Last weekend was a big one for Albany art, starting with Albany First Friday, June 5th: we began at the Albany Art Room to see Elizabeth Dubben’s show, then around the corner to Joe Putrock’s show at the Lark Street BID and thence to Upstate Artists Guild, for their People’s Choice 2009 exhibit. I haven’t heard yet who won (if you know, please let me know) but my favorite work was Nina Stanley’s oil on canvas:

Nina Stanley: Where's My Golden Ball

Continuing along Lark Street, we peeked into National Upholstery Gallery and marveled at Wren Panzella’s glass transfers:

Wren Panzella: Drums

We stopped into DeJohn’s for a quick beverage; things have obviously changed since the old 288 Lark days – the music we heard as we walked in was the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo.” Yikes.

Heading on downtown, we stopped by Albany Center Galleries for their “Works On Paper” show. I especially liked Yvonne Welch’s bold and vibrant works:

Yvonne Welch: Whisper

Gabe Brown: Untitled

Finally we ended the night in swinging style at the Contompasis Gallery at 40 Broadway, which was jam-packed full of art (salon-style) and people (interesting-people-style):

Peter Contompasis shows off his starburst sculpture

Ah, but we hadn’t had enough yet, so back we went the next afternoon for Art on Lark and ping-ponged back and forth between the rockers and the divas. I liked this painting by Valerie Wolf:

Valerie Wolf: Sakura

As well as this one by Kevin McKrell, as fine a painter as he is a musician:

Chip Fasciana had his own sidewalk gallery:

Then we skeedaddled up to the Massry for the opening of the Karene Faul Alumni Exhibit. Amy Tarasek had two sculptures on the floor that I was sure were going to be trampled before the reception’s end.

Amy Tarasek: A Version of Home

Marie Triller showed four photos from her ongoing series “Remembrance” for which she returns to Ground Zero each year to document the 9.11 memorial service and its attendees.

Marie Triller: Man In Mourning Dress

Whew! You can call it Smallbany if you want, but personally, I’m rather proud of how our area is representin’. Get out there and take a look for yourself.