The Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery located on Jay St. has recently introduced the newest addition to its series of window displays that celebrate local history. This exhibit, created in collaboration with the Museum of Innovation and Science, showcases a variety of historical artifacts that represent the rich history of the local area.
“These artifacts are not just significant to the history of Schenectady, but they also play a crucial role in American history,” said Amanda Otatti, the co-owner of the boutique. “After all, electricity was invented here.”
Amanda and her husband Tate, who started volunteering at MiSci last year, own the boutique. As friends of the museum, they were given a special tour of the basement where the archives are stored. This inspired Amanda to propose a pop-up exhibit at their boutique featuring items borrowed from the museum. Usually, they host local artists in their space.
The exhibit is currently on display and will continue to be until the end of April. Bear and Bird is situated at 160 Jay St.
The exhibit boasts a collection of dozens of items, each representing a piece of Schenectady’s past. From an antique fan to various bird statues, there is something intriguing for everyone.
One of Amanda’s personal favorites is a hand-painted advertisement poster for local hardware store Wallace Armer, which features a phonetic guide to the product Ruberoid. “I was attracted to it because of the vibrant colors,” she said. “I appreciate all the items for different reasons, it’s hard to pick a favorite.”
Other notable items include a variety of GE memorabilia, a painting from 1968 by Oak Room Artists member Raymond Andrews, and a collection of minerals that includes ash from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
“We curated the exhibit based on what we thought the public would find fascinating,” said Otatti.
Bear + Bird was originally established in Florida in 2007. When the couple relocated to the Capital Region in 2018, they were determined to continue the venture they had started over a decade ago. They eventually found their home at the Jay St. Marketplace and have been uncovering the local stories ever since.
“It’s even more enchanting because it’s all new to me,” said Otatti.
The boutique offers items created by local artists as well as those from across the country. They don’t limit themselves to any specific art movement, but often find themselves attracted to items with an illustrative style.
“We have a knack for finding things that spark curiosity,” said Otatti.
Disagree – The pop-up exhibit at Jay St.’s Bear and Bird Boutique was underwhelming and didn’t add anything special to the overall shopping experience.
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