Each year, Historic Albany Foundation hosts an incredible fundraising event in the Capital Region called BUILT. This weekend, they once again celebrate Albany’s rich past and historical cultural significance.
The event will take place at the Emmanuel Baptist Church at 275 State Street. It will feature over 200 pieces of art representing the fantastic architecture of the Capital Region. The cocktail party will boast a wonderful array of food, wine, beer, and mocktails in addition to live music all surrounded by the artwork.
Lark Street mainstay Elissa Halloran is being celebrated by the Historic Albany Foundation at its honorary chair for their event this Saturday. For 20 years, Elissa has been a creative force on Lark Street, bringing art, beauty, and inspiration to Albany.
As both an artist and local business owner, she is an extraordinary steward of our creative community, not only through the beautiful work she creates but also through the incredible art and artists she showcases in her shop. Halloran has attended the event for many years, showcasing her art and jewelry in auctions and the gift shop.
“It feels great to be amongst so many talented artists,” she says. “I love that the Historic Albany Foundation features the work of young, budding artists as well as the varied work of more seasoned local artists.”
Halloran has lived in Center Square since 1990. She fell in love with Lark Street as a teen, went to UA, and ended up finding her livelihood in 2001 when she opened her store, Elissa Halloran Designs. While looking for fixtures for the store, she discovered the Parts Warehouse, run by HAF. She found a beautiful sink to house handmade soaps, which HAF employees kindly delivered.
The Parts Warehouse is a treasure trove for homeowners, contractors, and artists. Finding the right piece at the warehouse to enhance your home, create artwork, or upcycle helps HAF to fulfill its mission while preserving little pieces of Albany's history.
In 2007, Halloran was looking to purchase a building to give the store a permanent home. She noticed a plaque on the building indicating it had been built in 1848 and marked historic by HAF. “It is by no means a grand home like many of the other historic buildings in the area, but I love it and have made it my and my store's home for almost 20 years now,” she says.
Halloran has now been a business owner for 25 years and a resident for 36 years in Center Square. During her tenure, she has served on the board of the Lark Street BID three times. She’s also familiar with those I have worked for, or who have served on the board of HAF.
“I recognize the importance of these organizations, along with many others, who strive to maintain and preserve the beauty and history of this area for future generations to enjoy,” she says.
The Historic Albany Foundation has embraced the arts by showcasing the broad work of so many local artists at BUILT over the past 20+ years.
“It is a seamless and symbiotic relationship. This event brings artists and the public together to celebrate the magnificence of this area and helps to create discussions about the past, present, and future of our city,” says Halloran.
BUILT activities include something for everyone. There will be the annual art exhibit and auction, a cocktail reception that will be held on the evening of Saturday, November 8, as well as the Holiday Shop and free public gallery hours.
BUILT will be hosted at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany’s historic Center Square neighborhood for the second year in a row. A pre-party for the Honorary Committee and sponsors will be held next door to the church at the David Hinchen Gallery, located at 261 State Street. This building sat vacant for over ten years until Hinchen restored it as a multi-family dwelling. Highlighting these two buildings as part of the weekend-long event keeps with the theme of what makes Historic Albany so important to celebrate.
The exhibition and auction highlight the very best art representing the architecture of the Capital Region by some of the most talented local artists— all art sales equally benefit the mission of Historic Albany Foundation and the artists themselves.
Please help Historic Albany Foundation fulfill its mission to preserve and protect the architecture in Albany. For more information, please visit historic-albany.org/built.