named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Blacksmithing Classes
Workshops in blacksmithing offered on the grounds, part of broader educational programming in traditional crafts
Castle Tours
Free tours of the hand-built castle and studio by appointment for small groups such as seniors and students
Open Studio Day
Annual event featuring gallery access, grounds tours, and artist interaction; planned for first or second Saturday in October
Sculpture Trail
Public walking trail featuring works by renowned artists including Donald Gialanella, Arline Shulman, and Jack Harlow; opened June 2025 with plans for expansion
Stonewall Building Workshops
Hands-on workshops hosted by the artist on castle grounds; limited enrollment with free participation and optional $20 donation
activities · 4 groups
What they do
-
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Creates and installs original metal sculpturesProduces abstract and thematic welded metal sculptures for display on-site and in public spaces, including works such as "Cloud Gazing," "Sight for Sore Eye," "Songs in C," "Countdown," "Walking Man," and a commemorative piece for the Albany-Tula Alliance. The organization also collects scrap metal and creates sculptures from repurposed materials for its sculpture park.
-
-
Cultural Facility Development and Management 1 activity
- Develops and prepares for a public museum and gallery spaceHas obtained 501(c)(3) status and is raising funds to establish a public museum building. Leads ongoing renovation efforts for gallery space at Big Eye Gallery since 2015 and hosts open studio-in-the-castle days as part of future museum development.
-
-
Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Hosts educational workshops and public eventsOffers seasonal workshops in stonewall building, blacksmithing, photography, mycology, art lessons, and meditative music, with limited class sizes. Also hosts open studio days, healing events, music events, and provides free tours for school groups and small groups by appointment.
-
-
Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
- Operates a public sculpture trail and nature-based art destinationManages a seasonal sculpture trail open on Sunday afternoons from June through September (and by appointment), featuring abstract welded metal sculptures, gardens, a classical labyrinth, and humorous signage to enhance visitor experience. The trail is part of a 50-acre property developed as an inspirational center of art and nature for public enjoyment.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$174K
Contributions & grants$113K65%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$15K8%
Other revenue$46K
expenses
Total expenses—
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$174K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$174K
1 years on record · 2025–2025
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 4
- EMILY JUDA — DIRECTOR
- IRA MARTIN — DIRECTOR
- LAILA WAKEEL — DIRECTOR
- PEGGY BECKER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 54
Who they work with
- Albany-Tula Alliance Partner — Commissioned Steven Kroeger to create a commemorative sculpture for permanent display in Albany.
- Allen Stempel Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- Altamont Food-Coop Partner — Debra Barnes Breitenbach served on the board, indicating organizational connection.
- Altamont Free Library Partner — Debra Barnes Breitenbach served on the board, indicating organizational connection.
- Arline Schulman Partner — Featured sculptor whose work "Pure Gold" is displayed at the sculpture park.
- Big Eye Gallery Partner — Hope Konecny is owner and curator of Big Eye Gallery, leading its operations and programming.
- Capital Repertory Theater Partner — Shared leadership through board membership; Peggy Becker serves as current board chair.
- City of Albany Government — Commissioned the "Night Fire" sculpture for the Albany Tulip Festival, which contributed a steel tulip to the city's permanent collection.
- Colleen Skiff Partner — Incoming featured sculptor with work pending display at the sculpture park.
- David Bunce Partner — Collaborated on the film "The Middle Ages" shot at the Castle grounds.
- Debra Breitenbach Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- Donald Gialanella Partner — Featured sculptor whose work "Walking Man" is displayed at the sculpture park.
- Eric Radliff Partner — Incoming featured sculptor with work pending display at the sculpture park.
- Facebook Network — Posts events on local community pages on Facebook.
- Galway Players Partner — Amy E. Jessup produces musicals for this group, indicating artistic collaboration.
- Harold Tomlinson Partner — Incoming featured sculptor with work pending display at the sculpture park.
- Helderberg Workshops Partner — Summer workshop program in Altamont, NY where Noah Khoury taught blacksmithing to middle-school aged youth.
- Hope Konecny Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- Ira Martin Partner — Incoming featured sculptor with work pending display at the sculpture park.
- Jack Harlow Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- Jeff Grippin Partner — Collaborated with Travis Breitenbach by performing welding for the sculptures.
- Jeff Grippin Partner — Collaborates on sculptural works, contributing welding skills and artistic input.
- Jeff Grippin Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- John Yost Partner — Collaborated on the film "White Creek" shot at the Castle grounds.
- Jonathan Whitney Partner — Produced the film short "Mr. Wonderful" shot at the Castle grounds.
- Junior League of Albany Partner — Shared leadership through board service; Emily Juda is a former board member.
- Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs Partner — Debra Barnes Breitenbach and Laila Wakeel have leadership roles, indicating active partnership.
- Kris Hauser Partner — Incoming featured sculptor with work pending display at the sculpture park.
- Louis N. Domanico Partner — Featured sculptor with work included in the sculpture park.
- Louis N. Domanico Partner — Posthumously contributed sculptures through his estate, which inspired the development of the museum and sculpture trail.
+ 24 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art and Nature as a Community-Centered Experiencemethodology: art-and-nature-community-centerBy integrating art, nature, and architecture into a shared public space, the organization fosters public engagement and enjoyment because immersive, multidimensional environments inspire connection, reflection, and joy.
- Experiential Engagement Through Humor and Accessibilitymethodology: humor-based engagementBy designing the park experience to emphasize humor and joyful accessibility, the organization ensures high visitor satisfaction and emotional connection because positive emotional experiences increase return engagement and word-of-mouth promotion.
- Interdisciplinary Artistic Integrationmethodology: interdisciplinary_artistic_practiceBy combining diverse artistic mediums such as sculpture, music, and architecture, the organization creates a unified creative practice that solves aesthetic challenges and enriches visitor experience because cross-medium integration deepens artistic resonance and innovation.
- Legacy-Based Artist Engagement Modelmethodology: artist-engagement_legacy_modelBy inviting artists to donate, loan, or sell works for permanent display, the organization builds a growing public art collection and encourages ongoing artistic participation through feature opportunities, because legacy preservation motivates artist contribution and ensures cultural continuity.
- Walking Meditation for Spiritual and Community Connectionmethodology: walking meditationBy offering a labyrinth for walking meditation, the organization fosters inner peace and community connection because contemplative movement in a sacred space supports personal reflection and shared human experience.