PaintCare and Albany Parking Authority Unveil New Mural at Quackenbush Garage

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a joint collaboration, PaintCare and the Albany Parking Authority were joined on Monday, Aug. 4 by elected officials, local dignitaries and industry stakeholders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Quackenbush Garage, where the organizations unveiled their new community mural. The project seeks to raise awareness of paint stewardship and local recycling efforts happening throughout the Capital Region. Local freelance illustrator and muralist, Quill Harrison, created the mural artwork, incorporating recycled paint collected by PaintCare for recycling.

During the event, remarks were made by Mike Johnson, American Coatings Association CEO; Andrew Radin, PaintCare NY Program Manager; Sean Palladino, Albany Parking Authority's Executive Director; and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

Attendees also included Chief City Auditor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Empire State Development, the Downtown Albany BID, Discover Albany, and the Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA).

"We're thrilled to be in Albany today as we unveil this outstanding community mural, alongside the artist and our wonderful local partners. The mural showcases the paint and coatings industry's spirit of collaboration and innovation," said Mike Johnson, CEO at American Coatings Association. "The fact that it uses some of the paint collected in our PaintCare program underscores the importance of a responsible, circular approach to sustainability."

"Projects like this demonstrate how reused paint and strong local collaboration can create something truly beautiful for the entire community," said Andrew Radin, New York Program Manager at PaintCare. "We're proud to partner with the Albany Parking Authority and love seeing how public art can transform shared spaces. Quill and the Albany Center Gallery did an exceptional job designing this one-of-a-kind mural, and we're thrilled to see the community come together to celebrate it and the important message it sends to the region."

Conveniently situated near popular restaurants and businesses, the Quackenbush Garage is a central hub to the downtown Albany area. Over the last decade, the Albany Parking Authority has been expanding its public art collection, featuring dozens of art installations, with the mural being its most recent addition. While Quill painted this latest mural, PaintCare had launched a dedicated webpage to showcase progress.

"Selecting local artist Quill Harrison for the mural design and execution is another example of how we're committed to supporting the City of Albany," said Sean Palladino, Executive Director, Albany Parking Authority. "Downtown Albany features many thriving restaurants and businesses that bring people to our parking facilities. We're proud to create a space that celebrates local art and programs like PaintCare, while bringing the people of Albany together."

Senator Patricia Fahy said, "I want to congratulate and thank Capital Region artist Quill Harrison for their work on downtown Albany's newest public mural. Public art is a public good that helps to beautify our communities, breathe life into our neighborhoods, and supports our local arts community at a time it's needed most. I couldn't be more excited to see this new piece adorn downtown Albany, the core of our Capital Region, and I encourage everyone to stop by Quackenbush Garage to see now just this addition, but the plethora of public art that helps make Albany appealing to visitors and residents alike."

Assemblymember Gabriella Romero said, "I'm proud to join PaintCare and the Albany Parking Authority for the unveiling of a new mural at the Quackenbush Garage. This mural is a powerful example of how public art can raise awareness about environmental issues like paint recycling. Community engagement through local art projects like this is essential to promoting both sustainability and the work of local artists. Congratulations to our talented local artist, Quill Harrison, on this outstanding achievement!" 

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said, "This mural is more than just a vibrant addition to our city; it's a powerful statement on sustainability. By turning what would be waste paint into art, we are leading by example and showing the power of paint stewardship. I would like to thank the artist Quill Harrison, PaintCare, and the Albany Parking Authority for their work to bring this mural to life. Public art like this brings people together, transforms everyday spaces, and reminds us of the local creativity that makes Albany so special."

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "The new public art that has taken shape throughout Park Albany's garages and lots not only spurs additional creativity and an opportunity to collaborate with our local artists, but invigorates our historic architecture and makes Albany's newest neighborhood a vibrant hub of connectivity that attracts new residents, visitors, and businesses alike. This new partnership with PaintCare not only helps bolster the vibrancy of Downtown Albany but highlights the importance of sustainability and recycling, even through public art. I commend Park Albany, PaintCare, and our local artist, Quill Harrison, for highlighting the importance of public art and being committed to fostering an environment to help create more of it in the years to come."

City of Albany Chief City Auditor Dr. Dorice Applyrs said, "I'm thrilled to see Albany's newest work of art come to life. Especially beautifully imagined and brought to the wall by the incredibly talented Quill Harrison, one of the Capital Region's very own. For years, the Albany Parking Authority has been reimagining how we experience downtown, using public art to infuse the city with energy and color. I want to extend a huge thanks to PaintCare for their unwavering support of creative expression, sustainability, and community partnerships. This mural is more than just a stunning welcome to downtown—it's a reminder of what's possible when we come together with purpose and creativity."

Created by paint companies through the American Coatings Association, PaintCare was established to help manage leftover paint in states that enact paint stewardship laws. Following New York passage of its stewardship law in 2019, the organization now has more than 350 recycling drop-off sites across New York State, including over 50 within the Capital Region. To learn more about PaintCare and find a local paint drop-off site, visit: paintcare.org/NY.

About Albany Parking Authority 
The Albany Parking Authority is responsible for managing parking in The City of Albany, NY, including on-street meters and several garages and surface lots centrally located near Albany's greatest attractions like the MVP Arena, the Palace Theatre, and the Egg. For nine years, the Albany Parking Authority has partnered with multiple community organizations and over 30 artists to grow their public art collection with the focus on improving walkability and economic development within New Yorks Capital City.

About PaintCare
PaintCare is committed to making it easy and convenient for households, businesses, and institutions to recycle postconsumer (leftover) paint in states with paint stewardship laws. A nonprofit organization created by paint companies, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. More than 77 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish have been managed by PaintCare in 10 states and the District of Columbia. 

Media Contacts:
Hannah Vattikonda, The Martin Group: 585-506-8324

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SOURCE PaintCare