Burchfield-Penney Art Center Comes Alive
For the first time in over a hundred years, Buffalo has unveiled a brand new ($33,000,000, 84,000 sq.’) museum. Yesterday, hundreds of people met at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center to witness, not one, but three, ribbon cuttings. Fans and supporters were greeted by trumpeting didgeridoos as they walked into the vaulting entranceway – a walk that led them past the museum café, the gift shop, the learning center, a conference center, studios, gallery spaces, and more gallery spaces, until finally they ended up seated in the cavernous East Gallery.
The wow-factor at the unveiling was off the chart. Those people who saw the interior for the first time looked as if they had been unleashed into Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Come November 22nd, the public is going to be clamoring to experience firsthand the sights and the sounds of this ‘ten years in the making’ building. Between now and the 22nd, curators will be moving in more than 7500 original works by some of the regions leading artists. The centerpiece of those works will, of course, be the vast collection of paintings by Charles Burchfield.
It should be duly noted that the Gwathmey Siegel designed building is expected to be the first art museum in New York State to be LEED Certified. That is a major distinction and accomplishment for such a large-scope project. Every facet of the building is designed to be uber efficient, and green in every way. Don’t forget that this highly functional facility also boasts a 156 seat auditorium, a 2000 sq.’ upper terrace, an art conservation lab, a boardroom and offices, an archival library and study area, and will one day see an extension to the building’s exterior in the form of a sculpture court.
This is an exciting time for Buffalo State College and the entire museum district. The art center will be an incredible link between the public and the college – a mission that all college communities strive for, but not all accomplish.
The following is another description provided by a guest at the donor's gala, an event that took place the evening prior:
Attendees of the donor's gala at the new Burchfield-Penny Art Center were treated to dinner and music in the beautiful facility Thursday night. The rooms themselves are a tribute to the art they'll hold, with beautiful blonde maple flooring and soaring walls of white and grey.
The dedicated rooms have a smaller version of the shiny lettering on the face of the building, spelling out the names of those to whom they're dedicated. Raised white lettering on a wall off of the main hallway bears the name of other donors, and there is just enough glass added here and there in office spaces and conference rooms to give outside light and contrast to the now bare walls. It's exciting empty; it's going to be a thrill filled with art.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Give the people what they want.
I think that I would like to start off this post by commending the three Common Council members who were bold enough to ask for today's bizarre Waterfront Village decision to be tabled. David Franczyk, Mickey Kearns and Mike LoCurto all stuck to their guns when it came to holding off on making any hasty (and potentially tragic) decisions regarding our waterfront. Unfortunately, their headstrong stance was outweighed by the rest of the BURA committee, and the rumors are flying as t … - Yesterday, 7:52pm
- Continue Reading
- 38 Comments
-
Village Getting an Inn
A development team has been selected for a vacant commercial site in Waterfront Village. Finally. The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency this morning named Specialty Restaurants Incorporation as preferred developer for the prime 1.4 acre parcel at 10-15 LaRiviere Drive. The owner of the adjacent Shanghai Red’s restaurant is proposing an uninspired, four-story, 100 room Wingate Inn.- Yesterday, 1:36pm
- Continue Reading
- 115 Comments
-
New Blog Dedicated To Buffalo's Manufacturing Past
Blog culture is becoming more and more respectable with each passing day. Though it remains a profession where it can be hard to earn a living, it is still a way for amateurs to spread their opinions and share with their readers specific interests. Chris Hawley has taken his passion and created a blog with it dedicated to the Hydraulics. The Hydraulics is Buffalo’s oldest manufacturing district and Hawley wants to uncover everything about this industrial site, from the people, t … - Yesterday, 7:05am
- Continue Reading
- 12 Comments
-
Mickey Mouse Gets Older But Stays Ageless
It’s hard to believe it, but my grandmother is only slightly older than Mickey Mouse. She would have been just four years old when Mickey came to life for the first time on November 18, 1928 in Steamboat Willie. His first film had no sound, was black and white, and premiered in New York City, but from a humble beginning, the singing, dancing mouse has gone on to literally change the face of the world and cartoons as we know them.
