October 15, 1999
Immediate Release
Doug Myers
518-242-2226

AIRPORT OPENS NEW "DEPARTURE" MUSEUM SHOP

Albany, NY -- (October 15, 1999) - - "Departure," The Shop of Capital Region Museums, will open Tuesday, October 19th at 6pm at the Albany International Airport. Departure features the creations of artists and crafters from more than 30 museums throughout the region.

"Departure is the result of our vision to create a unique shop where our passengers and visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy gifts that truly represent the artistic and cultural wealth and heritage of the Capital Region said Rev. Michael A. Farano, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority. We believe "Departure" will offer travelers a unique experience while introducing the public to the untold treasures that are displayed as local museums."

Departure will feature handcrafted gifts and historic materials from 32 area museums. The shop is located on the second level of the terminal at the entrance to the connecting bridge to the airport's parking garage. Departure will be open daily from 9am to 9pm.

"I am continually surprised and impressed by the wide variety of high quality Capital Region Museums," said Ned Pratt, Director of the Shaker Heritage Society. "Departure will help call attention to these many cultural institutions and highlight their quality."

Departure merchandise will offer over 3200 items including Shaker furniture and boxes, Adirondack pack baskets, historic prints, books, carvings and clothing. Departure purchases can be delivered overnight by Airborne Express, FedEx or UPS. Departure will accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners and Discover credit cards.

"The Albany International Airport is the central aviation hub for an exciting and culturally dynamic part of America and travelers will have an opportunity to take with them high quality gifts from the best of our museums" said Steve Miller, Executive Director of the Bennington Museum. "We are delighted to be represented at Departure."

Departure was more than a year in planning and development. Under the leadership of Sharon Bates, Director of the airport's Art & Culture Program, a Museum Committee worked to fashion the design of the shop. Committee members include Ned Pratt, Director of the Shaker Heritage Museum; Frank Gilmore of Stracher-Roth-Gilmore Architects; Susan Brome of the Historical Society of Saratoga Springs; and Bart Roselli, Director of the Schenectady Museum Association.

"We consider ourselves connected to the Capital Region and are always excited about having more visibility with its residents and visitors," said Thomas Elliot, Executive Director of the Iroquois Indian Museum of Howes Cave. "Our shop sells hand made arts and crafts that we purchase directly from the many Iroquois artists we know. Departure will enable us to further our museum's mission."

"Departure will make available the many marvelous books, reproductions and postcards which the Albany Institute has produced and which reflect our region's distinct character. Now visitors from all over the world will learn about the cultural richness of our part of the state," said Christine Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art.

Departure's architecture features a clean, modern design in maple with black accents. The shop will be managed by Kevin W. Kowski. Departure can be reached by phone at 518 242-2540 or by fax at 518 242-2544. E-mail can be sent to: departure@albanyairport.com

DEPARTURE
A Shop of Capital Region Museums
Albany International Airport

• Albany Institute of History & Art-Albany
• Adirondack Museum-Blue Mt. Lake
• Albany Visitors Center-Albany
• Bennington Museum-Bennington, Vt.
• Canajoharie Library & Art Gallery-Canajoharie
• Chapman Historical Museum-Glens Falls
• Columbia County Historical Society-Kinderhook
• Farmers Museum-Cooperstown
• Fenimore Art Museum-Cooperstown
• Fort Johnson-Fort Johnson
• Fort Ticonderoga-Ticonderoga
• George Landis Arboretum-Esperance
• Hamilton Hill Art Center-Schenectady
• Historic Cherry Hill-Albany
• Historical Society of Saratoga Springs-Saratoga Springs
• Hudson River Maritime Museum-Kingston
• Hyde Collection-Glens Falls
• IACA World Awareness Children's Museum-Glens Falls
• Irish American Heritage Museum-Albany
• Iroquois Indian Museum-Howes Cave
• Martin VanBuren National Historic Site Kinderhook
• National Museum of Dance-Saratoga Springs
• National Museum of Racing-Saratoga Springs
• New York State Museum-Albany
• Olana State Historic Site-Hudson
• Rensselaer County Historic Society-Troy
• Saratoga National Historic Park-Stillwater
• Saratoga Art Center-Saratoga Springs
• Saratoga Preservation Society-Saratoga Springs
• Schenectady Museum-Schenectady
• Shaker heritage Society-Albany
• Shaker Museum & Library-Old Chatham
• Slate Valley Museum-Granville

-30-