$72,000 Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award to Capital Walls Mural Project Adds Two New Murals on Columbia Street

October 27, 2020

Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is strengthening Albany’s Clinton Square neighborhood. Two new murals were unveiled in downtown Albany this morning — enhancing the gateway to the Capital City’s downtown. They’re located at Redburn Development Partners’ 39 and 45 Columbia Street properties where work is underway as part of its $80 million downtown investment. In total these murals by Boogierez and Jade Warrick (TrashKid) encompass more than 3,300 sq. ft. and are the newest murals of the Capital Walls initiative.
 
The murals were funded as part of the City of Albany’s $10 million third-round DRI award. Through the DRI award, a $72,000 award to the Capital Walls mural project will add four murals in total to the Clinton Square neighborhood. The additional two murals will begin in 2021.
 
The mural at 39 Columbia Street is titled “Escape to Nature: Where Peace Awaits” and was created by Jade Warrick, a Capital Region-based visual designer who has founded and co-led community art programs including Amplified Voices, a collaborative public art program amplifying the voices of local artists of color while also providing youth mentoring opportunities.  
 

The mural at 45 Columbia Street is titled “Suwubona” and was created by BoogieREZ, a Poughkeepsie- and Brooklyn-based artistic duo comprised of Riiisa Boogie and Rezones. Their work includes murals, photography, illustration, and woodworking. Suwubona means “I see you, you are important to me, and I value you” in Zulu.  

The Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Downtown Albany Business Improvement District collaborated in development, management, and execution of the Capital Walls mural project. The $72,000 DRI award was administered by the New York State Office of Homes And Community Renewal.

Announced as a third round recipient, Albany’s DRI award leverages $100 million in additional public and private development including the Capital Walls mural project, Capitalize Albany’s Clinton Market Collective, Skyway Gateway, and Ida Yarbrough home ownership.