Nice!

Yeah, we have one of those Buffalo weekends when there's too much stuff to do. Tonight, Mary Begley's opening at Kepa3 (below), tomorrow, Terry Sullivan and David Kane's Subterranean Puppet Show at Club Diablo (picture, above, by Jill Shanley-Morlock). And, (I know, I'm using my blog to whine), I have one HELL of a cold. Freakin' brutal! Even my teeth hurt. I will be missing Mary's opening tonight ('cause I'm so friggin' miserable I want to die), and I really hope I can make tomorrow's festivities. I'll take the Ny-Quill and see what happens.....

Mary Begley at Kepa3 Gallery

Mary Begley
"Nature Scapes"
Abstracts, oil on canvas
September 29 - October 23
Opening Reception Friday, September 29 from 6:00-9:00pm
Kepa3 Gallery
31 Barker, Buffalo NY 14201
884-2606

Gallery hours:
Tues & Fri 11:00am - 5:00pm
Wed, Thurs, & Sat 11:00am - 3:00pm

The Dalai Lama's Visit to Buffalo

First of all, I have to say that I did not get to go today, which makes me very sad (damn tickets and job). I am very grateful the Amy Maxwell and BuffaloGeek were there to live blog- they did a fantastic job of covering the speech.
There were/are plenty of things going on in WNY to celebrate his visit. I saw Rick Ray's film "10 Questons for the Dalai Lama" at Daemen on Sunday. Ray was there to present the film, and answered many questions. And the Dalai Lama- well, he is simply amazing. I know that he truly beleives that we are all the same, but he is my hero. And let's face it, he's very cute too- his great smile, his giggle and sense of humor- there is no one like him on earth. We are so blessed that he came here- especially when the world is in the shape it's in....

Terry Sullivan Documentary

I just blogged on my sister-blog- Buffaloroots, about a movie that was done about Terry Sullivan, Buffalo's rock star. Click here to view......

A grey vacation day...

So I had time to surf the internet.

Esmonde's Piece on Tourism

Today in the Buffalo News, Donn Esmonde has an article named "Proof that We Have Upscale Tourist Allure". This is exactly the kind of writing this blog is all about. Not just cheerleading about what a great place we live in (we KNOW that already), but the people and places to back it up.

Two Years After Tibet

Welcome to Buffalo, HH Dalai Lama. There are many events to celebrate his visit, one being "Two Years After Tibet" by Joanna Angie at the Insite Gallery , 810 Elmwood Avenue. The opening reception is this Saturday, September 16, 7-10, and the show runs through October 16.
The same evening, Just Buffalo will be presenting "Crazy Wisdom: Buddism, Beat Literature and American Poetics" at Buffalo Arts Studio at 8pm. "A Long Look Homeward", An exhibition presenting Tibet’s history and visions for its future through texts, photographs, videos and installations. is also at the BAS.
This is a huge honor for Buffalo, and it seems the arts and education communities have taken the challenge of celebrating this visit to heart. Buddist or not, the Dalai Lama has something that inspires. Check out an event or two (or many) and lift your spirit....

Starlight Studio Welcomes Jozeph Bajus

Starlight Studio and Art Gallery opens their season with "Jozeph Bajus and the Amazing Technicolor Fiber Installation" ; running from September 15- October 13, 2006.
Jozeph led the Starlight artists over the summer to create "Big Weavings", the fiber art project that had a home in front of the Asbury Church, 341 Delaware (across the street from Starlight).
His work will be exhibited in the gallery, and there will be a permanent weaving by Bajus created during the show.
The opening reception will be this Friday, September 15, 6-9.

Saturday, September 9th-so it begins....

Ah, the first weekend of the "art season"- the first weekend crammed with openings and happenings...
We first headed to the much anticipated Artspace Groundbreaking (pictures above). There was a relly nice spread by Globe Market, art being exhibited on the unfinished, raw walls (like my house), and spray paint available to adorn the exposed cinderblock wall. As I have been writing, this is the first major art development project that was conceived by an out of town developer-specializing in low cost work/living spaces for artists. Then, HGTV jumps in with a historic reuse grant. Let's face it, Buffalo makes out great in this deal. And there were many speakers, including our current mayor, Byron Brown,who all were applauding the project. Even Tony (I did this!) Masiello was there. Overall, the effect on the neighborhood, the city, and the arts community will be unprecedented. It's like I commented on Buffalo Pundit's blog on his Buffalo 2020 post yesterday-

You forgot- the Mid-Town Arts Corridor (Main Street between the Tri-Main and Allen) has housed and shown several internationally known artists from Buffalo. It is the #1 arts destination in the country (and world renowned). Artsy independent shops and cafes are packed, and the shuttle service from the corridor to the Albright and Buff State have gone 24/7 - students from all over the country want to get their higher education in art here.

