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THE PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION :: 404 RIVER STREET :: 518-273-0100
When Nicholas Argyros is interested in something, he completely immerses himself in it. He never thought that he would start The Photography Center of the Capital Region. being a former math teacher and Department of Education research coordinator. Not many people would begin their retirement with opening a small business, but he is not one to stop working or pursuing his interests. Argyros came to the Capital Region to teach 6th-12th Grades in Mathematics, later receiving his PhD in Statistics and a job coordinating research for the Department of Education. He loved everything that he did, no day was the same and he thoroughly enjoyed the process of making sense of a lot of information.
Within the same mentality, his interest in photography began as a teenager in Junior High School. Throughout his life, he has sustained it as a viewer, visiting photographer’s studios, collecting cameras and photographs alongside his full-time job. Nicholas has had a long history with the creative community in downtown Troy and the Capital Region. He was a constant supporter with the opening of The Arts Center of the Capital Region and at the former Fulton Street Gallery. The Photography Center just celebrated its twelfth year anniversary. Each year, it has has published two photo books: one for the annual group show and one exhibition catalog of a local photographer. While the Photography Regional exhibition came to Troy every few years, Nicholas wanted photography to have a more consistent venue within the area, including a more diverse representation of the medium itself. By chance, his realtor friend Tom Wheeler, told him about a building for sale in Troy. Nicholas took a chance with his retirement fund from the state, he jumped in and bought the building at 404 River Street.
Built in the 1910’s, the building had been home to Tiger’s Sporting Goods, then to a deli and a private residence. Renovations included removing an 8 foot false ceiling on the first floor, installing full heating and track lighting. His gut renovation created a pristine white gallery space with high ceilings and exhibition lighting. Remnants of the previous deli are only the sink and kitchen area to the front of the space. The main large room is a Gallery space for rotating solo and group exhibitions, the back area became a museum displaying many old cameras behind glass cases and the 3rd floor became a hidden gem of downtown Troy, a Library of 15,000 photography and art books. Admission is free and the Center offers a Membership of $45 a year, allowing access to the Library and participation in the Annual Members Show, with a published catalog. Artists congregate in the main room during Salon Nights (3rd Tuesday of the month), with portfolio reviews and Dinner Nights on 2nd Mondays, which Nicholas hopes to start up again (involving his other passion of cooking).
All styles and techniques of photography are represented in The Photo Center exhibits. There are abstracts, urban landscapes, infra-red techniques, portraiture, travel and photos of self-created images, scenes and sets. The museum in the back of the space has grown quickly. Nicholas’ goal is to represent every type of genre in photography and at least one of every type of camera design. There are over 1,000 vintage photographs and art and artifacts also. All represent Nicholas’ enthusiastic interest in learning and appreciating photographs and objects. A new interest is antique clocks, which he says, are the antithesis of photography. Photography captures time while the clock reminds you of progression, which Nicholas envisions The Photography Center. of the Capital Region maintaining a space to connect, create and grow.
©Downtown Troy BID 2019