Art not just for museums and galleries

You don't have to head to a gallery, museum or even one of our schools to view our talented students' amazing art. It's now hanging for everyone to see in two Albany neighborhoods.

Murals created by district middle and high school students, as part of the Corner Canvas Program, are transforming vacant properties in the South End and Arbor Hill into places for creative expression.

According to the Corner Canvas website, "it's a new and innovative partnership that combines community development and locally-based art. Under the program, local students work with artist mentors to create murals that reimagine vacant buildings and spaces to create vibrant pieces of public art for their neighborhoods.

The installations - located at 325 South Pearl Street, 337 Clinton Avenue and 123 Henry Johnson Blvd. - are a collaboration between the City School District of Albany, Albany Center Gallery, Albany County Land Bank Corporation and 4th Family.

"I believe that this program will add to better our community and I'm glad to be a part of it," said Darielys Carrasquillo-Torres, one of the featured student-artists and William S. Hackett Middle School eighth-grader.

William S. Hackett Middle School students Destiny Villanueva-Figueroa and Vicente del Puerto and Albany High School students Edith DeRosa-Purcell, Natalie Penna and Briola Nugent were also student-artists who worked to create the collaborative project.

 The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves approximately 9,300 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.