Repeats at Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany

Family Free Day

Enjoy free admission and free activities for visitors of all ages this Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day! Bring the whole family to enjoy hands-on artmaking, guided gallery tours, live music, and interactive activities themed around our current exhibitions: Inspired Landscapes: Women of the Hudson River School and Mexico Masks / Rituals: Photographs by Phyllis Galembo . Don't forget to visit our featured Community Partners: New York Folklore, the Mesoamerican Institute, and Herencia Cultural Mexicana! Docent Tours 10AM and 2PM | Meet at the Admission Desk (Floor 1) Live Music Performance with Marimba El Quetzal and Alejandra 11-11:30AM | Atrium (Floor 1) Live Dance Performance with Luz and Herencia Cultural 11AM Screening of Language in Landscape: The Art of Frederic Church , WMHT Public Media's documentary celebrating the 200th birthday of the artist 2PM | Key Cultural Center (Floor 3) Live Music Performance by Mateo y Maria Son Jarocho 3-4PM | Atrium (Floor 1) Pinatas and Papel Picado with Isabel Velsco 10AM-2PM | Key Cultural Center (Floor 3) Cartonería is a traditional Mexican folk craft and technique involving the creation of three-dimensional sculptures using papier-mâche. Typically it involves layers of paper and paste, sometimes reinforced with wire or cardboard for structure. This craft is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and is especially prominent during festivals. These papier-mâché figures are central to altars (ofrendas) and decorations, representing remembrance, celebration, and the blending of life and death in Mexican culture. Isabel Velasco is a third generation Cartoneria artist, living in Poughkeepsie since the year 2002. Isabel is an active member in the large Mexican and Oaxacan community of Poughkeepsie. She has given cartoneria, catrina, pinata, papel picado and mask making workshops in schools, libraries and community centers. Her Catrinas and Calaveras are part of the yearly Day of the Dead celebrations of the Poughkeepsie Mexican community. Scavenger Hunt 11AM-4PM | Galleries (Floor 2) Can you find all the hidden objects and patterns throughout Inspired Landscapes: Women of the Hudson River School ? Take on this self-guided scavenger hunt and claim your prize in the sculpture atrium! Button Making 11AM-4PM | Galleries (Floor 2) Create your own buttons inspired by Inspired Landscapes: Women of the Hudson River School . Huipil Making with Susana Martinez 11:30AM-12:30PM | Classroom (Floor 1) The huipil is the most common traditional garment worn by indigenous women from central Mexico to Central America. It is a loose-fitting tunic, generally made from three rectangular pieces or lienzos which are then joined with stitching, ribbons, or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and, if the sides are sewn, openings for the arms. Traditional huipils, especially ceremonial ones, are usually made with fabric woven on a backstrap loom and are decorated with designs woven into the fabric, embroidery, lace, and more. Backstrap looms are present in several pre Hispanic cultures and often considered as sacred gifts bestowed by gods. In the Triqui belief system there are deities and patrons of weavers. Susana Martinez is a Triqui Huipil weaver living in Albany with her family since 2019. She was born in the Mixteca Region of Oaxaca, Mexico and is a Triqui speaker. The Triqui are an indigenous people of the western mountainous region of the state of Oaxaca. Susana began to weave at the age of 10. She learned from her mother, grandmother and other Triqui women in the community. Weaving and huipil making is a social activity as women gather and weave together in groups of family and friends. Susana has been weaving her whole life and has made many huipiles for her family and other community members both in Oaxaca and now in the Capital Region. Susana actively participates in the Triqui community social celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. She weaves several times a week at her home in Albany using the traditional pre-Hispanic Telar de Cintura or backstrap loom. Masks and Costume Making with Renee 2PM-3PM | Classroom (Floor 1) Visit the tables of our community partners throughout the museum and learn more about their work: New York Folklore, the Mesoamerican Institute, and Herencia Cultural Mexicana. Herencia Cultural Mexicana An active group of about 40 individuals in the Capital Region of New York dedicated to learning about, preserving, and showcasing Mexican heritage through traditional folkloric dance across New York State. Mission: Educate