Go behind the scenes of Paley Studios at RPO event

It’s a rare look behind the scenes of an artist’s studio for the next RPO fundraiser on Sunday, April 26

at Albert Paley’s Metalworks Studio.

Upstairs at Paley Studios

Albert Paley

“People are unaware of the environment and the process that one needs to create art,” said Paley of his 50,000 square-foot studio in Rochester. “It’s like visiting a rehearsal for the Rochester Philharmonic and seeing the discipline that goes toward the final work.”

Downstairs at Paley Studios

If music and art are a match made in heaven, then there is no better artistic pairing in our community than the RPO and Paley.

The renowned metal sculptor has been as much a part of this community as the RPO for over 40 years and has created more than 50 site-specific commissions for both public institutions and private corporations. You can see examples of his work locally outside the Memorial Art Gallery, Strong National Museum of Play and Bausch and Lomb’s downtown headquarters. Other notable works include the Portal Gates for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, and Synergy, a ceremonial archway in Philadelphia. RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik even wrote a musical work inspired by Paley’s 1987 sculpture “Convergence,” currently on display inside Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery (you can see the RPO perform this work with world-premiere choreography by Rochester City Ballet on May 8 and 9!)

“We felt the chance to see where the sparks actually fly and how his work is produced would be very appealing to attendees,” said Steven Hess, an RPO board member and one of the event’s co-sponsors. Hess is joined by his wife Dr. Sarah Atkinson, RPO board member Doug Phillips and his wife Diana, and RPO board member Suzanne Welch and her husband Bill Watson as co-sponsors of the event.

In addition to the opportunity to tour
Paley Studios, event attendees will enjoy musical performances by RPO musicians and Rochester Oratorio Society singers, cocktails, a light supper, delectable desserts, and the opportunity to meet and mingle with Paley, RPO Music Director Ward Stare and RPO musicians Juliana Athayde, Erik Behr, Wes and Shannon Nance.

“100 percent of ticket sales will go toward the RPO,” said Hess, who noted that this event would not have been possible without organization by Alexandra Northrop and the support of Paley Studios, including Director Jennifer Laemlein.

“Culture needs everyone’s support,” said Paley, who last hosted the RPO in 2012. “We have a very rich cultural heritage in Rochester and its more important now than ever to do everything we can to give prominence to our cultural heritage.”

If you go:
What: Cocktail Party and Light Supper: An RPO Fundraiser at Albert Paley’s Metalworks Studio
When: Sunday, April 26, 5 PM-8 PM
Where: 1677 Lyell Ave, Rochester, NY 14606
Cost: $150 per person
RSVP: Kathy Miller at kmiller@rpo.org or 585-454-7311 ext. 243