CEPA Gallery

WNYCOSH's Working Lens 2024 opens this Friday! 🤘📷

Working Lens 2024 marks the second collaboration between CEPA Gallery and WNYCOSH, further strengthening the relationship between the arts and the labor community. This unique exhibition brings together seven union workers who, over the span of eight weeks, have developed their photography skills under the mentorship of renowned photographer Martin Malicki. Throughout this creative journey, participants have explored the intersection of their personal and professional lives, using photography as a medium to document the complex realities of work, home, and family.

To learn more about the opening this Friday from 6-9pm or more about the exhibition and artists, visit the link in bio. 🔗

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Welcome our new CEPA Executive Director, Ben Hickey!

After an extensive national search, the board of trustees for The Center for Exploratory & Perceptual Arts (CEPA Gallery) announces the hiring of its next Executive Director, Ben Hickey. A skilled administrator with an excellent curatorial pedigree, Hickey brings 19 years of experience to CEPA. Most recently, he served as Interim Director at the Hilliard Art Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana. During his seven years as Curator at the Hilliard, he also served as a member of the leadership team responsible for the museum’s inaugural American Alliance of Museums accreditation. Hickey’s biography is available here.

As an artist-founded gallery, CEPA has a long history of supporting experimental and ground-breaking artists who have changed the world of photography. Hickey’s hire will kick off a year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. Community outreach and education, as well as access to excellent studio facilities for photographic artists will continue to be a point of emphasis for CEPA.

Hickey will work for an engaged board of directors and lead a talented staff composed of some of WNY’s most up-and-coming arts professionals. Hickey says, “Our capacity for collaboration is amazing. Current partners include Roswell Park, WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health, and the AKG Buffalo Art Museum among others.”

Hickey concluded, “I am especially eager to begin a new era of robust, boundary-pushing exhibitions with strong educational components. I want CEPA to thrive and turn heads.”

To learn more about Ben, his background and the upcoming events for CEPA, visit the link in our bio

On view now at CEPA: Tallulah Gordon and Faith Mikolajczyk's exhibition I’m Burning in My Bedroom

I’m Burning in My Bedroom, by Tallulah Gordon and Faith Mikolajczyk, is an intimate exploration of personal experiences and identity featuring two emerging artists here in Buffalo, NY.

In an except from Tallulah Gordon artist statement, “Trauma is never easy to discuss, I like to let my work do the talking. Creating cyanotypes has been a way for me to communicate my innermost thought for a few years now. This project was originally meant for me to overcome and close off some of my traumatic childhood through art, but instead it caused me to ask myself questions I hadn’t considered before. I may not be ready to move on from what happened to me, but I’m ready to view it from another perspective.”

The exhibition is on view now, but come join us in the opening celebration for five exhibitions to celebrate fifty years at CEPA Gallery on November 15th from 5-9pm!

Happy Halloween from CEPA Gallery! 🧛🏽‍♂️🕸️👻🎃🔮

Enjoy some the frightening photos taken here of Nate and Robert from our Spirit Photography class this past weekend!

Interested in taking a class with us? Check out our education page for our full list of upcoming classes. Don't see what you're looking for? We also offer one-on-one sessions, whether you are trying to learn digital editing techniques, master your darkroom printing skills, or master your skills with a camera, we've got you covered. Learn more and enroll today in the link in our bio!

You might have noticed a new (and maybe familiar) logo in our recent fiftieth-anniversary announcement. This special anniversary logo is based on a design from the early 2000s we found while digging through our archives. It is a forward-looking take on the past. The perfect aesthetic for a big anniversary. Please enjoy a look at some other logos and images we found in our archives! Additionally, be on the lookout in the weeks leading up to our opening celebration, for some CEPA merch! An announcement on that is coming soon, so keep your ears and eyes open!

Come celebrate with us here at 617 Main Street on November 15th from 5-9 PM as we continue to exhibit photographic and related media artists of all levels with FIVE exhibitions to mark FIFTY years at CEPA Gallery.

Picking up or dropping off? Or both!? Our previous CEPA Gallery Members' Show artwork has been de-installed and works can be picked up during our office hours during the week. The same goes for drop-offs for our Big Orbit Member's Show! Artwork of any medium with a maximum size of 48x48 inches is being accepted through the extended deadline of THIS Saturday, November 2nd.

Come visit us during our regular office hours, Monday - Friday from 10 AM - 4 PM. If you're unable to drop off during these times, please send us an email or give us a call to arrange a time to drop off your work. If shipping work, please include return postage.

Image from our 2021 Big Orbit Members' Show.