It’s not every day you turn 80 and though he†… - Yesterday, 7:05am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
scandy
I love the fact that land from the underutilized Psych center property has been bought and used for something amazing.... Ideally the next positive step is to do the same with the corner at forest and elmwood? There is plenty of space to take down that fence and work around the single structure in the background.... I have Been looki ng at this space and there is enough room for a medium size scale project, either a boutique as once discussed on the opposite corner or a mix used residential and commercial.... Can anyone tell me if the property can be purchased? I would love to hear some smart feedback
Report this
Bizzles
I'm sorry but I'm still not impressed. Maybe it's just completely differerent in person, but I've seen nothing that tells me this isn't one of Gwathmey Siegel's biggest flops. Very bland and uninspiring space that looks like a throwback to a 1960's state office building. And let's not get started on the exterior...
Report this
phrank
It's really difficult to properly assess a gallery before there's any art in it! Without art, you're bound to see a lot of plain white walls. I know some have complained that there aren't any windows, but it's an art gallery!
Imagine if the Albright (original 1900s part) was proposed today? There would be comments that it should be built closer the street with retail on the ground floor. And the white marble clashes with the Medina sandstone of the Richardson building across the street. And the Knox addition? I think there are still people who haven't accepted the modern exterior.
My point is, you have to judge a museum first and foremost on how it allows for the display of art.
Report this
chrishawley
The interior is a fine tribute to the Main Place Mall.
Report this
BuffaloBloviator
It looks successful and many hard working well intentioned people obviously deserve credit for successfully completing the project and doing a great job.
I hate to rain on this parade because many well intentioned people do deserve credit for accomplishing this but what frustrates me about this project is that it drew several tens of millions of dollars out of the one hundred million dollar fund that was originally intended for the H.H.Richardson preservation and restoration.
Not only did the project bleed the H.H.Richardson restoration but it actually displaced mature surviving Omstead designed park land that is important to the H.H. Richardson complex.
It also blocks the view of the H.H.Richardson complex.
Another thing that disturbs me about this project is that it is part of the movement to displace classic art with modern art. I like modern art and I believe that many pieces are the result of great genius. The rest are frauds and pawns in a giant perverse chess game to tear down and/or displace our cultural history. I am just expressing my opinion here because I believe that all opinions should be heard and respected. But then I believe and practice actual tolerance -unlike some zealots who pounce with personal attacks upon individuals who dare to express themselves on these matters. I would like to see a balance of art rather than a wholesale displacement. Did you ever notice how art has become "installations" that are huge and displace more and more space? Now all the classic art is either stored in the basement or has been sold at auction by the Albright-Knox.
And lastly, and this is strictly my own personal taste, I am very hard to please when it comes to modern architecture. It most often does not stand the test of time and becomes a mocking temple to those who signed off on it. Why is it that architects have become like hair stylists that can't resist doing shocking wild experiments with other people's hair-cuts? They are real brave when its your head and not theirs.
Being a positive person by nature I will do my best to appreciate the new building design and aquire a taste for it. Since it is a done deal I truly would like to see the building enjoyed and used successfully for good purposes. Maybe then it won't look like a big round windowless wall and remind me of the giant tanks at the treatment plant. At least those treatment plants perform a utilitarian task that I greatly appreciate. I guess I just have trouble coming to terms with the giant $30,000,000 asset being constructed with my tax dollars to promote a cultural movement that I don't particularly subscribe to.
Report this
PaulBuffalo
BuffaloBloviator, I'm not aware that the Burchfield-Penney has sold off any of their older pieces in favor of more modern art. If true, could you provide more details?
Regarding the interior, Chrishawley said it best. With that said, I do look forward to visiting and I hope I will see more pieces on display.
Report this
BuffaloBloviator
Hi Paul,
I'm not aware of that either. You are correct in that I was referring to the Albright-Knox controversy of last year.
I too look forward to visiting and having some nice times there.
BB
Report this
Siafu
Bloviator is, as usual, right on! Although calling it an "Asset" is a bit of a stretch. The libs love to waste my money trying to infuse me with their "culture". I won't go to the new gallery and I try to stay far away from Libwood Ave. for fear that I will lose my American sensibilities. The (deleted) will love their new monument to the ongoing orgy of spending in Albany. They won't stop until our once great state of NY is reduced to a quivering hush of its former self. Way to go libs.
Report this
eliz
Well, I guess you to be there. But when more people actually visit the place, I think they'll see that these gallery spaces are really quite wonderful and suited to a wide range of traditional exhibitions as well as installations. It is one of the most thoughtfully-designed museum interiors I have ever seen, and I've visited many. These photos are nice but they don't really tell the story.
And I love the reception areas. There are going to be a lot of fun times here, and that's the way it should be.
