K-8 art displayed in shadow of pieces that inspired students' creations

We know our students are creative and talented and now the Capital Region will too! 

More than 1,600 artworks, 92 from City School District of Albany K-8 students, are available for viewing as part of the 17th Annual Empire State Plaza Student Art Exhibition located in the South Concourse now through March 22.

There will be an opening reception honoring participating students at 5:30 p.m. on March 12 and district middle school students are acting as ambassadors and assisting with the event. This year’s keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Zunon, an Albany-based, award-winning children’s book illustrator and author who is known for her books, murals, artist talks, podcasts, sculptures and art exhibitions.

Through special tours and educational resources, the show introduces the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Plaza Art Collection into the curriculum of regional elementary and middle schools, where students are then invited to create their own works of art by interpreting the collection.

"In creating their own pieces for this extraordinary exhibition, Albany students have learned about and connected with historically important art from our own community that encourages reflection and creativity through art interpretation," said Kate Wright, the City School District of Albany Director of Fine Arts.

The student exhibit is the result of a collaboration among the NYS Office of General Services, the Capital Area Art Supervisors, and the New York State Art Teachers Association.