New gallery directors at NACC

Niagara Arts and Cultural Center names Ray Robertson & Dana Tyrrell as co-gallery directors

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center announced the appointment of Ray Robertson and Dana Tyrrell as co-gallery directors of the Townsend Gallery, Kudela Garden Gallery, and NACC permanent exhibitions.

A press release stated, “We are excited to add these talented individuals to the galleries in support of our mission of protecting the NACC’s historic building, promoting the arts within our region, and providing arts and cultural experiences for Niagara County, and beyond.”

Of the appointments, NACC Acting Executive Director Dr. Katherine Johnson said, “The NACC galleries advance the mission of the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center through promoting arts and cultural experiences to our community and visitors to the region. We are excited to name Ray Robertson and Dana Tyrrell as co-directors to oversee all aspects of the galleries. With Ray’s vast knowledge of the NACC and its galleries, Dana’s experiences in the regional arts community – and both artists themselves – the NACC will continue to expand its place as a key community anchor and heritage tourism destination in the City of Niagara Falls.”

Reginald “Ray” Robertson is an artist, sculptor and photographer. He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1967 and went on to the University of Buffalo for a B.A. in philosophy. However, his art was discovered by C. Magnus Harrell, founder of the Masten Community Workshop located on the east side of Buffalo, and his art career began.

Of his work, Robertson said, “The organic form has always fascinated me from childhood. I had a desire for collecting things, usually natural things such as rocks, leaves, wood, etc. I would put these things together in unique ways. My collages have since evolved from two-dimensional wall pieces of wood, metal and stone, into three-dimensional floor pieces of the same material. Today, I consider myself to be a multidimensional painter, photographer, sculptor and collagist blending all mediums I work in.”

Dana Tyrrell is an artist, curator and writer from Niagara Falls. A University at Buffalo graduate (2015), Tyrrell's artwork is held in private collections across the U.S., and the permanent collections of the Castellani Art Museum, the University at Buffalo department of art, the Pride Center of Western New York, and the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Past curatorial projects include exhibitions with the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Castellani Art Museum, and nonprofit galleries throughout Western New York. His arts writing and criticism has appeared in Two Coats of Paint, Cornelia Magazine and Buffalo Rising, among others.

As the largest multiarts center in upstate New York, the NACC is home to a diverse group of 75 artists and makers, three public art galleries, three theaters, a radio station, a certified sound stage and movie production facility, the Niagara Falls High School alumni center, as well as the NACC Starry Night Café & Gift Shop.

The NACC is located at 1201 Pine Ave., in the City of Niagara Falls. Gallery hours for the Townsend Gallery, Kudela Garden Gallery and permanent exhibits within the building are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding holidays. Additional information for galleries, exhibitions and opportunities can be found at thenacc.org.