10 blank nipper dog statues sit in a row

Artists Announced for 'Downtown is Pawsome' Exhibit

 

The artists who will transform sculptures into the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) 2017 outdoor public Placemaking exhibit, Downtown is Pawsome, have been announced. The public art project will feature 20 three-foot-tall sculptures based on Albany’s famous canine resident and local landmark Nipper the Dog, customized and placed on display at locations throughout Downtown from June 2017 through May 2018. A garden party launching the exhibit, and recognizing Hon. John McEneny as the 2017 Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award, will be held on June 16 in Tricentennial Park.



A call for artists issued last month resulted in an outpouring of enthusiasm; nearly 90 applications to creatively interpret the sculptures were received from schools, community groups, and artists ranging from talented toddlers to nationally recognized graphic designers. Due to the positive response, the number of sculptures was doubled from 10 to 20. The first “litter” of these painted pups will hit the streets in mid-June, with the second wave of arriving in early July. Learn more about the exhibit.

 

Artists were chosen by the Downtown is Pawsome curatorial committee: Georgette Steffens and Jason Bonafide of Downtown Albany BID, Tony Iadicicco and Anna Wettergreen of Albany Center Gallery, Greg Haymes and Sara Ayers of Nippertown, and graphic designer Lee Dixon.

The artists are:

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