Castellani Art Museum announces fall programs & exhibitions

Submitted by the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University

Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University (CAM) is excited to announce its fall events and featured exhibitions. Museum admission remains free, and programs are free or discounted for Members, NU faculty, students, staff, and EBT cardholders.

Our current hours will continue into the fall: Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 1-7 p.m.; and Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This fall, we have a very diverse set of programs for learning and for fun,” Director Ellen Owens said. “All are welcome – we are a space for people to be curious and be inspired by others’ creativity and perspectives.”

Children’s Programs

•Saturday “Art Express” workshops (ages 6-12) | 11.a.m.-1 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/art-express 

√ Sept. 30 | “School Year Visions”

√ Oct. 28 | “Día de los Muertos Memories and Memento” 

√ Nov. 25 | “Wonderful Winter Stamp-Making”

Cost is $10 per child plus $5 for a participating parent/guardian. Free for a non-participating parent/guardian, members, and EBT cardholders. 

“Art Express” workshops include a short talk about child-friendly museum artworks, and a guided storytime. A teaching artist works closely with participants to foster the creation of customized take-home artwork. 

Adult Programs

•Three-day natural dyeing workshop | Wednesdays, Sept. 27 through Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/camdyeingworkshop 

Join local textile artist Tami Fuller for a workshop series that will teach environmentally sustainable ways of fabric dyeing over three consecutive weeks. Using fabrics, participants will learn how to create intricate fabric resist patterns on silk, lino-printed linen furoshiki, and more.

Cost is $90 or $80 for members, NU faculty, students and staff (includes all three sessions and materials).

•“Famous Writers At The Falls: Book Talk By Dr. Jamie Carr” | Saturday, Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/cambooktalk

To celebrate the current exhibition, “Northward: Niagara River Views,” CAM will host Dr. Jamie Carr for a free lecture on her new book, “Niagaras of Ink.” This event is the second annual Lynch Lecture, part of Niagara University's Vincentian Heritage Week. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available. Preregistration is required. 

•“CAM Meets: Arts & Culture Lecture Series” | RSVP at bit.ly/cammeets 

√ Saturday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | “Japanese Tea Ceremony”

√ Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2-3 p.m. | “The Hudson River School: Artistic Pioneers movie screening”

Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child, and free for members, NU students, and EBT cardholders with registration. 

“CAM Meets” is an engaging lecture series that provides space for learning in history and art making topics. CAM invites diverse local artists, historians and museum professionals to explore art through different perspectives.

For Everyone

•“Saturday Folklife Workshops” | 2-4 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/camfolklifeworkshop 

√ Nov. 18 | “Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Arts”

√ Dec. 2 | “Tuscarora Beaded Christmas Ornaments”

Cost is $15 per adult, $10 per child, and free for members, NU students, and EBT cardholders with registration. 

Folklife workshops are small, hands-on programs led by local folk artists and tradition bearers that engage participants in our region’s diverse cultural heritage.

•Public tours (pay-what-you-wish) First Saturdays | 1-2 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/campublictours 

√ Sept. 9 | “Through Artists' Eyes: Exploring the Natural & Urban World”

√ Oct. 7 |“Highwaymen: Black Artists of the Florida Coast”

√ Nov. 4 |“Indigenous Artists in CAM’s Collection (honoring Native American History Month)

√ Dec. 2 | “Knowing Land”

Public tours provide guests with a 45-minute curator-led public tour of a current exhibition or gallery, and a 15-minute Q&A session.

•“Currents: Arts & Culture Discussion Series” | RSVP at bit.ly/camcurrents

√ Saturday, Sept. 16, 2-3:30p.m. | “Classical Music and Dance of India” 

√ Tuesday, Nov. 7, 6-7:30 p.m. | “Gender Identity in Indigenous Culture”

Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child, and free for members, NU students, and EBT cardholders with registration. 

“Currents” is an intimate moderated discussion series featuring a special guest speaker that spotlights contemporary issues in art, cultural heritage and the museum world.

Featured Fall Exhibitions

√ On view Thursday, Sept. 7 | “Highwaymen: Black Artists of the Florida Coast”

√ On view Thursday, Sept. 7 | “Through Artists’ Eyes: Exploring the Natural & Urban” World 

√ On view Tuesday, Dec. 5 | “WNY Artists: Art History with Museum Studies NU student-curated exhibition”

•“Highwaymen” opening reception | Thursday, Oct. 5. RSVP at bit.ly/camsreception 

 4:30-5:30 p.m. | CAM members and NU community reception featuring meet & greet with second-generation Highwayman Ray McClendon 

 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Public reception featuring an insider exhibition tour and remarks by second-generation Highwayman Ray McClendon 

Light refreshments and a cash bar on the portico will be available.

More About The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University

With learning and public access at the heart of its mission, CAM is the premiere resource for the visual arts in Niagara County. The museum’s permanent collection includes over 5,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art, Niagara Falls art, and regional folk arts. CAM is committed to the preservation of these artworks, along with offering exhibitions and programs that serve the campus, local communities, and tourists.