Kinstugi, Creativity and Connection Through Photography
Image 1 by Lucy Rowland
Image 2 featuring the journal of Allie Koch

One of five exhibitions that will be on view this November 15, 2024. 🖼️ 📷

Kintsugi marks the culmination of a year-long collaboration between CEPA Gallery and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Young Adults Program. The collaboration featured a series of seven-week classes, drop-in workshops, photo walks, and community events, providing as many spaces as possible for the participants to come together and connect through art.

Inspired by the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold, Kintsugi represents the idea that beauty can be found in the process of repair and transformation. While not focused solely on healing, the program allowed participants to document their lives, offering a glimpse into their personal experiences and growth.

Kintsugi is a celebration of creativity, community, and the power of photography to help people explore and express their identities. It offers a platform for young adults to share their work, their journeys, and the connections they’ve made along the way.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s commitment to holistic care is reflected in this collaboration with CEPA Gallery, where art and creativity play a vital role in both personal expression and therapy. Join us in celebrating the vision and creativity of these participants as they share their photographic stories with the world.

This program is supported by the Joe and Kathy Curatolo Endowment.

To learn more about this exhibition and the opening celebration for 5 exhibitions and 50 years at CEPA Gallery, visit the link in our bio! 🔗

DEADLINE EXTENDED! 2024 Big Orbit Members' Show at CEPA Gallery. 🖼️ 📷

We are still accepting submissions for our 2024 Big Orbit Members' Show and we have even extended the deadline for those making any last minute finishing touches on their work! The final day to drop off work is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, so make sure to secure your spot in the show and drop off your work during our office hours: Monday - Friday from 10 AM - 4 PM. If you're unable to drop off during these times, please send us an email or give us a call to arrange a time to drop off your work. If shipping work, please include return postage.

Not currently a member? You can renew your membership before or at the time of drop off. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact [email protected].

For our Big Orbit Members’ Show, artwork of all mediums are welcome. The size limit for each submission is 48 x 48 inches. All submissions must arrive ready to be hung. If work is not framed, please include instructions for how your work should be displayed.

For more info, see the link in our bio 🔗

Next Friday! There's still several spots in this class. Sign up today to learn some basics for large format photography, while you learn about the history of spirit photography.

New Class Added! SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY is happening on October 25th from 6-9pm! 👻🌟🔮📷

Discover the eerie and fascinating world of spirit photography in this hands-on large format photography workshop. The workshop will cover the history of spirit photography and 19th-century portraiture, diving into techniques and mystique that defined this unique genre. Students will pre-expose ghostly figures onto paper film and learn how to use an 8×10 large format camera to create haunting portraits. The class will serve as a fun introduction to large format photography and darkroom work.

Participants are encouraged to dress in period-appropriate costumes for an authentic, spooky experience! Students will leave the class with a set of eerie portraits and a deeper understanding of large format photography and historical photographic techniques.

To register, tap the link in our bio 🔗

Join The Center for Exploratory & Perceptual Arts (CEPA Gallery) on November 15th from 5-9 PM for the opening of five exhibitions that celebrate CEPA Gallery’s 50th anniversary. These exhibitions honor CEPA’s history, showcasing our continued commitment to collaboration, photography, and providing access for artists.

One of the highlights is an installation by Amy Fisher-Price, titled Amy Fisher-Price: Buffalo Signs. Created in partnership with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and Oxford Pennant, the installation is paired with a special exhibition of archival photographs from CEPA’s 1978 Portrait of Buffalo project. Portrait of Buffalo depicted citizens of the Queen City in everyday situations. This exhibition anticipates Portrait of Buffalo II, a revival of the project slated to open at CEPA Gallery in May 2025.

Collaboration is one of CEPA’s calling cards and is at the heart of two upcoming exhibitions. Exploring the restorative power of art, Kintsugi: Creativity and Connection through Photography, is presented in partnership with Roswell Park. Additionally, our collaboration with WNYCOSH, Working Lens 2024, highlights social justice and labor issues. Working Lens 2024 will be on view during the reception. This powerful exhibition is CEPA’s second partnership with the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

Rounding out the season are two exhibitions that embody providing access for artists. I’m Burning in My Bedroom, by Tallulah Gordon and Faith Mikolajczyk, is an intimate exploration of personal experiences and identity featuring two emerging artists. The exciting 2024 Big Orbit Members’ Show is not to be missed. This annual celebration showcases a wide range of artistic practices that reflect the breadth of creativity in our region. Membership is still available for those who wish to participate and have their work featured in this exciting exhibition.

To learn more about the upcoming exhibitions and the November 15th Opening Celebration, click the link in our bio!

There is still some time to view our current exhibitions before they close this Friday. See what our members have in the Flux Gallery or get a game of pingle pongcrete in across the hall in our focus gallery.

Stop in during our open gallery hours, or you can make an appointment. Link in bio 🔗

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We have four new exhibitions coming this November in addition to another exhibition that is to be announced! Stay tuned for a special announcement next week regarding the fifth exhibition and more!

