Muralists pleased with reception to their artwork

ALBANY — Youth was served at the Albany Museum of Art Saturday.

With the opening of muralists JM Rizzi’s and Tony “Rubin415” Sjoman’s “Motion Forward: Street Style” graffiti-influenced exhibit, notes on the “The Art and Sole of a Sneakerhead” exhibit, and sneak-peak advance showings of videos set to be released Friday by Albany-based rap/rock band Unbreakable Bloodline, the historically staid museum found itself opening up to hipper, younger urban art.

“Oh, my gosh, this came together in such a big way,” AMA Executive Director Paula Williams said. “A lot of that had to do with the artists, who bring such energy to their work. You could feel people connecting with that energy when they walked into the room. You could see it on their faces.”

Williams collaborated with Dallas Contemporary Art Museum Director Peter Doroshenko, whose first job after graduating college was as curator of the Albany museum, to bring the “Motion Forward” exhibit to Albany.

“I’m pleased with the way things turned out and the artists are super happy,” Doroshenko said. “Paula and I put this together in a hurry, but things kind of fell into place. A lot of that has to do with the artists.

“Paula and I are talking about maybe doing another exhibit, something entirely different. We’ll kick around some ideas, see where they take us.”

Rizzi and Sjoman said their experience in Albany, the first for each, was positive.

“It was a lot of work, but I’m pleased with the way things turned out,” Sjoman said Saturday. “I’m very happy with the reception we’ve gotten.”

Added Rizzi: “Overall, this has been a very positive experience. Everyone here has been so supportive and receptive to our work. And the people have been tremendously nice, what you’d expect of the South.”