Buffalo Rising Online

Apr 25th 2008, 9:57am By Eli George

Saying BRO has covered a lot about Artspace is an understatement. Queenseyes was covering this story as early as September 2005. It has had numerous updates since then, from when they started taking applications from potential occupants to their search for commercial tenants. Not to mention the gazillion updates on their progress along the way. All of that has finally reached it’s culmination. Friday, May 2nd, is “Unpacking Artspace,” which will be their opening reception and first resident-artist exhibition.

The building was completed in early 2008 and the artists have wasted no time getting comfortable. The exhibition will feature 36 artists who vary in age, experience, what they do, where their art has been shown, etc. Of course that means what will be seen at the exhibition is just as wide a variety, from sculpture to paintings to video to photography and much more.

Joanna Gillespie, an Artspace resident who makes a living curating shows and managing art collections, says that Artspace gave the residents an enormous space. "They just say "organize and figure it out," says Gillespie. The gallery space for the exhibition includes the outer and inner lobby, some space in the basement, and some outdoor space as well. Gillespie adds, "and some people will be submitting more than one work because we have the space."

The dancing, fire dancing, and couple musicians who will perform will only be available the opening night. However, all of the stationary items will be able to be seen during their open gallery hours on Saturdays or by appointment Wednesday through Friday. Gillespie explains that in order to have a curator for the open gallery or appointment hours, the artists used a sign-up sheet to take two and a half hour time slots. "Everyone here has at least one job, so we're all trying to do our best," says Gillespie.

The following artists have some kind of display or performance for the opening reception: Kate Bae, Amanda Beale, Malcolm Bonney, Kristin Renée Brandt, Shondra Cabrera, Tanya Chutko, Lukia Costello, Timothy Englert, Eric Louis Dates, Janice Davis, Hans Gindlesberger, Adrian H. Guadalpe, Selina Holman, Soyeon Jung, Brian Kavanaugh, Kyla Avery Kegler, Paul Kozlowski, Gregory Lawson, Joel Lewitzky, Justin Lowe, Isabella Luciano, Nathan W. Naetzker, Tim Newell, Kelly Metcalfe, Erika Mitchell, Renee Oubre, Atticus Pamer, Michele Pamer, Alex Park, Katie Sallander, Patricia Schraven, Katie Sehr, Altamese Steadman, Thomas Stender, and Alex Young.

The exhibition will be on view starting May 2nd from 6:30-9:30pm, but will run until June 14th. You can visit the gallery on Saturdays from 12-5pm or by appointment on Wednesdays – Fridays from 10am – 6pm. You can call 803-6205 or e-mail info@artspacebuffalo.net to schedule an appointment.