Two public art murals unveiled in Downtown

Capital Walls murals by artists BoogieREZ and Jade Warrick

The latest two murals added to the Capital Walls public art portfolio were unveiled in downtown Albany, NY on October 27, 2020 as elected officials, arts organization leaders, and artists gathered to celebrate the works by artists BoogieREZ and Jade Warrick. 

Located at 39 and 45 Columbia Street, the murals encompass 3,300-square-feet total and were made possible through funding provided by Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Through the DRI, Albany was awarded $10 million with $72,000 of those funds going toward the creation of four Capital Walls murals, two of which will be completed in 2021.

The mural at 39 Columbia Street (below) is titled “Escape to Nature: Where Peace Awaits” and was created by Jade Warrick, a Capital Region-based visual designer who has founded and co-led community art programs including Amplified Voices, a collaborative public art program amplifying the voices of local artists of color while also providing youth mentoring opportunities.  

The mural at 45 Columbia Street (main image) is titled “Sawubona” and was created by BoogieREZ, a Poughkeepsie- and Brooklyn-based artistic duo comprised of Riiisa Boogie and Rezones. Their work includes murals, photography, illustration, and woodworking. Suwubona means "I see you, you are important to me, and I value you” in Zulu. 

The Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Downtown Albany Business Improvement District collaborated in development, management, and execution of the Capital Walls mural project. The $72,000 DRI award was administered by NYS Homes and Community Renewal. Announced as a third round recipient, Albany’s DRI award funds 12 projects and leverages $100 million in additional public and private development including the Capital Walls mural project, Skyway Gateway, Ida Yarbrough home ownership, and the Clinton Market Collective.  

Read the full press release here | Watch the press conference here