Albany, NY – On Thursday, May 11th, the Albany Underground Artists will return with an exhibition entitled "Unification," that will feature the greatest diversity of visual artists and art coalitions yet assembled in an AUA show.
Unification also represents the formation of a collaboration between AUA and two other local arts organizations working to establish permanent creative art spaces for Albany's emerging scene: The Barn and Kuumba Arts & Cultural Center. On Wednesday, May 10, from 6pm – 8pm, there will be a preview showing; media are encouraged to attend.
Entry to the show is free, but a minimum $5 donation is suggested as there is no budget for this show; Unification is being made possible through the generosity of participating artists, businesses and residents. A portion of all donations, as well as sales of artist works and merchandise, will benefit The Barn and Kuumba.
The Barn, a not-for-profit creative arts incubator, will house affordable artist residences and work/rehearsal studios, a live music/performance space, multiple galleries, public darkroom, multimedia lab, and more. Kuumba will provide a repository for people of African descent arts and cultural forms and an environment for the creation, exhibition, performance and education to the public. These spaces will be available to aspiring regional artists of all disciplines, particularly those who cannot afford or otherwise obtain such space.
As with earlier shows, AUA has chosen a vacant commercial space in which to stage Unification: the first floor of 457 Madison (formerly Dinapoli Opticians), located next to the Lark Tavern just west of Madison and Lark Street. "Unification" brings together twenty-three contemporary regional artists as well as three guest artists from New York City. Participants include well established artists (Leigh Wen, Michael Oatman, Chris Stain), veteran AUA exhibitors and first time entrants. Many styles will be represented, including photography, digital media, sculpture, abstract and representational paintings, tagging and more.
"Through this show, the Albany Underground Artists are attempting to show both the abundance and range of talent we have right here under our noses. More than that, we want to gain momentum for permanent art spaces here in our city," explains show curator, Chip Fasciana.
The Albany Underground Artists formed two years ago in response to a lack of galleries and exhibition opportunities available to Albany's vibrant, but oft unheralded visual artists. AUA sought out vacant buildings as one-time venues in an ongoing series of exhibitions that utilized such nontraditional locales as a former bakery, bank and factory.
The most recent AUA show in September, 2005 filled 4,600 square feet of the Albany Institute of History and Art with works by some 30 local artists, tripling the Institute's all-time attendance record for a single night. Collectively, AUA shows have attracted thousands of attendees from aficionados to the curious, with the intent of bolstering a healthier and more dynamic art and social scene in Albany.
Unification will remain open through Sunday, May 14.
Unification Hours:
Wednesday May 10: 6pm –8pm – PREVIEW SHOWING (*Not Open to the Public)
Thursday, May 11: 6pm–9pm – OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, May 12: 11am – 7pm
Saturday, May 13: 10am – 6pm
Sunday, May 14: 10am – 4pm
For media inquiries, please contact Jeff Mirel at 518-935-4858 or email: info@albanybarn.org
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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New Trial Denied for Caius Veiovis
Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Caius Veiovis' request for a new trial was denied.
Veiovis, now 46, was one of three men convicted in the murder of David Glasser, Edward Frampton, and Robert Chadwell in 2011. He is also known as Roy Gutfinski.
In 2014, he was sentenced to three consecutive life terms for the alleged kidnapping, killing, and dismembering of the Pittsfield men. They were last seen at a city apartment shared by Glasser and Frampton on Aug. 28, 2011; their dismembered bodies were found in Becket that September.
According to AP News, Veiovis told the jury, "I'll see you in hell" after the conviction.
On Tuesday, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office reported that following a final hearing held on June 26, 2026, Justice Michael D. Ricciuti issued an order on Oct. 23, 2026, denying Veiovis's motion for post-conviction relief.
The motion had requested a new trial based chiefly on claims of ineffective assistance by his trial attorney and newly discovered evidence.
Post-conviction relief is a legal process that allows a convicted person to challenge a criminal conviction or sentence in the trial court after direct appeals have ended or were not filed.
"District Attorney Capeless' unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring it is maintained in this case has been truly remarkable," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said.
"His efforts in handling this difficult and complex criminal matter have helped make Berkshire County a safer place."
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