What is CEPA Gallery?

That is a question I found myself asking just over a week ago. Listed in Buffalo upcoming events, I found the CEPA Gallery’s Biennial Auction. The link was posted next to a very striking photograph, so I clicked on it and was directed to www.cepagallery.org. As a list of artists appeared on the right side of the screen I glimpsed CINDY SHERMAN! Could it be? A Cindy Sherman photograph being auctioned here in Buffalo?

I quickly discovered that many well known artists had donated to this year’s auction, which got me wondering, how did such a small gallery acquire pieces by such influential people? I came to lean CEPA is a large gallery that has been in Buffalo for over 35 years. CEPA is not just a gallery, but a center for art education. They have several dark rooms that can be rented and used by aspiring artists (a feature I cannot wait to try out). It provides a great space for local and international artists, and I am honestly embarrassed not to have known about it sooner.

The auction takes place this Saturday, but CEPA will be around and open for years to come. I highly recommend stopping by and checking out what they have on display. It is well worth your while!

‘Til next time, with more culture,

Allie

It is hard to believe I have been at the CW for over two weeks now! There has been loads for me to learn and do, some of it fascinating,  some of it typical new-job-stuff, all of it really exciting. I am sure you are wondering how filling out tax forms could be exciting, but I assure you they truly can be!

Until recently I was working at a restaurant, not using my degree, but having a wonderful time and contemplating my next move in life. Well now that I have made that next move, I couldn’t be happier! Everyday I feel as if I have accomplished something new and very cool. I do, however consider finding the hot water spigot on the coffee maker to be cool and exciting, so it may be more accurate to say that every day I accomplish multiple things that are cool and exciting! I am discovering places in Buffalo I never knew existed and finding out I am pretty good at things I never knew I had the ability to do!

In the coming weeks I will be venturing out into the WNY area and posting videos explaining what I’ve done and where I have gone (promise not to include the hot water adventure in this segment). I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the fun by telling you what I’ve done now, so I suppose you will have to wait, visit the website often and see!

Til next time

-Allie

Yesterday I headed on down to Shea’s for Gowns 4 Proms, an event that is sponsored by News 4 and CW23, Colvin Cleaners, The Boulevard Mall, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, TT NY, and Enterprise.

Through Gowns 4 Proms, people and businesses are able to donate new or gently used prom dresses to girls who may not otherwise be able to have a gown. The dresses are cleaned and displayed on the main stage at Shea’s and girls from local high schools can come in, try on gowns, pick one they love and have it tailored to fit them and delivered to their school!

When I arrived, the stage was crowded with hundreds of gorgeous dresses (which I couldn’t help but browse through and wish I was going to my prom all over again). For a few minutes it was mayhem as girls with their friends or parents came in and rifled through dresses in search of that one perfect gown. I was a little upset that girls didn’t gauge out each others eyes for my favorite dress (which oddly remained on the rack, untouched) but it seemed as if everyone I saw ended up with exactly what they wanted.

I was fortunate enough to speak with Cyndee Billoni of Colvin Cleaners and  Tony Conte of Shea’s. They were able to explain to me how this amazing event got started and has grown exponentially over the past 5 years.

To hear their amazing stories and check out some great behind the scenes action, check out the video!

Hope to write again soon with my next exciting adventure!

One week down, many more to go! As you all may imagine I was tremendously nervous Monday morning (to be honest I was nervous all of Sunday as well). But everything seemed to go pretty smoothly my first day. I got tossed right into the action on day 1 and headed down to Dyngus Day Buffalo to check out all of the festivities. Apart from being doused in water and pelted in the face with parade candy, it was a ton of fun and I wished I could have stayed through the night. I’m still learning the technical aspects of the job.  It is a miracle if you are reading this because that would mean I have managed to use the site correctly, VICTORY!

Right now I am spending a lot of time researching interesting events around Buffalo and have already discovered a boat-load of great things coming up! I will be venturing out across Western New York and covering interesting places and events! If there is any event you may know of in the near future you think I may be interested in, don’t hesitate to toss me a suggestion!

I have a few online interviews set up for the coming week, so make sure to check out  to CW23.com and see whats happening around Buffalo!

Hello world!