The Foundry

It was pouring as I made my way down the hill to Remsen St., but the band struck up some old Zeppelin, just for my entrance!  The Foundry shindig had shut down Remsen on one end, which was pretty impressive.  The band was good, The Foundry, itself was gorgeous, as both an art and a living space.  Arched windows overlook the City of Cohoes, it was immaculate and modern and incredibly inspiring in a way that made me want to go back up the hill and give everything I own away.
When Jesse and Alana are ready, The Foundry for Art, Design + Culture will be a force to be reckoned with!  I can't wait and wish them both the best of luck!

A Visit to Cohoes, New York

"O" is for "Ophelia"

Took a long walk around Cohoes with MAP on Thursday to scope out studio space. Found the Foundry, which is intriguing, exclusive, etc., and one or two other spaces to call for a look. There are exactly five businesses on Remsen St.: a knitting store; a wine shop; a Russian supermarket; Satchel - a purse/gift shop; and the Bread & Jam coffee shop. We met Sal at Bread & Jam and declared his coffee house amazing. He was wonderful and gave us instructions to one of the studio buildings we were scoping.
Cohoes itself has fallen apart in the most sad, beautiful way. It is a veritable slum/ghost town as people struggle economically in the houses and apartments built by their great-grandparents – structures made of ornately carved wood followed by bricks starting from the 1860’s forward. Then like everywhere else, there were a couple of wars, immigrants and a boom. And then there was a Depression. And then there was another war.
And then, recently, nearly everything disappeared. Word on the lips of local artists is that it’s ripe for a low-rent, artsy take-over. Let the transformation begin!