Artist Dahl Taylor captures the beauty and charted growth of New York’s Capital City
The Albany Capital Center, located just steps from the New York State Capitol, opened for business on March 1, 2017 with more than 60 events booked through the end of 2017 and another 28 events planned through 2021. With 100,000 visitors projected to visit the Capital Region for an ACC event or meeting, guests of the new convention center will be greeted with murals created to inspire and educate them on Albany’s historic past, as well as that of the surrounding area.
Inside the main lobby of the ACC, Albany-based artist, Dahl Taylor, has captured the energy and beauty of the region with five pieces, which together, focus on industry, culture and arts, history, natural beauty and transportation. He has also created two additional panels: an impressive overview of Albany that welcomes visitors as they enter the convention center and the mural found at the top of the escalator which charts the growth of Albany from a small riverside settlement to a booming state capital.
“Dahl Taylor has given us a wonderful gift,” said Doug McClaine, general manager, Albany Capital Center. “We truly believe we’ve created one of the most impressive venues in upstate New York and this mural really adds to the overall ambience once you step through our doors, creating a great impression from the start.”
To further enhance visitors’ experience, the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau has worked with the ACC and Spiral Design, a full-service website design company in Albany, to create an interactive website to accompany the murals.
“We hope to inspire visitors to explore all this region has to offer; natural beauty, a vibrant arts scene, and a history that spans four centuries,” said Michele Vennard, president and CEO, Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The website provides additional information for each of the images contained in the murals, and when hovered over or touched, text boxes will appear that provide background information. The text also directs visitors to local sites where they can experience the region.
Check out interviews with artist Dahl Taylor and hear what message he hopes the murals convey by visiting the ACC’s YouTube page. To find out more about the murals, visit: www.albanycapitalcenter.com/mural.
The Albany Capital Center is a modern, premier event and meeting destination in New York’s culturally rich Capital Region. Connected to the Times Union Center, Empire State Plaza and Renaissance Albany Hotel via enclosed walkways, the convention center will host a diverse array of trade shows, consumer and social events, and meetings for up to 5,000 guests. It will boast 22,500 square-feet of ballroom/exhibit space, 6 meeting rooms with 9,200 square-feet of space, and 13,500 square-feet of pre-function space, state-of-the-art technology, and impeccable dining options. The ACC is conveniently located in downtown Albany and within walking distance to the New York State Capitol, business and warehouse districts, performing arts venues, museums, shops, restaurants and nightlife.