Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center isn't your typical art museum.
A non-profit organization, Hallwalls has been adding to Buffalo's art community since 1974, in a time when local arts were flourishing. Located in a renovated church that was once set for demolition on the corner of Delaware and Tupper Avenues, its fourth location since it's inception, the gallery boasts not only art work, but moveable walls, guest speakers, film viewings, concerts and poetry readings.
It's one of those hidden gems even veteran Buffalonians aren't always aware exist. It's not like every art museum has a sanctuary and altar.
Now run by a small staff including a curator, a media arts director, a music director and a board of directors, one of their current goals is to bring in more funding to expand the staff, which at one point was nearly twenty strong in the early 1990s.
John Massier has been the visual arts curator for Hallwalls since 2001. Originally from Toronto, he enjoys the opportunity to share art with the Buffalo community. He has been a part of the art scene since 1988.
Natalie Basinski, a senior art major focusing on painting, is one of five interns currently working at Hallwalls.
"We are fortunate to get funding from a number of grants and organizations," Basinski said. Hallwalls moved into its downtown location last January. Before then it was in the Tri-Main Center on Main Street.
"This is our fourth and hopefully final location of the museum," Massier said. "It's a great space."
"We're happy to have moved, because the last space was more hidden," Basinski said. "Being located downtown people can visit the museum in the evening then go to the bars and make a fun night out of it."
The basement houses a screening room, which allows the showing of a variety of films, including documentaries, as well as poetry readings and musicians. Its modernly equipped setup comfortably seats 80 people.
The sanctuary can fit 1200 people and has recently been used for wedding ceremonies as well as concert venues. The public can view the facilities and current exhibits free of charge.
"If the art doesn't interest you, the amazing architecture certainly will," Basinski said.
The structure stands out with its stone fa?\0xA4ade and twin steeples, and holds stain glass windows, original decorative woodwork and high arched ceilings within its walls.
Renovations to the building are on-going.
"We plan on turning a section of the basement into a full functioning bar," Massier said. "We're working to make the best out of a modest-sized building."
What sets Hallwalls apart from other art galleries is that it is accepting of emerging artists, no matter how weird or controversial. Each day at least five calls come in from artists asking for space.
"We're like a launching pad for new artists to get started," Basinski said.
In its beginnings, art galleries like Hallwalls were less accepting of new and diverse artists. Advancements in technology, including digital art and film, have greatly changed how art is now viewed.
Several influential artists have gotten their start at Hallwalls, giving it national and international recognition. Robert Longo, a 1975 graduate of Buffalo State College, is an artist who became famous in the late 1970s for his paintings and sculptures, co-founded Hallwalls with UB alumnus Cindy Sherman.
A number of controversial artists have also displayed their work, including performance artist Karen Finley, Robert Mapplethorpe's photography depicting homosexuality and erotica and Andre Serrano's painting of "the Piss Christ."
Recent galleries were photos by Michelle Hines, a graphic designer for L'Oreal called "Within the Contest of No Contest," as well as an interactive painted and sculpted piece by Bartow + Metzgar called "Corrupture."
"Our purpose is to challenge the notion of art by pushing it further," Basinski said, "and to let the public see what great artistic talent there is even within the Buffalo community. A number of artists that display their work are UB students or professors."
Students can become members of Hallwalls for a yearly $25 fee. This gives exclusive invitations to all events as well as the opportunity to have amateur art displayed, from personal photography to children's watercolors.
Hallwalls is open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m.
