May 27, 1999
Immediate Release
Doug Myers
518-242-2222

"THEY'RE OFF" AT ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Albany, NY -- (May 27, 1999) - - Albany County Airport Authority Chairman Reverend Michael A. Farano today announced that the Albany International Airport Gallery will feature "Racing Through the Airport," a tribute to the tradition of horse racing. The exhibit will be featured from May 29 to September 26 and will include a selection of works from the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. The exhibit was organized by Sharon Bates, Airport Director of Exhibitions and Programs.

"This exhibit provides an artist's view of the region's deep history in horse racing and will interest the thousands of individuals who pass through the Albany International Airport each summer to become part of the world of horse racing in Saratoga Springs," said Reverend Michael A. Farano, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority.

The Albany International Airport will host a special reception to introduce the exhibit on Saturday, June 12, 1999 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm. The reception will be held in the airport's third floor gallery.

The exhibit will feature Eleanor Iselin Wade, Artist and Horsewoman which includes several equine sculptures in bronze. Mrs. Wade is still active as an artist, nearly 50 years after she left Bedford, New York for the life of a rancher in the Rocky Mountains. The show, in the Airport's third floor gallery will include 18 of her works ranging from "Scipio" (1927) to her most recent commission, "Lonesome Glory" (1997).

"Racing Through The Airport" will also include an exhibition of more than 40 color prints titled Memories of Kathryn: Racing Photographs of Kathryn Dudek. A photojournalist for more than 20 years, the late Kathryn Dudek of Long Island's Floral Park is best remembered as one of the most significant female action photographers in the history of thoroughbred racing. This exhibit will be located on the terminal's first floor, Concourse A.

A selection of photographs by J.C. Hemment from the exhibition Racing a Century Ago will include intriguing views of the 1890's and early 1900's racing. Exhibit curators have noted that one of their favorite photos is that of jockey C. Phillips washing up with his cat perched on his head (Coney Island, 1904).

The Albany International Airport is committed to showcasing the artistic heritage of the region through its ongoing Art and Culture Program. Exhibitions that feature the works of contemporary artists, area cultural institutions and businesses are presented throughout the terminal on a rotating basis. Potential exhibitions are reviewed and selected by the Airport Exhibition Committee and the Director of Exhibitions.

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