Conversation with Tiffany Gaines, curator, and Valeria Cray, Artist, Surface Tension is now on view at The Burchfield Penney Art Museum

WNY Soundstage

Conversation with Tiffany Gaines, curator, and Valeria Cray, Artist, Surface Tension is now on view at The Burchfield Penney Art Museum

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On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Tiffany Gaines, curator at The Burchfield Penney Art Museum, and Valeria Cray, whose exhibition Surface Tension is now on view until September 27, 2026.

Valeria Cray is a sculptor and public artist, a longtime Buffalo resident, and has been widely celebrated and recognized in the community. Her public artworks have become landmarks throughout the city, including the Tops Unity Memorial at the Jefferson Avenue Tops. Valeria Cray: Surface Tension presents sculptures, drawings, and models of public projects spanning the artist’s career of over 50 years. 

The interview with Tiffany Gaines includes:  

• A description of The Burchfield Penney
• The Burchfield Penney’s connection to Western New York
• A discussion of the exhibition Valeria Cray: Surface Tension
• How the title finds its way through the exhibition
• Visitors’ reactions to the work

The interview with Valeria Cray includes:

• The impact and inspiration of spiritual practice 
• The identities of artist, educator, and activist and how they inform each other
• Early inspirations 
• How artistic process has changed over time
• The metaphor of folding
• Funding of the arts