New York Collects Buffalo State

New York Collects Buffalo State was the Burchfield-Penney Art Center’s most complex collaboration ever initiated with the Art Education Department of Buffalo State College. This ground-breaking exhibition illustrated a legacy of artists who were nurtured at our college, although it represented only the tip of the iceberg of their achievements. In 2004, Buffalo State College had the largest visual arts program in New York State, with three active departments in Fine Arts, Design, and Art Education. The exhibition celebrated the achievements of alumni artists with more than 170 works by 93 artists who were selected from more than 10,000 alumni of the college’s visual arts programs. More than 100 lenders participated.

            Over a year's time, Assistant Professor Diane Koeppel led a team of graduate students from the Art Education Department in curating the exhibition, teaching them about museum issues as they developed the project together. Most of the students were full-time teachers who are acquiring an appreciation of the art world that they shared with their young pupils. They worked as curatorial assistants, researchers, designers, model builders, and educators. Student participants included Beth Aschbacher, Mary Ellen Bossert, Mary Ann Boyles, Andrew Dulak, Tracy Fitzery, Summer Galarneau, Susan Geerkin, Scott Gruenauer, Helen Louise Hodge, Jaime Shilen, Linda Smith-Nosbisch, Susan Stack, Neil Wehr, and Sean Witucki. Joan Vita Marotta, former head of public programs at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, assistedDiane Koeppelas a curatorial consultant.

            Artworks were lent by public and private collections throughout New York State, including such notable institutions as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, Fenimore Art Museum of the New York State Historical Association, Grey Art Gallery of New York University, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Arts & Design, National Academy of Design, The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts of St. Bonaventure University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Schein-Joseph International Museum of Ceramic Art of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. 

            A 16-page catalog featuring highlights was published to coincide with the exhibition’s opening. A larger catalog published later included biographical information about each artist, a color illustration of one of their works, and an essay by guest curator Diane Koeppel. In addition, an array of educational programs, interactive displays and teaching aids were offered throughout the summer and early autumn. 

            Based on the vision of Buffalo State President Muriel A. Howard to feature artworks created by alumni, visitors were able to see art from some of the most prestigious museums and collections throughout New YorkState. Some of the exhibition’s nationally renowned artists include Edwin Dickinson, AP Gorny, Sylvia Hyman, G. Peter Jemison, Robert Longo, Joseph Piccillo, Cindy Sherman, and Bill Stewart. All works selected for the exhibition support its organizing concept—to examine the impact Buffalo State has had on the art world. This important exhibition would not have been possible without the moral and financial support of Dr. Muriel A. Howard, Buffalo State College, and Dr. Emile C. Netzhammer III, Dean of Arts and Humanities, who provided guidance and aid.