When speaking about Buffalo Arts Studio, Curator Shirley Verrico frequently invokes the idea of community. The celebration of Buffalo Arts Studio’s twenty-fifth anniversary has been ongoing with a variety of events, most notably with the upcoming art auction CollectX25: An Art Affair and Auction for All, happening on Saturday March 25. The auction is a chance to not only celebrate Buffalo Arts Studio, but to re-connect with former resident artists, experience the innovative artwork of the current generation of residents, and take home a fantastic piece of art by the auction’s end.
The auction is comprised of 90 works of art, ranging from heavy-hitters like Harvey Breverman and Alberto Rey, to the emerging-set containing the likes of Julia Douglas and Patrick Foran, and even lesser-known artists of untraditional backgrounds. The art auction and exhibit was curated between Verrico, Buffalo Arts Studio Founder Joanna Angie, and longtime resident artist and luminary Kathleen Sherin, who’s collective mission was to cast a wide net in selecting artists to represent the past, present, future and deeply-rooted community that supports Buffalo Arts Studio.
It’s important to note that an event such as CollectX25 is something that falls outside of the normal fundraising of Buffalo Arts Studio, with the last art auction taking place 15 years ago. As an institution which has long supported artists at each stage in their career, the participating artists are invited to do a 50/50 split with the sale of their respective pieces. The auction also seeks to be price conscious to the attendees, with auction prices ranging from $50 at the outset to thousands of dollars, so that attendees of varied economic strata can each connect with a piece of art, while also supporting Buffalo Arts Studio.
CollectX25 represents the bringing together of a number of threads which characterize the tapestry of Buffalo Arts Studio – from artists as activists, teaching artists, resident artists and external artists – whose support has proven essential to the continued colorful existence of the institution. Verrico speaks warmly, and at length about her time with Buffalo Arts Studio, in everything from offering advice to the up-and-coming painter Muhammad Zaman to making soup for a worn-down Scotty Bye with his recent exhibit in the space. It is this warmth, echoed by every staff member and every artist who has passed through its halls, which continues to aid the organization into its 25th year, and will continue to move it forward in the many years to come.
CollectX25: An Art Affair and Auction for All will be taking place at Buffalo Arts Studio within the Tri-Main Center (2495 Main Street, Suite 500) on Saturday March 25 from 7-10pm. This is a ticketed event; tickets can be purchased through the Buffalo Arts Studio website and their Facebook page.