The first memory I have of meeting Leigh Wen was at an Albany Center Gallery gala held in the amazing Union Station building in downtown Albany. She had a live auction piece that went for I believe a couple thousand dollars. (I picked up an Averill Greene painting that same night and regretfully, missed out on a Nadia Trinkala painting...) Over the years I have had brief moments with her, once in her studio in Albany and a few years later I believe in Beacon, NY for a Friendsgiving event. Now a sought after international artist who's work and commissions can surpass $100K, she once again is participating in the area with a fundraising collaboration with Tony Iadicicco's team at the Albany Center Gallery. A very busy woman, she was kind enough to share some insight into her work and process.

"Lines, in Leigh Wen’s art, are the defining agent. They form the hidden pulse and layered score of all the paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works...Etched deep into the surface, they spring and scamper across lush passages of graduated colors, distilling nature’s underlying forces into energized patterns of concentrated beauty." Sarah Tanguy - Independent Curator and Arts Writer

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE! Contributor

Photo: Provided | Leigh Wen - Artist

Join ACE! at the 5th Annual Pop Up Beer Garden and Neighborhood Block Party event at the Opalka Gallery on the Russell Sage Campus in Albany as we enjoy an end of summer blow out! Per usual, the event will include a variety of brews, live music, art, food and family entertainment.

This year will also see the continuation of free screen printing activities where attendees will be able to make a screen printed bandana, poster, or tote. Additionally, The Box Party Art Collective and Prince UFO Catchers will have vending machines filled with amazing stickers and prizes.

Indoors, visitors will be able to check out the first exhibition of the season, To Be—Named. The traveling exhibition partnership includes the European Union funded CoLing project—a multi-national multi-institutional program focused on minority languages, the Experimental Humanities Collaborative Network and the Smithsonian Institute! Opening reception from 6:00 pm to 9:00 in conjunction with the Pop-Up Beer Garden. At 6:30, there will be a performance by artist Aarati Akkapeddi.

Where: Opalka Gallery | 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany New York

When: Friday, September 8th from 6:00 to 9:00

Bands: Zan and the Winter Folk | Amanda Case

Beer: Rare Form Brewing | Mean Max Brewing

Food: La Capital Tacos | Meadowlark Catering

This event is part two of a three part series that will take place on the first three Fridays in September. For a full breakdown of the individual series dates check out the coverage in NIPPERTOWN.

Hope to see you there!

ACE! is partnering up with the Capital Region & Adirondack Film Alliance and 518 Film to converge at Armory Studios (the regions largest NYS Film Tax Credit qualified sound stage) for an informative and fun industry networking event. Meet and mix with the Film Commissioners from Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga and Adirondacks and hear all about production growth in the Capital Region.

Prominent New York State film industry professionals will be on hand to discuss SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes, the impact of AI, and all things film making.

Begin the event by joining us at the Officers Club for networking, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar to be followed up by a series of industry discussions, regional news, updates and a facility tour.

Date: Wednesday, September 20 from 5:30 to 7:30

Ticket: $12. Present your stub at check in and MENTION ACE! to get entered into a drawing for a special surprise!

Have industry news to share at the event? We want to hear about it! Hit us up at hello@upstateace.org

Collage Images: (1 / 3) Patrick J. Harris | (2) Gee Gee Wolmart