Student Exhibitions On Campus, In the Community

In Gerald Mead’s DES 414 Senior Seminar, design students gain first-hand experience in all the facets of being a working designer or craft artisan.

A successful designer must balance the roles of event-planner, promoter, and curator. Moreover, they have to prepare and maintain a portfolio, market their work for representation, sale or freelance commissions, seek and apply for exhibitions, and hone their resume-writing and interview skills.

This is all in addition to spending countless hours in a studio, creating and refining their work. 

As a requirement of the course, each student must have a solo exhibition. Whether the exhibition is on or off campus, the students are responsible for securing the location, creating and distributing invitations, promoting their show, hanging and installing their artwork, and connecting with their audience.

Independently orchestrating a show gives students practical experience in project management that they will be able to apply to their future careers.

"Each of the students' thesis exhibitions brings together the finest level of work that they are capable of as a result of their studies at SUNY Buffalo State," said Mead. "Perhaps even more importantly, it provides an opportunity for them to showcase their skills and share their talent with their family, friends, and colleagues. I continue to be impressed by the originality and quality of the work they create and the professionalism of their promotional materials.”

Student exhibitions included in this project:

Naturally Glam
Cosmetic branding by Samantha Tilkins
April 2–7
Opening reception: Friday, April 4, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Facial Contrasts
Portrait paintings by Laura Herrmann
April 4–28
Opening reception: Friday, April 4, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Coming Home Buffalo Gallery, 140 Elmwood Ave,
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, noon–7:00 p.m.; Sundays, 1:00–6:00 p.m.

Formative Behaviors
Sculptural ceramics by Michelle Milanovich
April 7-11
Opening reception: Friday, April 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Bacon Gallery, Upton Hall
Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
 

Recreating the Speakeasy
Graphic designs by Katherine Goetz
April 10–15
Opening reception: Friday, April 11, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or by appointment at (716) 228-1855.
 

Conceptual Confections
Branding and packaging design by Amanda Procknal
April 10–15
Opening reception: Friday, April 11, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or by appointment at (716) 228-1855.
 

I do, I do, I DO!
Wedding invitation design by Katie Payne
April 17–21
Opening reception: Thursday, April 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or by appointment at (716) 228-1855.

Intoxicating Fables
Beer label and package design by Rebecca Lickfield
April 17–21
Opening reception: Thursday, April 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or by appointment at (716) 228-1855.
 

Ails & Ale
Beer label designs by Kristen Hooper
Opening reception: Friday, April 18, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
El Museo Gallery, 91 Allen St.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m.

Multifarious Metalwork
Designs by Ashley Vining
April 18–22
Opening reception: Friday, April 18, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
 

Preserve and Reserve
National park branding by Brent Ricci
April 18–25
Opening reception: Friday, April 18, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
El Museo Gallery, 91 Allen St.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m.

Floral Infusion
Tea branding by Tricia Kolovrat
April 24–28
Opening reception: Friday, April 25 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Type Off
Lettering designs by Reann Nye
April 24–28
Opening reception: Friday, April 25 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

America the Popular
Poster and stamp designs by Eryn Logar
April 25–30
Opening reception: Friday, April 25, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
 

Graphic Playback
A board game design by Jessica Chislett
April 25–May 2
Opening reception: Friday, April 25, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Queen City Gallery, 617 Main St.
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, noon–3:00 p.m.

Curbside Calories
Food truck branding by Liana Spicciati
April 26–May 3
Opening reception: Saturday, April 26, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Second Chic, 810 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5:00 p.m.

At Your Service
Restaurant identity designs by Clarice Calogero
May 2–6
Opening reception: Friday, May 2, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St.
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
 

Fresh Innovations
Rebranding of La Tavola Trattoria by Dana Fischer
Opening reception: Friday, May 2
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.


 

United Plates
License and poster designs by Torri Maccagnano
May 9-13
Opening reception: Friday, May 9, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St.
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.

Print Construct and Repeat
Textile designs by Courtney Craig
May 15–21
Opening reception: Saturday, May 17
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

 

Framing the Counterculture—Watercolor portraits by Shaun Swick
May 16–21
Opening Reception: Friday, May 16, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St.
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.