This gallery is a major showplace for modern and contemporary art. When I first entered on a Saturday afternoon to escape a cold winter day, I saw it was also a place of quiet, cleanliness and order.
First, let me confess, I know very little about art. However, Gretchan Grobe, the guest service co-ordinator (she calls herself The Hospitality Princess) for the gallery assured me it didn't matter. She said, "Visitors are young, old and all over the board. Some know a lot about art and others want to learn but be assured you don't have to have a pedigree to visit."
The art gallery is the sixth oldest in North America, established in 1862 as the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. In 1890, Buffalo entrepreneur John J. Albright began construction of the Art Gallery for the Academy. In 1962 a new addition was built by Seymour H. Knox and his family and it was renamed the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The gallery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The gallery has two floors, completely accessible to wheelchair users, spread over a large area.
The gallery's impressive permanent collection of post-war American and European art is found on the main floor. It is fascinating and easy to read about the artists and their works of art. I particularly liked American painter Albert Bierstadt's 1859 painting titled "Marina Piccola Capri." The painting of an Italian bay was the first gift presented to the academy in 1863.
Check out the sculptures. Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" carved out of elm wood is a show stopper. It was the first piece of his work to be purchased by a gallery in North America. Moore is the artist who produced the large sculpture know as "The Archer" that sits outside of Toronto's city hall. The wood and mixed media sculpture "Bay Girl" by an artist simply known as Marisol put a smile on my face.
On the second floor of the gallery you'll find works of the masters.
Impressionistic and Post-Impressionistic artist like Paul Gaugin, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, to name a few, are displayed. After you've looked at the original Picasso you can step inside the AK Gift Shop and take home a print of some of these artists. Sales Associate Kate McWatters said, "The 11x14 inch reproductive Picasso prints for $13 are one of our most popular items."
A Picasso now hangs on my wall!
Where to Eat
I followed my stomach to where the locals eat. A 10-minute drive down the road at the intersection of Elmwood and Allen in historic Allentown is one of Buffalo's favourite hang-outs. The family owned and operated Towne Restaurant (www.thetowne.net, 186 Allen Road) opened in 1972. This place doesn't pretend to be anything other than a restaurant that serves up good food with fast service. Everything is made from scratch and you'll even leave with change in your pocket. The Buffalo Burger and Open Gyro, both in the $8 range, come with all the works. Portions are large so arrive hungry.
Contact George Bailey at wonderful.life@sympatico.ca
Albright-Knox Gallery
Gallery hours and admission: The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Non member rates: Adults -- $12, Seniors (62 plus) -- $8, Children (6-12) -- $5
A year-round individual adult membership is $50, students $25 and seniors $30.
Free public tours led by trained docents (guides) can be taken on Thursday, Friday and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The first Friday of the month, through the support of M &T Bank, the Gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., with free admission to the permanent collection.
Parking is $5 and $3 the first Friday of the month.
Victorian getaway for Valentine’s
