The anniversary celebration at 464 Gallery brings many local evolving artists and art lovers back to their roots. This gallery’s history has run parallel to that of the city itself, starting with a deteriorating space that transformed into a thriving center of Rust Belt culture, thanks to the talents of a handful of bold creative types that has evolved into an ever-expanding circle.
Gallery owner Marcus Wise and his artist entourage will be gathering to celebrate another year of growth and artistic achievement. We drive past Chuck Tingley and Ogre’s original murals and Max Collins’ wheat paste masterpieces adorning the walls of buildings thorough the city. We’ve walked beneath Marissa Lehner’s unique luminaries nested in the trees of Allen Street. Thousands of us visited the City of Night event at Silo City that Dana Saylor spearheaded. And we’ve seen the work of numerous artists who started their journey at 464 and made their way into galleries throughout our city and beyond.
On Friday, Feb. 14, the gallery will celebrate its fifth anniversary with “eVolution,” by showcasing the work of ten artists who made their first steps onto the Buffalo arts scene at 464. The first DJ to ever perform at the gallery – AVDJ PROJEX – will also be spinning upstairs at Studio 464. The night will feature a two-floor party with music, interactive art installations, Lloyd Taco truck, drinks and fresh artwork exploring the “evolution” theme by these 10 once emerging, now evolving artists:
This anniversary celebrates many accomplishments for 464, including hosting 275 art exhibitions, parties, fundraisers, and events for local and emerging artists and students. The gallery has won several awards and has brought exposure to more than 750 local artists.
Following the theme of evolution, 464 is announcing its new mission to become an inclusive gallery space, inviting not only emerging and evolving Buffalo artists to exhibit there, but also bringing in new talent from other cities and abroad. The gallery is currently lining up artistic talent from Pittsburgh, Hamilton, Rochester, and even Italy.
In keeping with tradition, the party will include the annual “What’s in Your Heart” interactive exhibit which debuted at 464’s grand opening in 2009. Each visitor to the event is welcome to cut out a paper heart and write whatever they love on it. The hearts will be hung in the gallery window for the duration of the exhibit.
The celebration runs from 6-11:30 p.m. at 464 Amherst Street, Buffalo and is free and open to the public. The eVolution exhibit will stay on view through Feb. 24, 2014. For more info, visit the Facebook event page.