Report this
eliz
oops, left out "had"-had to be there
Report this
Colin
Siafu,
(deleted), Elmwood is unamerican -- got it! Congratulations on your stupidity.
Report this
hamp
I'm not sure how you could say this is like Main Place Mall. The interior looks quite beautiful.
Still, I'm looking forward to a sculpture garden on Elmwood to mitigate the awful facade.
Report this
impressingagent
Sia. unfounatly your atempt for orgionality stops and starts with the assembly line. You can pretend that politics is the greatest extention of the mind and spirit. Art does not represent this kind of controled delusion. Is not your news channel its own art gallery?
This building will help educate the public. History values art so perhaps you just need better friends. I hate art just as much as you, the diffrence between you and me is that i waist my time thinking about it. I don't make any money on it but at least i can restore some of my will because some old rich drug dealer decided to build a building. no animals where hurt in the process.
Report this
fredrico
I think it's a horrible ugly building. Here we have the architecturally stunning Psychiatric Center buildings - and then they put this completely inartistic, boring, lug of a building next to it? Looks horrible and completely out of place with it's surroundings in all directions.
Report this
xanbuf
It is such a great space and dedicated to wny art! Some accurate information: the property wasn't sold - ownership didn't change, it's still state property and the state -buffalo state collage- owns the building; this wasn't 30million of state money, private paid for about 75% of the project; HH Project is still on track - Sam Hoyt in his own words yesterday said he helped "manipulate" the funds for the BP center to benefit from these funds; HH Richardson rehabilitation is asking the community on how we want to use the remaining property (go to their public meetings!). The "museum district" is part of this now that there are plans for a tourist center in the towers, where then people can WALK to these venues! You can walk from the Main place mall and see for yourself what an impact this place will have on this corner! Congrats Buffalo for actually finishing a great project!
Report this
scandy
I love the fact that land from the underutilized Psych center property has been bought and used for something amazing.... Ideally the next positive step is to do the same with the corner at forest and elmwood? There is plenty of space to take down that fence and work around the single structure in the background.... I have Been looki ng at this space and there is enough room for a medium size scale project, either a boutique as once discussed on the opposite corner or a mix used residential and commercial.... Can anyone tell me if the property can be purchased? I would love to hear some smart feedback
Report this
scandy
I love the fact that land from the underutilized Psych center property has been bought and used for something amazing.... Ideally the next positive step is to do the same with the corner at forest and elmwood? There is plenty of space to take down that fence and work around the single structure in the background.... I have Been looki ng at this space and there is enough room for a medium size scale project, either a boutique as once discussed on the opposite corner or a mix used residential and commercial.... Can anyone tell me if the property can be purchased? I would love to hear some smart feedback
Report this
EricOak
Queenseyes,
I doubt you'll answer but here goes:
1. Do you really think that the BP got the very best possible design with this project, one that at least strives to match the grandeur of the buildings and land around it? Do you think this building will become a lasting icon for Buffalo arcitecture? Sure, it's a museum and the interior is important, but its public presence is also critical.
2. Can you honestly say that the BP gracefully and diplomatically handled the process of informing the public and the EVA of this major project's design? The BP could have helped the out-of-town architects absorb some sense of what the community (which has largely paid for this building) would like to see at the gateway to their healthiest commercial, artistic, and historic residential area. They declined...and arrogantly. Ask Justin at EVA to describe the level of courtesy and civic diplomacy he was shown.
3. Do you think the public face of this building is a significant departure or improvement over the Gwathmey Siegel wreckage at the University at Buffalo's North campus?
I'd love to be a convert to your championing of this project, but I need a stronger argument than the cliches I keep reading here. I'm glad to see a new building, and I applaud the hard work that went into expanding the BP, but the project was poorly handled and Buffalo has yet another second-rate building it doesn't deserve. That strategy of just "making-do," of getting something "good enough" is what's dishonoring Buffalo's architectural legacy. It's the rusty, closed-door way of doing things here that has hurt so much developemnt in the past 50 years. I cannot understand why you continue to cheer that kind of mediocre vision.
Report this
wingking
The building is stunning. A great deal of thought went into it's design, not just form, but mechanical functions. It will house multiple shows - all changing a different intervals, so the exhibits will always be fresh. And it's not just art. The auditorium and performance rooms are unique to the area. The meeting room offers a spectacular view of the Richardsdon. The art restoration will be one of the best facilities in the country. Sorry if the building blocks the view of the psych center, but hold your thoughts until you are on the 2nd floor terrace overlooking the Albright-Knox. Sorry to disappoint some of you - but it's a jewel. One of the best signs of the city's resurgence.
