RAM ADVOCATES FOR MINORITY/WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (M/WBE) AND ARTISTS: ALL THE WAY TO ALBANY
Heading to Albany to Advocate for M/WBE, this all started with the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce during Covid and on May 9th over a year later I am certified “WBE” (Women Business Enterprise) in support with other Advocates such as Norman Jones of Namron Inc. and Nichelle “TruStoner”, the former who has found opportunities through the M/WBE network, the later looking to do as am I….it’s been a long road…in more ways then 1.
Real Art Muse arrives in Albany as a Business and ArtsAdvocate, at the State Capital Building where the #ILOVENY sculpture proudly sits.
On May 9, very early in the morning the Real Art Muse headed on the School Construction Authority bus from LIC to Albany to participate in the 30th M/WBE Advocacy Day. M/WBE stands for Minority/ Woman Business Enterprise. Glanzrock Curatorial Services certified as a WBE as part of the M/WBE program during Covid as it seemed like a good opportunity and GCS was specifically interested in the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn which was announced by Mayor DeBlasio, a $141 million design/ build awarded in 2022 to Lendlease, McKissack&McKissack and Studio Gang. Since out mission here is to Muse on Art and RealEstate and interviewing on the podcast Glanzrock TrailBlazing Women in Arts and RE and Politics, Shirley Chisolm semed like a perfect project to pursue. As a champion for committed, powerful women and have written and interviewed several on my Podcast launched in 2022.
Alfred E. Smith BuildingNew York State Capitol Building
The historic capitol of New York State, walked by many sculptures on our way into the Legislative Office building opened Nov 15th, 1971 by Govenor Nelson A. Rockefeller, architects James & Meadows. The Hall of New York has a list of all the Art Lenders, impressed how thoughtfully curated each painting is of an American landscape with historical references, such as the one here by artist by Anna Gleason (1860-70) painting the Finger Lakes region, which includes Letchworth, Middle and East Upper Falls, Genessee River Gorge, giving one insights into New York State, with a map under the painting explaining exactly where the paintings was painted and by whom. Gleason’s painting was of Letchworth State Park known as the Grand Canyon of the East which contains the highest waterfall in NY State.
“Hall of New York” where each painting has a description with a map underneath speaking of the area where it was painted in NY State and the subject…low tech but quite effective.The lenders list for the Hall of New York. Landscape paintings in the Hall of New York, in the NY State Capital described in this link.Letchworth, Middle and Upper Falls,Genesee River Gorge by Anna Gleason Oil on Canvas,1860-1870Description of the area and the story about the painting by Anna GleasonPainting by James Hope, ca.1867 of Western New York, Barkentine William H. Vanderbilt of Buffalo, The completion of the Erie Canal, connecting New York City to Lake Erie played an important role in expanding Great Lakes trade and helping upstate cities grow in the 19th century.Sheena Wright, First Deputy Mayor or as her team address her #FDM, spoke to us about the importance of working together.Cheryl McKissack Daniel, CEO of McKissack & McKissack, 5th generation in construction, one of the lead design-build contractors for Shirley Chisolm Recreation Center breaking ground June 2023, on the Million Dollar stairs in the Legislative building in Albany.M/WBE member Jeptha Stuart of TruFund here on the Million Dollars stairs at the Legislative Building as we advocate for more opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Enterprises!After Magalie “Maggie” Austin spoke about the importance of the DDC getting the money (such as other agencies like SCA) to fund more important M/WBE projects – Hoping they will make ART a part of their funding so you can find and track these opportunities and that is why I also attended.For the press conference we all were asked to participate and surrounded the speakers on the top of the Million Dollar stairs which has artists reliefs including 6 women, added recently and Not enough if you ask me! There are 77 famous faces carved in the Million Dollar Staircase of the NYS Capitol and 6 of them are women: Mollie Pitcher, Elmina Spencer, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Francis Willard, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.In the Assembly Hall with AssemblyWoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn passing Article15AResolutions posted to the Members of the Assembly on the digital wall memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul proclaiming May 9th as M/WBE Advocacy Day in New York State!
Video of AssemblyMember the Honorable Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn proclaiming May 9th M/WBE Advocacy Day and the Passing of Article 15A which makes this program official and ongoing as the leadership and stakeholders continue to grow their opportunities!Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn of District 42 (left), and Senator James Sanders, Jr. (far right)Assemblymember Chantel Jackson of District 79Assemblywomen Nikki Lucas, Committees on Aging, Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry (Energy, Health, Housing & Labor), Member of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, and Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. Triangles and Arches by Alexander Calder Date: 1965 Medium: painted steel The world-renowned artwork for the Empire State Plaza, one of New York’s “greatest art treasures, a remarkable example of American Modern Art,” is described in this link.77 total artists are represented, including the following 8 white women: Lee Bontecou, Mary Callery, Chryssa, Helen Frankenthaler, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, Louise Nevelson, and Beverly Pepper. The Snake Is Out, 1/3 by Tony Smith Date: 1969 Medium: painted mild steelThe Egg, designed by Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz, opened in 1978.I Love NY by Milton Glaser Date: 2010-2020 Read more here.Cutout Metal Silhouettes, the sculpture is at the top of the stairs subtly set off by the white and grey marble of the Legislative Office Building. Albany, NY. Unfortunately not identifiable. Asa curator it frustrates me when artist do not get credit or are recognized for their work.
Tour the art collection! You can follow in the steps RAM did and tour the Plaza Art Collection. Contact the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 to arrange a weekday tour (Monday-Friday) which meet at the Corning Tower Security Desk on the Concourse Level. Art historians have called the collection “the greatest collection of modern American art in any single public site that is not a museum.” The Collection was formed under the direction of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller during construction of the Empire State Plaza (1966–1978). The tour focus is on the creation of this historic collection, as well as highlights of the ninety-two works of art on permanent display throughout the Plaza. Weather permitting, tours will also look at the sculptures located outdoors on the Plaza. The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection is a public collection owned by the people of New York State and cared for by the New York State Office of General Services.
Nelson A. Rockefeller began this unrivaled collection of outdoor sculpture in 1961 with the acquisition of the first piece in 1966. Nelson’s mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, founded the Museum of Modern Art along with two other remarkable Women, Lillie Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan – The Mother’s of MOMA birthed in1929. Nelson Rockefeller was one of the institution’s staunchest supporters, leading trustees and donors. According to Glenn Lowry (former director of MOMA) “Governor Rockefeller quipped that everything he had ever learned about politics he learned at the Museum of Modern Art.”
The Collection Nelson Rockefeller assembled described in the above video features famous predominantly male artists who practiced in New York State between1960-1970. A modern art time capsule designed in conjunction with the buildings of the architect Wallace K. Harrison and designed to highlight a more progressive and forward thinking design for the State of New York. Impressive that sculptures are present throughout, however exclusively male mostly large metal bold abstract sculptures.If you go to Albany to visit the Capitol building, #ramrec RAM also recommends visiting the New York State Museum to see the Women who Lead on view in the New York Metropolis Hall, a relatively new exhibit featuring objects and artworks that highlight the contributions of women. Exhibition includes State paleontologist Winifred Goldring’s tools, artwork from contemporary Oneida Nation artists #KarenAnnHoffman and #DawnDarkMountain. And, the newly acquisitioned Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument 1/3-scale model. For more about the sculptor #MariannBergmann, tune in to the RAM podcast and subscribe to the Museletter and enjoy the RAM blog
Donation Ceremony of the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument
