DEPARTURE

I have sold my work on and off at DEPARTURE (aptly named since it is located in the Albany International Airport) on and off for years but haven't had anything in there for a while. But today, I dropped off a bunch of my Petal People cards. DEPARTURE is a truly unique store. It is dubbed "The Shop of Capital Region Museums" because shop manager Bonnie Alexander patrols galleries and museums looking for new local art to sell there. She found me years ago through my display at an artisans cooperative and I have always been tickled to see my work as I grab a flight and head out of town. The shop is located pre-security on the first floor of the terminal between Ticketing and Baggage Claim.

Here's how DEPARTURE is described:

DEPARTURE features fine hand-crafted gifts, artwork, and historic materials from more than 60 regional museums and cultural institutions. All purchases help support local artists and participating museums.Since opening in 2000, DEPARTURE has generated more than $1.5 million in revenue for the participating organizations. From The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls to the National Racing Museum in Saratoga Springs; MASS MoCA in North Adams to The Clark in Williamstown, DEPARTURE represents all that exemplifies the unique character of the Capital Region, including the country's oldest museum, the Albany Institute of History and Art and the first Shaker settlement's Shaker Heritage Society in Albany.

Whether or not one can visit all of these great cultural destinations, a single stop at DEPARTURE offers a sampling of gifts that reflect each museum's mission and heritage. Special collections of jewelry, pottery and textiles, historic prints and books, as well as artisan-made home decor and accessories are also featured, making DEPARTURE a one-stop exploration of the Region's most significant cultural offerings.

Hours:
9am-6pm, daily

For more information, call:
518.242.2540