Report this
buffaloweiner
The saddest thing about the Buffalo art community is that it places no interest or value on art from antiquities, classical art and pre-modern period art and its related architecture.
The original section of the Albright Knox has one of the best Beaux Arts buildings in the nation yet will not display any of its "antiquities, classical art and pre-modern period art and its related architecture"...infact its decommissioning it.
Im not hateful of contemporary or modern art. I certainly have some favorite artists, art works and architects while I find controversial / hyped art to be mere excuses for talentless artists to disguise their lack thereof.
My issue is just that there is no champion in the arts community for "antiquities, classical art and pre-modern period art and its related architecture."
Because there is no local champion....the art community alienates itself as serving their peer elits in other cities to which they may be job hunting....rather than the community their serving.
We do not have an art community where everyone in the community can find art that they can appreciate it (especially if its not modern or contemporary).
(we can find diversity in music here, we can find diversity in literature here but not art and suprisingly...we can find diversity in architecture here only (99%)in our previous golden age...none of our developers can embrace periodic styles of architecture nor can they embrace to truly modern)
The B-P looks great on the inside...but to me the exterior is merely an updated 1990s version of 1970s brutalism. Now I can appreciate it for what it is...I think the criticism of it has merit....but it troubles me that we label new development to rave review simply because its new and not because it truly contributes to first rate architectural diversity.
To often because of Buffalos wide spread poverty we get 2nd class designs that are little more than updates to decades old pre-existing designs with 2nd class materials.
Never-the-less....our B-P has given birth to a new building and we must make it fit.
Report this
hamp
In today's News Muriel Howard suggests that an art museum can't have windows.
The sad truth is that this museum DOES have windows. There just aren't any that face Elmwood.
Report this
Bufago
I wish the ex-psyc patients would stop posting. WTF are they going to actually hang in that big white space B., peices will NOT fit in.
Report this
winkandthegun
I think it's awesome that it looks like a fortress. A fortress of new ideas and innovation.
Let's applaud a major step towards expanding Buffalo's art scene, not whine about being unable to see the art from the street.
Nobody complained when it was a big wall with "Go Sabres" written on it...
Report this
buffaloweiner
hamp, well thats HOWARD for you...(deleted)
winkandthegun, you know every museum has a gift shop and some have cafes...how hard would it have been to have a gift shop and cafe facing Elmwood with alittle glass? It would have silenced about 75% of the (does nothing for Elmwood crowd).
but hey now that the Burchfield Penny is here and the Richardson is on its way, can we now focus on getting the Psych Center (OMH) moved out!
Report this
hamp
The sad think is that MANY people complained about the design when there was still time to change things.
The College did nothing, except promise a sculpture garden in front.
I don't know what the status of the sculpture garden is.
Report this
winkandthegun
Because then you would just see a store and a coffee bar, would that be any better?
Report this
Siafu
Just what Libwood needs, another hangout for the malcontents to sip overpriced coffee and pose. I suggest getting out there and working. Join the armed forces or something meaningful instead of just indulging yourselves in the civic wretched excesses that my tax dollars pay for.
I wonder if there is a little room dedicated to Sam Hoyt in there where he can bang interns when he's not busy dreaming up pork-laden legislation. It would be a fitting perk.
Report this
Siafu
Just what Libwood needs, another hangout for the malcontents to sip overpriced coffee and pose. I suggest getting out there and working. Join the armed forces or something meaningful instead of just indulging yourselves in the civic wretched excesses that my tax dollars pay for.
I wonder if there is a little room dedicated to Sam Hoyt in there where he can bang interns when he's not busy dreaming up pork-laden legislation. It would be a fitting perk.
Report this
impressingagent
interesting statements. they seem to be the anti thesis for love.
Report this
jamesbflo
i think it looks neat
Report this
scooter
I'm going to reserve judgement for the finished product.
What will Buff State do with the newly freed up space?
Report this
pgf1948
I get my car tires rotated in a more interesting building than this.
Report this
sally
First new museum in 100 years? Sorry not true - Naval Museum just built new building last year, transportation museum less than 100 years old, as is the Karpales Museum, heck even the museum of science building is less than 100 years old. How can such crap journalism be taken seriously if they cannot even get the most simple facts correct.
Report this