the next generation of the Mexican immigrant community about their cultural roots, encouraging pride and teamwork through dance and community activities. Share the rich, diverse cultural expressions of Mexico and its indigenous groups with the broader Upstate New York community to foster intercultural understanding. Triquis Sin Fronteras Prominent community and cultural advocacy group formed around 2003 in the Capital District (including Albany and Schenectady) to support the indigenous Triqui population from Oaxaca, Mexico. Focus Areas: Cultural promotion, language preservation, and immigrant rights. Context: The Capital Region is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing Triqui populations outside of Mexico, currently numbering well over 1,000 people. Pulso de Barro A Kingston-based music collective whose name translates to "pulse of life." Led by María Puente Flores and Mateo Cano, the group hosts ceremony-celebrations rooted in Son Jarocho. Tradition: Son Jarocho is a 400-year-old musical tradition from the Gulf Coast of Veracruz blending African Yoruba rhythms, Andalusian melody, and indigenous voices. Instruments & Focus: Uses jarana, requinto, leona, quijada, tarima, maracas, and marimba to create fandangos designed as shared spaces for community connection and collective liberation. Luz Ruiz - Oaxacan Traditional Dances Master folk dancer originally from Miahuatlán, Oaxaca; relocated to the U.S. in the late 1990s and settled in Albany in 2012. Began dancing at age 6 in community gatherings and the annual Guelaguetza festival. Later joined the Casa de la Cultura in Oaxaca to perform with regional dance ensembles. Founded a local Oaxacan folk dance group of adults and children in 2012, serving as its sole instructor. The group performs across the region, including at the annual Guelaguetza in Poughkeepsie. Specializes in Oaxacan dances such as Danza de la Pluma (Feather Dance), Flor de Piña (Pineapple Flower), Jarabe del Valle, Chilenas, and Sones. Master Susana Martinez - Oaxacan Triqui Huipil Triqui speaker born in the Mixteca Region of Oaxaca; moved to Albany in 2019, joining family members who have lived in the Capital Region for four decades. Master weaver who learned to create traditional huipiles at age 10 from her mother, grandmother, and community members. Weaves several times a week using the traditional pre-Hispanic Telar de Cintura (backstrap loom). Crafting a single garment takes several months. Active participant in local Triqui social and cultural celebrations, continuing the tradition of weaving as a shared social activity among women. Isabel Velasco - Mexican Cartonería Third-generation cartonería artist originally from El Sauzal, Veracruz (born to Oaxacan parents). Has lived in Poughkeepsie since 2002. Learned the craft from her mother and grandmother, who originally made piñatas and art for social events and during tough sugarcane harvest seasons. Teaches workshops on cartonería, catrinas, piñatas, masks, and papel picado in local schools, libraries, and community centers. Her creations are central to Poughkeepsie’s annual Day of the Dead celebrations. About the Huipil & Backstrap Loom Garment Structure: A loose-fitting tunic made from up to three rectangular woven panels (lienzos) joined with stitching or ribbons, featuring openings for the head and arms. Length varies from short blouses to floor-length gowns. Cultural Significance: Worn by indigenous women across central Mexico and Central America. Styles, fabrics, and decorative elements indicate the wearer's specific ethnicity, community, and social status. Craftsmanship: Ceremonial versions are woven on pre-Hispanic backstrap looms (Telar de Cintura) and decorated with integrated woven designs, embroidery, lace, and ribbons. In Triqui belief, weaving looms and techniques are considered sacred gifts tied to specific deities. About Mexican Cartonería Technique: Traditional Mexican folk art using papier-mâché (layered paper, paste, and structural wire or cardboard) to create complex 3D sculptures. Deeply tied to community celebrations and Day of the Dead altars (ofrendas). Calacas: Lifelike or whimsical skeletons participating in daily activities. Calaveras: Vibrantly painted decorative skulls and masks. Catrinas: Elegant female skeletal figures dressed in 19th-century high-fashion attire. Alebrijes: Fantastical, brightly colored imaginary creatures. Miniatures & Specialty Figures: Padrecitos de garbanzo (chickpea-headed monks), entierritos (figures in coffins), and skeletal marionettes. Traditional Objects: Piñatas, festive masks, dolls, and mojigangas (large puppets). Support for Family Free Day is provided by M&T Bank.