The Old Jail Art Center
Albany

In 1968, when an art collector inherited a stone jail in a small West Texas town, no one really took notice.  Today, that old jail is the very visible anchor of a nationally accredited art museum that serves as a regional center for exhibition and education in the visual arts.

The town was Albany, and the old jail is now the Old Jail Art Center.  The building, erected in 1877 of Texas limestone, stands as a fine example of 19th-century Texas classic architecture.  An Albany native and playwright saved it from demolition in 1940 and used it for many years as his writing studio before passing it to his nephew.

Significant gifts from four private collectors with local roots enabled the museum to open to the public in 1980.  The permanent collection has since expanded to include over 2,000 works of exceptional quality that span important periods in Asian, European, American, and pre-Columbian art.  Having undergone two major expansions in 1984 and 1996, the museum now comprises over 14,000 square feet and has a large and active membership.  With a focus on education, the museum presents exhibitions and art programs year-round to serve an audience from around the globe.

 

The Old Jail Art Center
201 South 2nd Street
Albany, TX 76430
Phone: 325.762.2269
director@theoldjailartcenter.org

www.theoldjailartcenter.org

To learn more about Albany, please visit:
www.albanytexas.com