Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Artist in Residence

Opening Reception - Monday, May 4

In addition to paintings by Jonathan Bradley Morse and Walter Launt Palmer and sculpture by Terri Boor, the Living Room, Lobby and Dining Room of the University Club of Albany have long featured works from a variety of renowned artists.

From May through September, the University Club will present a solo exhibition of the works of SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who will serve as the Club’s third Artist in Residence.

The exhibition will open with a Meet the Artist Reception on Monday, May 4, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the National Register-listed University Club at 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street. The reception is free and open to the public and will feature light fare and cash bar.  >> Make a Reservation

Scheduled to run through Monday, August 31, the exhibition will be on view during public and special events at the Club, and by appointment with the artist, who will receive an honorary membership in the University Club for the duration of the show.

A concurrent exhibition will feature historic photographs, drawings and artifacts from the SUNY Central Administration Building, the former D&H Railroad Building. Designed by Marcus Reynolds and inspired by the 13th-century Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium, this structure sits at the foot of State Street on Broadway. The central tower is thirteen stories high and is capped by an 8-foot-tall working weathervane, a replica of Henry Hudson’s ship Half Moon.

The Artist in Residence program furthers the University Club and Foundation’s commitment to promote the use of the historic Clubhouse as a venue for performing and visual arts as well as cultural events. It builds on the success of the October, 2011 Athletic Annex Exhibition curated by local artist Chip Fasciana. For 9 days, the University Club’s former fitness annex was transformed into a “pop up art gallery” with an exhibition featuring some 20 local and regional artists. The Athletic Annex Exhibition was part of MoHu – the Mohawk Hudson Art Festival featuring theatre, dance, music, visual and random acts of art throughout the region.

“I have a lot of interests outside of my job, but my most cherished avocation is watercolor,” Zimpher said.  “I would do it every day if I could. I still paint, but only on occasion now. My most recent painting dates to a few years ago — I did it as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law when they got married. When I find time, I’ll paint New York. I’ve never seen a more beautiful landscape than what you have here.”

Zimpher’s paintings are largely watercolor landscapes inspired by the countryside in her native Ohio and other places she has lived or visited, including Wisconsin, Florida, and Maine. Rich browns, yellows, and golds are prominent in her work.

In June 2009 Nancy L. Zimpher became the 12th chancellor of The State University of New York. With 460,000 students and 64 colleges and universities, SUNY is the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education.

Prior to coming to SUNY, Dr. Zimpher served as president of the University of Cincinnati, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and executive dean of the Professional Colleges and dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University. She has authored or co-authored numerous books, monographs, and academic journal articles on teacher education, urban education, academic leadership, and community-university partnerships.

Chancellor Zimpher holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education and Speech, a master’s degree in English Literature, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Higher Education Administration, all from The Ohio State University.

This event is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc., and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. The 501c3 Foundation which was formed in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the University Club building and property, its neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901. For more information contact the University Club at 518-463-1151 or online at www.universityclubalbany.com.

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