'Erie County Free Week' begins July 5

The Albright-Knox, in conjunction with the County of Erie, announced the return of “Erie County Free Week,” beginning Monday, July 5, and continuing through Sunday, July 11.

 A press release stated, “The week of free-admission programs and events is a popular way for the museum to express its gratitude to all Erie County residents, the county executive and county legislators for their generous support of museum operations.”

Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director of the Albright-Knox Janne Sirén said, “Our mission as a museum is to serve our community as a catalyst for learning, creativity and social engagement. Each year, Erie County’s generous commitment supports a wide range of inspirational art classes, groundbreaking exhibitions, and a public art initiative, which helps us share spectacular artworks across Western New York. We are deeply grateful to Erie County for its continued support of our museum and vibrant community.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “ ‘Free Week’ 2021 is a great opportunity for all residents to enjoy the Albright-Knox at no cost, with a variety of programs and workshops to take part in. Families will certainly enjoy the Hervé Tullet exhibition, which is bright, colorful and a children’s favorite; and there will be more fun and learning with the art truck and other offerings. In addition, there will be a pop-up vaccination clinic on-site during the week, so there are plenty of reasons to stop by during ‘Free Week.’ ”

‘Erie County Free Week’ Programs and Events

The following is courtesy of Albright-Knox:

•“Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color” at Albright-Knox Northland (July 9-11) is the largest exhibition of work by this artist, performer and beloved children’s book author ever assembled. Tullet has created a visual language of simple yet joyous and inviting lines and shapes in primary colors that can be found throughout his installations and more than 80 publications.

Tullet (French, born 1958) believes his audiences “complete” such works. Their potential is only realized through the unique play and discovery of each viewer. Creativity is for everyone, Tullet asserts, and he encourages all to become active participants in the work.

Members of the community are invited to become part of the collaborative and interactive experience at Albright-Knox Northland through a series of ongoing workshops, instructional videos, and other programs.

•“Memory, Identity, and Distortion with Artist Tricia Butski” (10-11:30 a.m. July 10). In this workshop led by “Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color” resident artist Tricia Butski, participants will produce drawings that focus on themes of memory, identity and distortion. Using multiple photographs taken from different angles, they will create colorful, layered portraits with shifting, overlapping edges. Portraits might illustrate movement in space, changing moods, or a sequence of moments in time.

•“Art Truck: Architecture Adventures” at Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House” (10:30 a.m. to noon July 10). Join the Martin House and the Albright-Knox art truck for “Architecture Adventures.” This free program will begin with an outdoor exploration of the Martin House's historic landscape, including the public art exhibition “The Space Between: Frank Lloyd Wright | Jun Kaneko.” Then, participants will explore the ways art can be made with drips and drops, inspired by Kaneko’s massive sculptures placed around the Martin House's grounds.

•Art truck at Albright-Knox Northland (1-5 p.m. July 10). Join us for free outdoor artmaking activities inspired by “Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color” with the art truck in the parking lot of Albright-Knox Northland. From 1-3 p.m., participate in a hands-on artmaking activity; from 3-5 p.m., pick up an art kit with supplies for artmaking at home, while supplies last.

•Vaccination pop-up clinic at Albright-Knox Northland (1-5 p.m. July 10). Free, first-dose Pfizer (youth ages 12-18) or single-dose Johnson & Johnson (ages 18-plus) vaccines will be available. Parental consent is required for ages 12-17. Registration is suggested, though walk-ins are welcome. Bring a photo ID. Call 716-858-2929 or visit www.erie.gov/vax for an appointment.

•“Virtual Family Funday” inspired by “Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color” (1-3 p.m. July 11). Join us for a free, virtual “Family Funday” featuring activities inspired by Tullet’s book “The Game of Shapes,” and the special exhibition “Hervé Tullet: Shape and Color.” Activities will be led by members of the museum’s learning and creativity team and one of the exhibition’s resident artists.

• Storytime and artmaking, 1-1:40 p.m.
• Movement activity, 1:40-2:05 p.m.
• Drop-in art activity with resident artist, 2:05-2:30 p.m.
• Activity with Buffalo History Museum, 2:30-3 p.m.

Happening All Summer

•Summer 2021 Erie County Parks Scavenger Hunt: Get outside and explore Erie County Parks this summer. Share your photos with #ErieCountyParkArt or email them to [email protected] for a chance to win one of these prizes from Erie County and the Albright-Knox:

• Albright-Knox art activity kit
• Erie County bicentennial celebration basket
• Erie County maple syrup

To find Erie County Parks near you, visit www.erie.gov/parks.

•Public Art Initiative Projects Throughout Erie County: The Albright-Knox’s public art initiative is a partnership between the museum and the County of Erie established in 2013 to enhance a shared sense of place and cultural identity in the urban and suburban landscapes of Western New York. The City of Buffalo joined the partnership in 2014.

The goal of the Initiative is to create spaces of dialogue where diverse communities have the ability to socially engage with, actively respond to, and cooperatively produce great public art that is capable of empowering individuals, creating stronger neighborhoods, and establishing Western New York as a critical cultural center. Explore all public art initiative projects on the museum’s public art map.