Kiddie Pool is where home, art & community collide

Happy Tuesday, Capital District! Today, we’re introducing you to Kiddie Pool, Albany’s residential space for art & literature, curated by our very own Karley. Plus, we’ve got a Santa’s sleigh full of holiday events this week 🎄🎅 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Art in Residence: Home meets gallery at Albany’s Kiddie Pool 🖼️ 

Much of the art world exists in rarified spaces: white-walled galleries, prestigious museums and old-money auction houses.

By contrast, Kiddie Pool aims to animate the Capital Region’s local art scene at street level—in Albany’s Mansion District, to be exact. Here in this rough-around-the edges enclave of historic homes, the residential project space hosts art shows, literary readings, book clubs and intimate dinner parties.

Karley Sullivan, The 518’s co-publisher, created Kiddie Pool after relocating to Albany from California in 2022. She found herself living in a remarkably intact 1874 rowhouse, complete with 12-foot ceilings, marble fireplaces and original Cornelius & Baker chandeliers. Karley also discovered that the historic home had long served as a focal point for activism and artists, and she wanted to continue that legacy.

Chiefly curated by Karley and special guests, Kiddie Pool follows a trend of gallery shows held in personal homes. In fact, The New York Times Magazine just wrote about this: “Where Your Living Room Is Also a Gallery.”

“When you take a piece of art and you put it in a gallery, it’s in a white cube—it's divorced from its context,” says Karley, who has an MFA from CalArts. “So Kiddie Pool, I hope, takes place in a space where the art happens more in the context of life. It’s more real, approachable and intimate.”

This week, as part of First Friday Albany, Kiddie Pool is putting on a party to celebrate its one-year anniversary. It also happens to be the 150th anniversary of the home—and the 1874 Transit of Venus. A recording of that rare celestial event is believed to be the first instance of cinematography.

“We’re celebrating all of these incredible dates converging together,” Karley says. “As someone who is fascinated by history, photography, astronomy and astrology, there’s a lot of meaning behind these events.”

Co-hosted by The 518, the Transit of Venus / Kiddie Pool Anniversary Party is free and open to the public. Architectural historian Peter Gabak from RIT opens the night with a presentation on Gilded Age interiors. Artist Nina Isabel will lead a playful UFO conjuring, and there will be projections, curations, libations and good company to enjoy throughout the evening. Come out and meet us!

The deets: Kiddie Pool, 128 Grand St, Albany. 7p-midnight. RSVP here. Read a review in Art Spiel of Judith Braun’s show, “I’M BAD,” at Kiddie Pool.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

A word from our sponsor

Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!

🐔 Thursday’s the day for the new Chick-fil-A at 944 Central Ave—its first location in Albany and 6th restaurant in the Capital Region. Expect long lines, and if you’re driving through, enter on Colvin Ave. [News10]

🐈️ This holiday season, give the gift of a forever home. Adoptions at the Berkshire Humane Society are down, so the shelter is running a special—50% off all adoption fees. C’mon folks, just look at these sad faces. [News10]

👮‍♂️ Albany has a new police chief—and it’s a familiar face. Brendan Cox, an Albany native and 23-year veteran of the force, previously served as as chief from 2015 until 2017. Under Cox, Albany implemented police strategies regarded as "progressive and innovative," which drew national attention. [WAMC]

Get ready for the auction event of the year! On Saturday, at 1 pm, this iconic Queen Anne-style mansion will be sold in a live auction, without reserve. This event is your chance to own a piece of Saratoga’s rich history. Located just 1.5 blocks from the Saratoga Racetrack and a 10-minute walk to downtown, this property is a prime investment opportunity for the right buyer.

The sale includes everything—furnishings, equipment, and all items associated with the Union Gables Inn, a beloved hotel that boasts a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor. The property also features a charming carriage house with two additional suites, a heated in-ground pool, and private on-site parking. Private previews are available by appointment.

The deets: 11 bd, 11 ba, 7529 sf. Asking: Auction price. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursdays! Keep an eye on your inbox.

❄️ First Friday Albany, the city’s monthly celebration of arts & culture, returns with a holiday twist. For the Winter Wonders Market, artisans have been invited to showcase their handmade crafts in venues around the city. Come find the perfect holiday gift and check out all of the other cool events happening on First Friday!

🎄 It’s a week of tree lightings as the Capital District hops into the holiday mood. Albany’s Holiday Tree Lighting takes place Thursday evening at Academy Park with da mayor. But the big event is at the Empire State Plaza on Sunday. Other tree lightings in Schenectady, Saratoga and Ballston Spa.

🤶 The 42nd annual Troy Victorian Stroll is back on Sunday. Expect downtown Troy to be absolutely mobbed for this event. Meanwhile, Saratoga has its own Victorian Stroll on Thursday.

🍫 What’s more holiday than hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day? The Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll is Saturday, which is also Day 2 of the Holiday Market at Union Station.

🏳️‍🌈 Also happening Saturday in Albany is the Big Gay Market at Quackenbush Square.

🎅 Bring the kids on Saturday to St. Nicholas Day at Crailo Historic State Site in Rensselaer for hot cocoa, crafts and a visit with St. Nick.

🎭️ The holiday spirit takes the stage with opening week for The Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre; A Christmas Story: The Musical at the Playhouse Stage in Cohoes; A Sherlock Carol at theREP; and Cirque Dreams Holidaze, also at the Palace Theatre.

🖼️ On Friday, the Albany Public Library and Opalka Gallery present “Repeat Play: The Art of Pattern.” Come meet the artists at the opening reception at the Pine Hills branch, plus enjoy light fare and music by RK Jazz and Blues, an all-female jazz trio.

📚️ On Saturday, Ryan Shanahan brings “Sweating the Petty: Adventures in Internet Scambaiting” to Mojo Cafe & Gallery in Troy. The evening will feature real (and absurd) conversations with internet scam artists. This should be fun! Get tix here.

🏡 Also Saturday, the Bolton Holiday Home Tour will feature five stunningly decorated homes. Proceeds benefit The Conkling Center in Glens Falls, which supports seniors and their caregivers.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

🦫 CAPPIE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know which holiday tradition in the Capital District you absolutely love. Or tell us about a cool event or business we absolutely need to cover 🧡