Information for
Helpful Links
Russell Sage College is hosting an Out of the Darkness Walk and art show in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Saturday, September 19, 2026, on the Kahl Campus Center quad, located on its Albany campus.
Unique to the walk is “The Art for Hope and Healing Show,” which will be on display from noon to 3 p.m. in the college’s Rathbone Hall, next to the walk site. Students, college employees, and community members submitted 16 pieces of artwork that connected to their interpretation of hope or healing.
The walk includes speakers, a sand-pouring ceremony, snacks, beverages, and information tables related to mental health. The event starts at noon. Speakers go on at 12:30 p.m. and then the walk, which consists of loops around the quad, kicks off at 1 p.m. The event concludes just before 2 p.m. with a sand-pouring ceremony, where sand is poured out in memory of a loved one lost to suicide.
Everything is free and open to the public.
The walk was organized by Jonathan Wilson, an expressive arts in mental health major at Russell Sage, who was inspired by attending a similar walk in the spring at University at Albany. Wilson lost a loved one to suicide several years ago and said he struggled with how to talk about it to others.
“I’m very thankful this got to happen, and I was able to have all these people help me make this dream possible,” Wilson said. “Trust God and have faith in yourself, and anything is possible.”
The first 100 people to check in will receive a free t-shirt.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Out of the Darkness Walk and “Hope and Healing” art show
When: Saturday, September 19, noon-2 p.m.
Where: Russell Sage College’s Albany campus, Kahl Campus Center quad, 140 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208
Activities: Speakers at 12:30 p.m., walk at 1 p.m., sand-pouring ceremony shortly before close of event at 2 p.m. Art show runs from noon to 3 p.m. in Rathbone Hall on campus.
Notes: Free and open to the public. Visit the online fundraising site to contribute.