Then to a few other Saturday activities- therapeutic horseback riding at Rivendell (post about the fundraiser coming up), dinner at Amy's, then off to the Buffalo Arts Studio for tonight's opening (see post below). What a great show! And the crowd that was there was pretty great as well. I'm used to seeing people at openings walk through the show, and then socialize near the bar and ths snack table. The crowd tonight, however, seemed to be congregating in the Kreepy Doll exhibit. These absolutely bizarre (and hilarious) beings were quite the center of conversation. Saw a lot of folks that I haven't seen in a while. Overall, a great evening. Seems that the arts were alive in this town tonight- heard many a comment about the Hallwalls video presentation and the Big Orbit opening. As I mentioned before, there was riding done today. One opening was all I could handle tonight. It's gonna be a good fall.....

September Weekend, Continued

Was just up at the Buffalo Arts Studio, as the finishing touches are getting added to the shows that will open tomorrow- "Valley of the Dolls" by Dan Baxter, Thu Tran and Jeffery Vincent, and "My Glorified Hobby" by Tom Holt.
"Valley of the Dolls" is really fun. In conversation with the studio director, Joanna Angie, the term "anti art" was used, and I think correctly so. Each doll has a price tag, much like they would be on display in a shop. But each doll has it's own, unique personality. Creativity and humor were definitely at work, making the display something that one could see again and again, and dicover new aspects each time.
Tom Holt's work was still being hung when I left, but I have the feeling that we'll see work from a young, talented artist, who's work exudes an urban feel.
The opening is tomorrow night, September 9, 7-10pm.

September Weekend

The formal groundbreaking for Artspace, Buffalo is tomorrow, September 9, 1-3. Good news for the arts community- serious investors from out of town have an idea of the worth of the arts in this town. Mayor Byron Brown will be there, and the shovels ( for the official act of "groundbreaking") will be painted by local artists. There is a great story about the event on BuffaloRising, as well as details on a previous post below.
Also mentioned below on a previous post, Maggie Parks and Kim Congi at the Nacc- opening tonight!

MS Art Lottery/Pre-Exhibit

If you know me, you'll know that this is near and dear to me (being an artist with MS). Unfortunately, I didn't have work ready by the deadline this year, but now I know the specs...

COME SUPPORT THE ARTISTS
WHO ARE SUPPORTING MS

MS Art Lottery Pre-Exhibit

Rockwell Hall - Foyer and Metcalfe Rooms
In conjunction with the
Burchfield-Penney Art Center

Saturday, October 7, 10am - 5pm
Sunday, October 8, 1pm - 5pm

Come preview the works of over 70 local artists. These pieces have been generously donated to the MS Art Lottery, an exclusive fundraiser scheduled to take place on October 22. Proceeds benefit YOUR local Chapter of the National MS Society.

Oils ~ Acrylics ~ Watercolors ~ Pottery ~ Sculptures ~ Jewelry ~ Photography

ADMISSION IS FREE!

Complimentary coffee and pastries provided by SPOT Coffee

All who attend will be entered into a drawing to win
a beautiful piece created and donated
by Jerry McGowan.

For more information, call 716-634-2261, ext. 18.

Secrets

"Secrets", an exhibition featuring Kim Congi and Maggie Parks, will show September 8- November 4th, at "The NACC". The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is located at 1201 Pine Avenue at Portage in Niagara Falls, New York.
Now, I haven't seen recent work, but have been acquainted with both gals for quite a while- each, extremely talented, have been sharing space at The NACC. I believe they will be showing work in pastels, and, having lived with Maggie for a while, I know that her work has been inspired by her visits to Ireland.
The opening will be next Friday, September 8, 5:30-8, and, personally, I think it will be a great start to an excellent gallery season. Watch this space- I've already got a stack of invites....