Valeria Cray: Surface Tension

Exhibition Opening at the Burchfield Penney Art Center
M&T Second Friday, April 10, 2026

BUFFALO, NY — At the heart of Valeria Cray’s practice as a sculptor, public artist, educator, and activist lies her profound belief in art’s power to uplift and connect to the soul. A deeply spiritual woman, she creates organic, free-form sculptures that embody duality and embrace the inherent frictions that define human experience. Valeria Cray: Surface Tension presents sculptures, drawings, and models of public projects spanning the artist’s career of over 50 years.

“From intimate studio sculptures to landmark public works across Buffalo Cray's art is deeply woven into the life of our community,” writes curator Tiffany Gaines. “Many fabricated in collaboration with her son and fellow artist, Hiram Cray, her notable public sculptures include the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor archway, the Spirit of Life Tree in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and the exterior doors of the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. branch library. Most recently, she created the Unity sculpture at Tops on Jefferson Ave., as part of the 5/14 Tops Honor Space. While each piece is distinct in form and concept, a collective spirit of healing, cultural significance, and community resonates deeply.”

Burchfield Penney Members & Friends are invited to preview Valeria Cray: Surface Tension on Thursday, April 9th from 5:30pm — 7:00pm. Not yet a member? Join today!

Valeria Cray: Surface Tension will open to the public on M&T Second Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The evening will also feature live jazz by Alex McArthur, as well as Poetically Speaking—a film screening and panel discussion with Buffalo Poet Laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke—held in the Tower Auditorium. The exhibition will remain on view in the Wendt & Doolittle Galleries through September 27, 2026.

SUPPORT FOR VALERIA CRAY: SURFACE TENSION

Valeria Cray: Surface Tension is presented through generous support from Delaware North, James & Dorothy Pappas, and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge an Anonymous Donor for their leadership giving as well as additional support from Hodgson Russ LLP. And, as always, none of what we do would be possible without the continued generosity of our Burchfield Penney members.

ABOUT THE BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER

Established in 1966 on the campus of SUNY Buffalo State University, the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s mission is to cultivate and elevate the work of Charles E. Burchfield and Western New York artists. 

The Burchfield Penney Art Center’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Burchfield Penney receives generous public support from SUNY Buffalo State University, Erie County, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the City of Buffalo. Private support is provided by The Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation, the Cullen Foundation, the Charles E. Burchfield Foundation, M&T Bank, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, the Joy Family Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Designated Inclusive Arts and Culture Organizations Endowment Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Inc., Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation, the James Carey Evans Endowment, and many additional individuals, corporations, foundations, and Burchfield Penney members. The Burchfield Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Julia Norris
Director of Communications
716-878-3457
norrisjl[at]buffalostate.edu