Come create with us! Join us for our first Open Facilities Night on Friday, November 1st from 6:30-9:00 PM. The darkroom, classroom, digital lab and lighting studio will be open to use to create your current or next project! Here is everything you need to know before you get here.

• When you arrive please enter through the Main Street entrance. If you arrive after open gallery hours, after 7:00pm, please call us at (716) 856-2717.
• Participants will be able to work in the darkroom. Chemistry is provided, but please bring your own paper! (If you need paper, we will provide it to you for $20 lab fee or you can also sign up for a membership). It is preferred if those who attend have some basic darkroom knowledge already. For those new to the darkroom, please check out some of our darkroom I & II courses or you can set up an appointment for one-on-one tutorials on our website.
• Collaging and zine making will be taking place in the classroom area. If you have anything you can donate (magazines, stickers, craft paper, small doodads) please feel free to bring! The more the merrier. Otherwise, materials will all be provided.
• Participants will be able to work in our computer lab to scan film and work in the Adobe Suite. However, we are unable to accommodate digital printing.
• While the majority of Open Facilities Night will be taking place in the classroom areas and darkroom, people are welcome to work in the lighting studio if they have the experience to do so.

To register, fill out the google form thats listed in our bio

Can’t make it? Don’t worry! We will be hosting an Open Facilities Night monthly. We hope to see you there and stay tuned for further upcoming open facilities nights at CEPA!

Reminder that this Thursday from 6-7pm we will be hosting a series of Artist Talks for our 2024 Members' Show with artists Biljana Petreska, Cheryl Gorski, Brandon Oleksy and Laura Chenault!

Biljana Petreska, an innovative Roycroft photographer who combines science and art experimentation, is primarily a self-portrait conceptual artist. Pushing the boundaries of traditional photography, her work explores the profound layers of human experience and interaction.

Cheryl Gorski is a New York-based photographer known for her imagery style of the fashion industry, photographing backstage, front row, riser, and afterparties. She specializes in event, portraiture, and concert photography. She fully embraced the art of photography as a student attending Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts. She apprenticed under a master photographer in her first portrait studio job and still uses the techniques today.

Brandon Oleksy was born in Arlington Heights, IL, raised in San Marcos, CA and is now working and residing in Buffalo, NY. Their photographs are a celebration and documentation of the people creating underground music while challenging gender normativity. It is within these scenes and spaces that operate outside of societal norms that people are able to express and rehearse who they truly want to be.

Laura Chenault is an interdisciplinary artist creating art from a q***r, feminist, and post-modernist perspective who believes concept and content must work hand-in-hand with presentation and display. Medium, scale, and delivery are critical components of every project. She has a BFA in photography from the University of Illinois and works in photography, collage, book arts, installation art, performance, printmaking, and film making. Her love of alternative processes spans decades after being exposed to them by Bea Nettles and Barbara DeGenevieve as an undergrad. In addition to making art, she is passionate about building communities, sharing skills, mentoring, and teaching.

Reminder that artwork drop off dates for our Big Orbit Members' Show are starting THIS Monday, October 7th! 🎨 📅 📷

Drop-off days will be taking place from October 7 – 25 during CEPA’s office hours: Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 4 PM or during CEPA’s open gallery hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 4 PM – 7 PM and Saturdays from 12 PM – 4 PM.

All current, new, and renewing CEPA members are invited to submit one artwork for the exhibition which will be located in the Underground Gallery. To submit, please fill out the virtual submission form which can be found on our website. Link in Bio. 🔗

This year, one winner will be selected from the participants. The winner will receive a free solo exhibition to be held at CEPA Gallery. In order to be considered for the juried portion of the show, you must submit a portfolio consisting of 10 images that represent a cohesive body of work (must be reflective of the one piece put into the show) along with an artist statement and resume. The portfolios must be submitted by the final day of drop-off, and need to be emailed to [email protected].

Fancy a game of Pingle Pongcrete? 🏓🌱🤔

The Pingle Pongrete table is a prototype for a Soil Formation Factor calculator. Based on Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev's five soil forming factors: parent material, climate, biota, topography, and time.

Pingle Pongrete invites players to take on the role of time (through a ping pong game) interrupted by a collection of interlocking wheels that relate to parent material. topography (terrain/relief/ aspect), biota (living beings) and climate, alongside the wild card addition of movers. The player's role as time is amplified by contact mics and delay pedals that extend the sound of the ping pong ball in time.

Stop by the gallery to view Pickles and Concrete and don't forget to bring your game face! 🏓🌱😎

Open gallery hours this week: Thursday: 4:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 4:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Or call us to make an appointment if you can't make it during our open gallery hours.







Photo by Robert George