News

July 27, 2018

Pause Gallery Opens its Doors in Troy

The Chamber was delighted to cut the ribbon for the new Pause Gallery on Broadway in Troy on Thursday, July 26th.

Gail and Lou Snitkoff have been avid collectors of art and fine crafts, and supporters of the creative community for most of their adult lives. Pause Gallery is an opportunity to present unique and beautiful objects, as well as works on paper in a warm and welcoming setting. In doing so, they will broaden this community to include those in the Capital Region who appreciate of these works and who wish to acquire them.

Gail’s first career was in academia and higher education. A graduate of Union College, she then earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology and, most recently, taught at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She is a voracious reader and has exercised her right brain by making jewelry. Lou is a physician currently working in health care administration. Also a Union graduate, he attended SUNY Downstate Medical College and practiced general internal medicine. He has been a serious amateur photographer who photographs anything but people.

Gail and Lou were first attracted to Troy by the Farmers Market, which they attended regularly for years. Over this time, they have seen the influx of locally owned boutiques and restaurants into the Downtown area and have come to appreciate Troy’s vibrant and growing creative community. They’re both excited about their location in The News Apartments because a historic building has been preserved and re-purposed for mixed use.

The Pause Gallery space, with masonry walls, concrete floors, and high ceilings is perfect for a gallery. The project’s developer, Rosenblum Companies, immediately embraced their vision for Pause when they first met with them more than one year ago.

Over the past year, Gail and Lou identified more than 50 artists and craftspeople working in a wide variety of media, including watercolors, photography, art glass, ceramics, wood, and jewelry. They chose their work because it resonated with them visually, emotionally, and/or spiritually, and because it is of exceptional quality regardless of the price point.

Both Gail and Lou are experienced and well-informed collectors of work in all of these media. Their connection with the artists gives them a keen understanding of our their motivations and techniques. They are able to share this knowledge with their customers who will enjoy personal attention and an unhurried gallery experience.  There are currently no galleries in the region that duplicate the depth and breadth of the work that will be available at Pause Gallery.