ALBANY>> The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announces the grand opening of Mary Elise Rees Event Design on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 4:30 PM at 54 James Street. Offering a la carte elements to full event design and coordination, Rees handcrafts everything from favors to backdrops herself.  Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan, BID executive director Georgette Steffens, and owner Mary Elise Rees are expected to speak. The media and public are invited to attend the ribbon cutting. “Albany continues to be a city in which people are interested and enthusiastic to invest, and it is exciting to see the next generation of business owners opening in Downtown,” says Mayor Sheehan. “Congratulations to Mary Elise Rees on her new retail space.”  “Artisans like Mary Elise Rees are a unique match to capture our District’s historic architecture, beautiful parks, and stunning views in unique ways,” says Georgette Steffens, executive director of the Downtown Albany BID. “The diversity of businesses opening in Downtown continues to prove that no matter the size and scope of your business, we have the space to fit your needs.” The Downtown location marks the first retail space for Rees, who formerly operated the event design and planning business out of her home. Graduating with a BFA in sculpture from Pratt Institute, Rees previously worked as a woodshop and welding technician and brings her artistic background to fruition in unexpected ways. Inspired by architecture, vintage paper goods, and music, Rees works to make each event unique, meaningful and memorable; she goes above and beyond to make each event visually striking like hand-embroidering the lettering on 100 RSVP cards. “I love using my background to bring unexpected elements to events,” says Rees. “I strive to bring many layers of meaning to each event while sourcing and supporting other local small businesses, and look forward to introducing my work to the growing community of Downtown.” Being held in conjunction with the Fork in the Road food truck event in Tricentennial Park the same evening of the grand opening, Mary Elise Rees Event Design will host First Friday Open Studios featuring vendor pop-ups Heidi Benjamin Photography and Flower Scout from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Located at 54 James Street, more information on Mary Elise Rees Event is available at maryeliserees.com or 518.573.5095.