I am a strong proponent of the idea that people come into our lives for a reason. When I first walked into the Upstate Artists Guild for an interview with Vice President and gallery manager, Rebecca Schoonmaker, it immediately became evident that I was about to become a part of a very special community.

Lark Street in Albany is decorated with many unique businesses that add to the creative culture of the city. The UAG has called this colorful and often crowded street home since 2005. Founded by a team of 11 artists, this not-for-profit organization holds monthly gallery exhibitions, workshops, and various special events.

I recently sat down with 3 core members of the UAG staff and discussed the importance of art in Albany, and how you can support the gallery as they prepare to leave Lark Street.

While Albany is known for its diverse and creative community, the initial success of the UAG on Lark Street came as a surprise to Schoonmaker.

“When we first started, we didn’t realize it was going to be as well received and awesome as it was”, Schoonmaker said.

It was when the gallery started selling artwork to interested customers that Schoonmaker and the rest of the team felt that they had started something remarkable.

Despite garnering loyal members who love and support their efforts, the UAG will be leaving Lark Street in the coming months due to an inability to pay rent. Rather than being discouraged by financial issues, Schoonmaker and the other board members of the UAG are remaining positive and are viewing the next few months as a chance to regroup. Instead of focusing solely on finding a new space, the team will dedicate their time to planning community events and encouraging people in the Albany area to support the organization. In addition to needing monetary support, Schoonmaker also expressed the importance of adding young artists with fresh ideas to the team.

It is imperative for a city like Albany to have a place like the UAG. According to Treasurer, Karen Choens, being involved with the gallery is “a great way to connect with other people” due to the wide variety of community members that regularly participate in events. Choens also went on to say that since the UAG is a not-for-profit, it is central to their mission that they “bring art and artistic opportunities to people from all backgrounds and ages.”

Since its inception, the gallery has become known as an incredibly inclusive environment, which is vital in order for artists of all ages to thrive. With The College of Saint Rose, the University at Albany, and several other colleges nearby, there are countless opportunities for students of all majors to support the gallery. While becoming a member is an option, you don’t need to be one in order to be involved with the gallery, and Schoonmaker makes it very clear that everyone is welcome at the UAG.

“We want to encourage all different kinds of artists. We don’t want to turn people away. That’s just not what we’re about”, she said.

Schoonmaker explained that while you may initially visit the gallery with the intention of seeing paintings, sculptures, or photography from local creators, "you could end up leaving with a much greater appreciation for different forms of art as well." Comedy shows, live music, and the annual Word Fest (featuring local poets and spoken word performers) are some other notable events that have taken place at the UAG. In fact, if you’d like to see the UAG in action, the gallery will be part of Albany’s annual Lark Fest which is taking place on September 24^th.

The staff members of the UAG are also interested in teaching art to community members. Open to any skill level, the UAG has held workshops that focus on specific disciplines such as storyboarding, painting, and cartooning. Christoph Speenburgh, President of the UAG, also recently started a class that encourages local veterans to express their creativity.

What sets the UAG apart from other organizations is the atmosphere that Schoonmaker and her team have created throughout the years. Even with the pressures of keeping a not-for-profit organization running, the members who have dedicated their lives to the gallery remain passionate.

The heart of the UAG can be summed up in a single quote that Schoonmaker said multiple times throughout our interview.

“I love the UAG,” she said.

And she does. It's something that each returning member can see, and I've seen it countless times during the last few months.

Although I became involved with the gallery quite recently, it quickly became clear to me that this group has done so many incredible things for the city of Albany. Creating a safe space where creative individuals can share their ideas and their work is a wonderful accomplishment, and it’s something that Albany desperately needs. There is no doubt that Lark Street will miss the UAG, but I’m confident that the gallery will find success in a new location.

As the gallery begins its search for a new home, there are still plenty of exciting ways to support the UAG in the coming months. Founding member, Tommy Watkins, will be returning from England for an exhibit on October 1^st, which Schoonmaker described as the gallery “coming full circle.” There will also be a show featuring local tattoo artists on October 7^th.

For regular updates on upcoming shows and events, you can "like" the Upstate Artists Guild on Facebook by clicking here. You can also visit their website here to read more about the history of the gallery.