Along with Spring comes the promise of growth and the opportunity to develop creative potential. This has certainly been amply realized in our very successful Spring Show currently on view at Buffalo Arts Studio. (See the ArtVoice review: http://artvoice.com/issues/v13n15/art_scene and see the award winners on the next page.) The work displayed in this exhibition demonstrates, yet again, the great strength in the diversity that the Buffalo Society of Artists welcomes and promotes to art lovers in Western New York and beyond. I would like to thank Artistic Director, Cori Wolff, and the staff at BAS for providing a fantastic venue for us to show the wonderful work of our membership.
Our sponsorship of young artists can also be seen in the Daemen College and Kenan Center All High Shows, the latter presently on view. We are also pleased to support Larry Kinney and the UHAA, University Heights Arts Association, with their contribution to the Earth Day event at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston this month, designed to cultivate creativity in children along with increasing their environmental awareness.
It follows, in supporting and recognizing the work of young artists in our midst, that we should also honor the significant efforts of long time members and supporters, including those who have sadly passed on, like Rena Riesman, an artist of extraordinary talent with a long membership with the BSA, and Trustee Emeritus, Mort Spiller. A great friend to this organization, his advice and assistance to us has always been treasured, and we will certainly miss his influence. I would like to thank his sister, Jill Underwood, for coordinating the donation of funds from his friends and family for the creation of a Mortimer Spiller Memorial, through which awards may be granted to the appropriate members at our juried exhibitions.
Additionally, we continue production of the Video Portrait Series, as spearheaded by Beth Pedersen, where we provide a great service in preserving the history of the eminent artists in the area, in a manner that is professional and consistent in respecting the personal vision of each individual artist while remaining part of a coherent body of documentary work.
I would like to also thank Meridian West Gallery for having generously allowed the Board of Directors use of the gallery after hours for our board meetings, and for consistently showcasing quality work of local artists in a refined, sophisticated environment. I truly look forward to enjoying the results that this creative season will bring in the upcoming individual and group shows of our membership throughout the year, and in seeing all of you at these venues!
