The Artwork
THE ARTWORK
View of the Copper Crow building from the South
All you have to do is drive by the Copper Crow to see just how important it is to the owners to support local artists. Both sides of their historic Andrew Kirk Brewery building are adorned with murals depicting a murder of crows. Inside large works framed in Copper depict 19th century brewery workers, original paintings seen through old vintage glass windows depict an early scene of Market Street (now Broadway) and a view across the Hudson of the Albany Skyline and on the stage wall… a modern interpretation of an early 20th century advertisement for the Municipal Brewing Company.
Samson Contompasis
The owners commissioned renowned local artist Samson Contompasis to adorn both sides of the Andrew Kirk Brewery building with murals. Having worked with the artist previously for a stage mural at Savoy Taproom on Lark Street, the owners in essence gave the artist a blank canvas and cart blanche to do as he pleased. The result… two stunning murals on the South and North sides of the building depicting a murder of crows, some in flight, some perched and some seemingly ready to fly right off the building.
Artist Samson Contompasis standing in front of two of his murals depicting 19th century brewery workers
Inside the owners charged Contompasis with creating two large paintings, framed in copper, that would depict how the interior of the building might have appeared in the 19th century, showcasing both brewery workers and the equipment. The pieces would be installed on the brick wall in the restaurant’s lounge and would serve as a focal point when customers first arrived in the restaurant. The resulting artworks are stunning.
Self-schooled and studied to work in a variety of different mediums, Contompasis is best known for works that bridge the gap between painting, sculpture and performance, creating relics that illustrate the massive to subtle. To learn more about the artist and his work visit www.samsoncontompasis.com
Lexi Hannah
Artist Lexi Hannah standing in front of her mural and showcasing two of her paintings for the Copper Crow
When the owners wanted to turn an old 19th century advertisement for the Municipal Brewing Company, one of the last brewers to operate in the building, into a large mural for the Copper Crow they turned to local artist Lexi Hannah. The incredible result of her hard work can now be seen on the old stage wall.
In the lounge area the owners wanted customers to feel as though they were sitting in an old Albany warehouse. They added vintage six paned windows on either side of the ship-lapped walls and behind each commissioned Lexi Hannah to produce an original painting, one an early depiction of Market street (now Broadway) and the second a view across the Hudson at the skyline of Albany. The effect is mesmerizing. Turn your head either was as you walk through the space and it’s almost like a journey back in time.
Lexi Hannah is a mixed-media artist from New York. She has worked on community projects across the US and abroad in Italy, Ecuador and Peru. To learn more about the artist and her work visit www.lexihannah.studio