Shortly after fireworks mark the beginning of the new year, activity will explode at the Albany Museum of Art with new art exhibitions, a community concert, multiple painting and art classes, a college student session of Courageous Conversations About Race, a book club meeting, and the museum’s first-ever theatrical classes.

“January can be a downtime after all of the seemingly non-stop holiday demands of the last couple of months, but not at the AMA,” Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D., said. “We shall start off the new year at full throttle, offering a wide array of exciting events and programs for all ages in January.”

The AMA will be closed on Monday, Jan 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday, but programming will get underway the next day.

“We will open with our popular Toddler Takeover program on Tuesday, Jan 3, and programming and events will continue through Jan 31. We will have something for everyone during the month,” Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said.

Here is a snapshot of January events and programs at the Albany Museum of Art. Unless otherwise noted, the program or event takes place at the museum, which is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive, just off Gillionville Road and adjacent to the west campus of Albany State University. As always, the AMA offers free admission for everyone.

Tuesday, Jan 3
Toddler Takeover
10:30-11 am
Toddlers ages 18 month to 5 years old and their parents and caregivers visit a gallery, enjoy story time, and engage in an art activity. Siblings are welcome. Afterward, families are welcome to spend time in the AMA’s children’s activities center.
Cost: Free for AMA members, $5 for future members
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/toddler-takeover

Tuesdays, Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
Kids Take the Stage at the Museum: Rising Stars (K-2nd grade)
3:30-4:20 pm
Longtime children’s theater educator Vickie Knuckles directs this new six-week acting class for kids, who will learn basic acting concepts and how to develop their acting skills by utilizing voice, body, and mind.
Cost: $75 (the course continues on Feb 7 and 14)
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/kids-take-the-stage

Tuesdays, Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
Kids Take the Stage at the Museum: Shooting Stars (3rd-5th grade)
4:30-5:20 pm
Longtime children’s theater educator Vickie Knuckles directs this new six-week acting class for kids, who will learn basic acting concepts and how to develop their acting skills by utilizing voice, body, and mind.
Cost: $75 (the course continues on Feb 7 and 14)
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/kids-take-the-stage

Thursday, Jan 12
Homeschool Day
10-11:30 am (New Time!)
Homeschoolers visit a gallery and work together on a take-home project. Each session focuses on an aspect of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education and incorporates a current exhibition. While aimed at ages K-5th grade, homeschooled students of all ages may participate.
Note: Homeschool Day will start at 10 am in 2023. Previously it began at a later time.
Cost: $5 for AMA members, $10 for future members.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/homeschool-day

Thursday, Jan 12
AMA Members’ Winter Exhibitions Reception
5:30-7 pm
The Winter Exhibitions Reception celebrates the exhibitions Highlighting Contemporary Art in Georgia: Picture This; Globalrama, Works by Gregor Turk, Forsaking All Comfort and Prosperity, Works by Maryam Safajoo, and What’s SHE Doing? Revisiting the Permanent Collection.
Cost: Free for AMA members.
Info: www.albanymuseum.com

Friday, Jan 13
Courageous Conversations About Race: College Edition
9 am-3 pm
Rescheduled from October 2022, this forum, the fifth in the series, provides a safe space for college students and college instructors to explore issues of race and race relations in the United States.
Cost: Free thanks to generous support from United Way of Southwest Georgia, but space is limited so participants must register.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/courageous-conversations

Saturday, Jan 14
Student Art Studio Saturday
10 am-2 pm
In this monthly program created by the AMA Teen Art Board, teenagers may come to the AMA classroom and create art together. Snacks and all art materials are provided at no charge thanks to generous support from the Morehouse School of Medicine.
Cost: Free
Info: www.albanymuseum.com/student-art-studio

Saturday, Jan 14
AMA Members Meet-Up at the High Museum
11 am
It’s a road trip Saturday for Albany Museum of Art members! Members at the Supporting Level or higher can meet together at the main entrance to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta to view the exhibition Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern. The exhibition includes many of Rodin’s best-known compositions, including The Thinker, Monument to Balzac, and The Kiss. The High is located at 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
Cost: Free for AMA members.
Info: www.albanymuseum.com/member-events

Tuesday, Jan 17
AMA Art Lovers Book Club
6 pm
The book club members will share a glass of wine and discuss In the Full Light of the Sun, by Clare Clark, at their January meeting. There is no formal membership and everyone is welcome to join in. The AMA requests that you register so adequate seating will be provided.
Cost: Free for everyone.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/book-club

Thursday, Jan 19
Corks & Canvases Painting Party: Renoir
5:30-7:30 pm
Participants at the fourth Corks & Canvases Painting Party for those 21 and older will be able to enjoy a glass of wine together while they recreate Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s 1873 painting Woman in the Garden. No art experience is required, and step-by-step instruction will be provided.
Cost: $25 for AMA members, $30 for future members.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/corks-and-canvases

Tuesday, Jan 25 (New date!)
After School Art Club: Elementary School
3:30-5 pm
Students in elementary school learn the basics, then are taught techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition, and various drawing methods. As the classes progress, participants learn how to work with different materials and techniques.
Note: Normally on the last Tuesday of the month, this class has changed its January date to avoid a conflict with Kids Take the Stage.
Cost: $12 per session for AMA members; $15 per session for future members. Families with more than one child in the class get an additional 10% discount.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/art-club

Saturday, Jan 28
Laura Cetilia Immersive Cello Concert
2:30 pm at the Belk Building
Renowned cellist and composer Laura Cetilia will come to Albany to perform original works inspired by Albany Museum of Art spaces. She will be in concert at the Belk Building, the AMA’s future home at 140 W. Broad Ave. in downtown Albany.
Cost: Free, but registration is requested.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/laura-cetilia

Monday, Jan 30
After School Art Club: Middle & High School
4-6 pm
Students learn the basics, then are taught techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition, and various drawing methods. As the classes progress, participants learn how to work with different materials and techniques.
Cost: $12 per session for AMA members; $15 per session for future members. Families with more than one child in the class get an additional 10% discount.
Info and registration link: www.albanymuseum.com/art-club

If you have any questions about AMA educational programs or events, please contact Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem at [email protected] or call her at 229.439.8400.

For questions about membership events or how to become an AMA member, please contact Director of Development and Membership Chloe Hinton at [email protected] or call her at 229.439.8400.