If you are an artist in the Buffalo area or would like to both look at others' art and develop your own, then don't miss the opening of a new Amherst Street art gallery on May 7. Marcus L. Wise, a local photographer and the owner of 464 Gallery, announced a new gallery, Blink, which will open right next door at 466.
According to Wise, Blink will feature the work of both local and non-local artists, which will allow him to branch out from his previous tradition of showcasing only local artwork. Wise spoke about challenges that he has faced and what he has learned and been able to accomplish as a photographer while running 464.
For Wise, there are rewards and challenges as a result of featuring only work from the Buffalo area. When asked if he faces any specific challenges while running the art gallery, Wise responded in the affirmative, and said that opening Blink is a way to solve this possible issue while still being able to showcase local talent.
"Absolutely, it can sometimes restrict the artists that I can feature here, and it can also limit me from taking some cool merchandise from out-of-towners," Wise said. "To deal with this, I am opening a new gallery...which will allow me a little more flexibility in terms of local vs. non-local, allowing me to widen the scope of art and artists that can participate in the up and coming Amherst Street Arts scene."
However, Wise also acknowledged that since Buffalo has a strong art tradition, it is easy to find local talent and continue to give up-and-coming artists in Buffalo a chance to showcase their work. Even though he has decided to branch out into non-local art with Blink, this was more out of a desire to grow rather than actual need.
"That being said, there is such a wealth of great artists and creatives here in Buffalo, that I have yet to have a strong need to look elsewhere."
Wise also discussed how running 464 and continuing to work as a photographer has helped him to grow as an artist and given him more experience in the field. In his experience, being a local art gallery means that he has been able to interact with the same people and get to know the artists whose work he showcases.
"This is one of the ways in which being a local gallery, and working with primarily emerging artists, has really worked in my personal favor...I get to share in their development experience, and in helping them to advance, I get to see so many different sides of the story - I get to learn through their victories as well as their misses," he said.
Wise also said that he has collaborated with the Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo group to begin Art Lab, a multi-disciplinary arts critique group that meets once a month. He emphasized that Art Lab has let artists from many walks of life discuss their work and help each other in a "in a safe, fun and educational setting that really allows all of to share in each others collective consciousness as artists."
According to Wise, he has received positive feedback from artists about the space that 464 Gallery offers for them to work in. Although he said that 464 "isn't exactly a co-op space," it does allow artists to feel at home while they are working and as though they are part of the process of collectively creating art for display.
In the future, Wise said that in addition to opening Blink, he plans to continue making 464 a "hub" for artists to grow and develop their work, by both hosting events for them and directly providing resources for their benefit and education.
"I am also always excited to book more student shows, and host fundraisers and events that bring attention to local organizations in need," Wise said. "I am always open to collaborations and new off the wall ideas for fun events that continue to raise the profile of the arts and artists in the WNY community."
As far as the immediate community around 464, Wise said that the gallery has contributed to Amherst Street by attracting businesses and prospective tenants, especially students and artists, to the immediate vicinity. On the topic of students, Wise also said that the resources that 464 offers art students might not be as readily available from area colleges, especially related to marketing one's artwork.
"More comprehensively, I think that 464 adds to the rich depth of the arts community that already exists. I am just glad to be a part of a community that I take a great deal of pride in, both as a business owner and as an artist," Wise said.
If you would like to find out what other upcoming events the 464 Gallery has to offer, visit the Gallery's events page. For more information about the upcoming opening of Blink Gallery or anything else concerning 464, visit their website, call 716.983.2112, or send an email. To see Marcus L. Wise's work, visit his personal site.
View image
According to Wise, Blink will feature the work of both local and non-local artists, which will allow him to branch out from his previous tradition of showcasing only local artwork. Wise spoke about challenges that he has faced and what he has learned and been able to accomplish as a photographer while running 464.
For Wise, there are rewards and challenges as a result of featuring only work from the Buffalo area. When asked if he faces any specific challenges while running the art gallery, Wise responded in the affirmative, and said that opening Blink is a way to solve this possible issue while still being able to showcase local talent.
"Absolutely, it can sometimes restrict the artists that I can feature here, and it can also limit me from taking some cool merchandise from out-of-towners," Wise said. "To deal with this, I am opening a new gallery...which will allow me a little more flexibility in terms of local vs. non-local, allowing me to widen the scope of art and artists that can participate in the up and coming Amherst Street Arts scene."
However, Wise also acknowledged that since Buffalo has a strong art tradition, it is easy to find local talent and continue to give up-and-coming artists in Buffalo a chance to showcase their work. Even though he has decided to branch out into non-local art with Blink, this was more out of a desire to grow rather than actual need.
"That being said, there is such a wealth of great artists and creatives here in Buffalo, that I have yet to have a strong need to look elsewhere."
Wise also discussed how running 464 and continuing to work as a photographer has helped him to grow as an artist and given him more experience in the field. In his experience, being a local art gallery means that he has been able to interact with the same people and get to know the artists whose work he showcases.
"This is one of the ways in which being a local gallery, and working with primarily emerging artists, has really worked in my personal favor...I get to share in their development experience, and in helping them to advance, I get to see so many different sides of the story - I get to learn through their victories as well as their misses," he said.
Wise also said that he has collaborated with the Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo group to begin Art Lab, a multi-disciplinary arts critique group that meets once a month. He emphasized that Art Lab has let artists from many walks of life discuss their work and help each other in a "in a safe, fun and educational setting that really allows all of to share in each others collective consciousness as artists."
According to Wise, he has received positive feedback from artists about the space that 464 Gallery offers for them to work in. Although he said that 464 "isn't exactly a co-op space," it does allow artists to feel at home while they are working and as though they are part of the process of collectively creating art for display.
In the future, Wise said that in addition to opening Blink, he plans to continue making 464 a "hub" for artists to grow and develop their work, by both hosting events for them and directly providing resources for their benefit and education.
"I am also always excited to book more student shows, and host fundraisers and events that bring attention to local organizations in need," Wise said. "I am always open to collaborations and new off the wall ideas for fun events that continue to raise the profile of the arts and artists in the WNY community."
As far as the immediate community around 464, Wise said that the gallery has contributed to Amherst Street by attracting businesses and prospective tenants, especially students and artists, to the immediate vicinity. On the topic of students, Wise also said that the resources that 464 offers art students might not be as readily available from area colleges, especially related to marketing one's artwork.
"More comprehensively, I think that 464 adds to the rich depth of the arts community that already exists. I am just glad to be a part of a community that I take a great deal of pride in, both as a business owner and as an artist," Wise said.
If you would like to find out what other upcoming events the 464 Gallery has to offer, visit the Gallery's events page. For more information about the upcoming opening of Blink Gallery or anything else concerning 464, visit their website, call 716.983.2112, or send an email. To see Marcus L. Wise's work, visit his personal site.
Black Rock is starting to develop as an alternative to Elmwood or Allentown. Low rents, convenient location, and good neighbors all combine to make this the new place to be.