Creativity, straight up or on the rocks
At Arts Center’s pop-up bar, patrons can try their hand at art projects
The Arts Center of the Capital Region is launching Art’s Bar, a place for drinks in a gallery setting that will be open on the first Thursday of the month and for special events including the Victorian Stroll on Sunday.
“We were looking for ways to increase our revenue without increasing tuition or fees, while at the same time meeting new audiences and sharing the arts in a playful environment,” said ACCR CEO Elizabeth Reiss in a statement.
Art’s Bar will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday for the Victorian Stroll and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month; its first four Thursday dates will be Dec. 6, Jan. 3, Feb. 7 and March 7.
The pop-up bar project was developed under the direction of Corey Aldrich of 2440 Design Studio. The bar itself was built in the Arts Center’s studios by Aldrich and master woodworker/arts Center
instructor Bob Kehn from donated, found and new materials, including architectural relics sourced from Silver Fox Salvage in Albany and black walnut from a defunct mill in Glens Falls. Designed to work without running water and able to be set up and disassembled in an Arts Center gallery space in less than an hour, the bar can be wheeled away and stored until its next use.
The beverage program was designed by industry consultant and longtime regional bartender Scott Colehamer, who will also tend bar. Options include five wines, two beers and cocktails based on vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum and gin.
In addition to beverages, guests will have the opportunity to work on five-minute art projects. Artists will wheel in an art cart with projects such as matchbook collage, wire sculptures and dance lessons. Arts Center officials envision a variety of projects rotating on an informal basis to provide opportunity for artistic discovery and creation.
“Art comes in many
“Art comes in many forms, and making art does, too. Art’s Bar lets you enjoy art’s more whimsical ways.” — ACCR CEO Elizabeth Reiss
forms, and making art does, too. Art’s Bar lets you enjoy art’s more whimsical ways,” said Reiss.
Art’s Bar is a follow-up to Crafty Hour, a series of programs started two years ago that combine pottery, jewelry, cooking, woodworking and more, paired with thematic beverages. Art’s Bar and Crafty Hour supplement the Arts Center’s regular program offerings of more than 500 classes per year for ages 2 and older. The address is 265 River St.