.