PERFECT SETTINGS 2008

Where
280 Pine Ridge Road, Cheektowaga, N.Y.

To date, major partners include Niagara Ceramics and Lamar Outdoor Advertising. If you would like to be a table designer, sponsor, volunteer, or if your arts organization would like to be involved, contact the Arts Council at 856-7520.

Perfect Settings is sponsored by:

DEC Application 2008 - 2009
Application Deadline - Friday, October 24

DEC Program Purpose

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) established the Decentralization Program (DEC) in 1978 following the mandate of the state Legislature to encourage increased participation at the local level in the state’s cultural funding process. The purpose of the DEC program is to foster the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to community cultural needs. DEC support enables emerging artists and organizations to grow professionally and to enhance the cultural climate in communities and neighborhoods where they live and operate. The DEC program helps to ensure access to the arts and culture to the citizens in each of the 62 counties of New York State, especially to areas that are geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged or ethnically diverse.

To download the DEC application form, Click Here.

Various Views
Market Arcade Building, 3rd floor Passageway Gallery, 617 Main Street
From Friday, September 19, 2008
To Friday, October 31, 2008

Area Artists Offer Various Views at Curtain Up!

The Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County announces the opening of "Various Views": images created by artists Lukia Costello, Richard Christian, and False Hope Photo team Alex Enser and Christopher Franklin.

The exhibition opens to coincide with Curtain Up! festivities Friday, September 19th at the Market Arcade Building and will show on the third floor Passageway Gallery at 617 Main Street in Buffalo’s downtown Theater District.

The work of each of these artists is distinct from one another in myriad ways, but the unique perspectives and geometric beauty as well as their provocative qualities makes them interesting exhibition collaborators.

Costello is well-known and awarded for her ability to explode organic matter through her lens and even make the inorganic seem alive – but, even then a certain unmistakable structure is ever present in her work.

Photograhers Alex Enser and Christopher Franklin are relative newcomers to the area arts scene, but their work has maturity and expression well beyond their years. Their world view of found beauty in decay and their way of interpreting those “finds” is carving out an unmistakable recognition of their work that is bound to distinguish them and move them into a category unto itself and perpetuate provocative thinking by all viewers.

Richard Christian provides the bold brushstrokes in this exhibition. A newcomer to Buffalo, Christian is not a rookie when it comes to creating substantial works of art. An instructor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Christian’s work evokes the startling contrasts of all three artists in the show, but certainly is powerful enough to hold them together.

The public is invited to the opening night reception on Friday, September 19th beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Passageway Gallery located on the third floor of the Market Arcade building.

For more information, please contact The Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County at (716) 856-7520.

NYFA SOS Grant
Application Deadline - Thursday, September 25

NYFA SOS (Strategic Opportunity Stipends) are designed to assist artists of every discipline take advantage of a unique opportunity that will clearly advance or encourage their professional development as an individual artist. Opportunities cannot be of the artist's own initiation, but extend from the broader field of art and culture. See application for guidelines.

Click here to Download and Apply for the SOS Grant. To learn more about the SOS Grant, please visit the NYFA.

3rd Annual National Arts Foundation Exhibition Application Deadline - Friday, September 26

Attention All City of Buffalo Employees!

Share your artistic talent in a wonderful exhibition opportunity for you or a member of your family in the 3rd Annual National Arts Foundation Exhibition taking place in Buffalo City Hall!

There are cash prizes in all categories – from adult professional to young people under 12 years old. This is a time for you or your loved one to shine!

Please submit your artistic entries NO LATER than Friday, September 26th to room 2401 City Hall, office of the Buffalo Arts Commission. The awards ceremony takes place on October 8, 2008 when Mayor Byron Brown, the National Arts Program Foundation, the Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County and the City of Buffalo Arts Commission will present more than $2000 in cash prizes to participating artists.

But more importantly, here is a fantastic opportunity to show the world what creative and talented people are part of the City’s workforce, or is a family member of one our very important municipal employees!

Entry forms and brochures that outline the rules of entry are available both on the online and throughout offices in City Hall and in room 2401.

Download Entry forms and brochures that outline the rules of entry here!

Don’t miss this opportunity to show your talent!

National Arts Program - Best of Show

Artist Raylena Cunningham shows off her winning entry to Arts Council Executive Director Celeste Lawson and Mayor Byron W. Brown in City Hall.

Click here to read the Article