Downtown Schenectady looks a lot brighter this season with nearly 30 glowing holiday displays shown as part of the Illuminocity Competition.
Local businesses and nonprofits have partnered to create elaborate displays for holiday fronts and storefronts in hopes of winning cash prizes in one of six categories, with the money going to the nonprofit.
The Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery on State Street displays an intricate display honoring famous Schenectady buildings and companies, including General Electric and Proctors, among others.
“The architecture is iconic, it’s not really like anywhere else I’ve been,” said Amanda Magnetta-Ottati, owner of Bear and Bird. “I think when you’re here you get used to it.”
To present the show, Magnetta-Ottati got together with her family members and partnered with CREATE Community Studios, a non-profit organization that provides community art-making services.
They photographed iconic buildings around the city and used Procreate software to trace the architectural details of them all, eventually printing them out and framing each segment with a line of lights.
In the foreground, they also included cut-out illustrations of statues and miniature prints of the daily newspaper, which were printed on newspapers. Above the miniature city is a lighted sign that reads “Schenectady”.
Magnetta-Ottati filmed a video that captured the creation of the show and recently shared it on social media.
“It’s rare as a family to do a project like this where you all have the same vision of how to get it done, and it was so satisfying to see them finally come together,” Magnetta-Ottati said. “We are very proud of that.”
Elsewhere, Carolyn Bardwell, owner of the Schenectady Trading Company, partnered with Schenectady Greenmarket to decorate her storefront. String lights are wrapped around each of the pillars in the foreground, and the words “Electric City” are depicted with lights hanging on the balustrade.
Bardwell said the biggest challenge in putting it together was the crunch of time. The competition was announced by the city of Schenectady in early November and all shows had to be installed at Holiday Parade on November 20. By the time Bardwell partnered with Greenmarket, they had about a week to implement their design ideas. However, they succeeded in that.
“[I’m] I am delighted to be a part of it and I am delighted to continue promoting Schenectady through my work. It’s just another way we can get more. . . “The community’s pride and interest in downtown Schenectady,” Bardwell said.
With their bid, they hope to score a win in the “Schenectady Pride” category.
Not too far away, the team at Habitat ReStore Schenectady are aiming for a win in the “The Griswolds” category. The window display contains all kinds of details from the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” including a portrait of the Griswold family, a chipmunk, Eddie’s cousin’s bathrobe and hat.
“We have families in attendance getting an official Christmas card photo in our window,” said Madeline Thorne, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Schenectady County.
According to Thorne, the screen design is credited to two other Habitat employees. They set up everything from the sofa to the fireplace, the tree, the Christmas lights, and more. Most of it came from ReStore, although the staff also purchased some key pieces, like a family portrait.
“If you knew the movie and then you came in here and you looked around, they got all the details,” Thorne said.
“I didn’t understand how popular this movie is and how this is a Christmas thing for people who make sure they watch this movie every year. I’m glad Habitat and Habitat’s ReStore were able to bring so many smiles and laughter to people.”
Other categories include the most creative, technically challenging, and most exciting. There’s also a People’s Choice Award, which visitors can vote on via dailygazette.com/illuminocity through January 1. According to the organizers, thousands of dollars will be awarded in prizes, with the money going to local nonprofits. Winners will be announced in January
“It was hard being downtown. It was hard last year and to have this initiative that gave everyone a chance to work together and connect with each other and when you come downtown at night it’s all lit up… it’s been tough,” Thorne said. It was just a positive thing for us.
As part of the competition, for those who come downtown to see all of the Illuminocity entries, there are also six selfie stations set up. Participants can visit all six sites, post their photos to social media using #illuminocity, and email profile pictures to [email protected] For a chance to win a $100 gift card. Entries must be no later than 11:29 PM on January 1st.
Here’s a look at the sites:
Transfinder – 440 State Street
Maria Cafe & Café – 412 Al Ittihad Street
Expertise and Creative Design – 510 Al Ittihad Street.
Electricity City Apartments – 236 State Street.
Karen B Johnson Public Library – 99 Clinton Street.
151 Bar and Restaurant – 151 Lafayette Street.
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Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts