Educational Events

2:00pm–3:00pm Learn more about the artist and subjects featured in Albany Institute of History & Art's newest exhibition: Americans Who Tell the Truth. Truth Tellers is an award-winning documentary film about artist and activist Robert Shetterly, who has painted over 275 portraits of Americans throughout history and the present. From the fight to remove symbols of hate to sustainability and climate activism, and from whistleblowing to the rights of indigenous people, Shetterly uses his art to explore these activists’ response to some of the most pressing issues of our time. From contemporary activist for racial justice Rev. Lennox Yearwood, to climate activist Kelsey Juliana, Shetterly puts them in the context of significant American civil rights leaders John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer and Bayard Rustin. Truth Tellers is both a story of Shetterly’s art and activism and a lesson of courageous citizenship and democratic ideals. The screening is free with museum admission. Run time: 57 minutes 54 seconds  

10:00am–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on the second Saturday of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.

10:00am–5:00pm Albany Institute of History & Art is open this Presidents' Day and visitors of all ages are invited to Family Free Day! Enjoy free gallery admission to visit our current exhibitions: Americans Who Tell the Truth, Portrait Pairings, featuring several U.S. presidents, and Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor, in addition to selections from the museum's permanent collection, including Ancient Egypt and the Hudson River School. Support for Family Free Day is generously provided by M&T Bank.

2:00pm–3:00pm Join Curator Diane Shewchuk for a special tour of Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor. Don't miss this opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes insights into the development of the exhibition. The tour is free with museum admission; please meet in the third floor galleries after checking in at the admissions desk. Salley Mavor is an award-winning fiber artist whose artwork creates make-believe miniature worlds full of characters, props, and scenery, all created by hand with stitching, fabric, beads, wire, and found objects. Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor showcases the exceptional detail and three-dimensional quality of her fabric relief illustrations and sculptural needlework. This exhibition includes a wide array of original picture book illustrations spanning Mavor’s career, including the entire series of artwork for her most recent book, MY BED: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep around the World. Among the eighty works in the exhibition are recent pieces that explore cultural diversity, migration, fashion, the natural world, and a range of social narratives, from the everyday to topical subjects. Salley Mavor has spent four decades developing her signature style and working methods, carving out her own niche within the children’s book world and the fiber art community. Her work is applied in many ways, including children’s books, editorial illustration, and stop-motion animation. Enchanting Threads: The Art of Salley Mavor is on view through March 2, 2025.  

10:00am–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on the second Saturday of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.

10:00am–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on the second Saturday of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.

10:00am–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on the second Saturday of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.