by Paula S. Thompson

Created on: August 10, 2009

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, world-renowned as a center for modern and contemporary art, is one of Buffalo's top cultural draws. Visitors will find a rich collection of art that will take them through the centuries, as well as many educational and entertainment facilities.

The governing body of the Gallery is the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. Founded in 1862, it is one of the oldest public arts organizations in the U.S. The original gallery, intended to be used as the Fine Arts Pavilion at the Pan-American Exposition in 1901, was a gift from Buffalo philanthropist John Albright. Completed in 1905, too late for the expo, it was named the Albright Art Gallery. This building was designed by Buffalo architect E.B. Green, who also designed the Toledo (OH) Museum of Art and the Dayton (OH) Art Institute. An addition, designed by Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (NY), was made possible by major donations from the Knox family, who went on to be the original owners of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. The addition was dedicated in 1962, and the Museum was renamed the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. A third wing, Clifton Hall, is connected via an underground walkway to the main Gallery.

The Gallery today boasts a rich collection of post-war American and European art - abstract art, pop art, and items from the 1970s through today are represented. There is also a diversified collection that spans Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, cubism, surrealism, and constructivism, among other trends of the early 20th century.

The G. Robert Strauss, Jr. Memorial Library is the Gallery's research and study center. Originally established by the Knoxes in 1933, the Library was moved to Clifton Hall in 1992 and renamed in honor of the son of Sue and Gerald Strauss, who donated the new facility. The Library supports research and education by collecting, preserving, and making scholarly resources available to members, students, academics, and community members by request. The growing, non-circulating collection currently boasts over 45,000 items. The Library is open to Gallery members by appointment from 3 to 5 p.m. on Fridays (call 716-270-8240 to schedule an appointment).

As an educational facility, the Gallery offers classes and workshops for everyone. Ranging from outdoor watercolor lessons for adults to educator workshops to a "future curator" program for teens, the Gallery seeks to be an educational resource for all ages, as well as a cultural gathering place with programs such as "Gusto at the Gallery" and limited-engagement exhibits.

If you would like to host an event at the Gallery (no wedding ceremonies or receptions, please) there are plenty of options. Muse, the Gallery's restaurant, is available for cocktails and casual dining, and larger parties can take advantage of the Sculpture Garden, an extension of Muse. The Auditorium is perfect for meetings, concerts, and dance performances, while Clifton Hall is available for cocktail receptions and small concerts. Sculpture Court and the Lower Galleries are also available to patrons sponsoring an exhibition or program.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, is open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students 13 and older, and free for children 12 and under and Museum members; there is also free admission for everyone from 3 to 10 p.m. on Fridays. Parking at the Gallery is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. For more information on the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, visit albrightknox.org.

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