Art Collecting
Home is where the art is: Collecting locally
By Jana Eisenberg
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Early in the last century, when Buffalo and the entire region were growing wealthy and industrialized, many artists came here. Institutions that arose during the boom times, like the Buffalo Art Institute and the Albright Art School, helped to create a supportive atmosphere for them.
As the area declined economically, however, fewer working artists could survive here, and people forgot about those who had lived and thrived in the area. That benefited collectors, who could buy at low prices, but it also attracted out-of-town dealers who bought up the good stuff and took it out of the area.
Many Buffalo collectors have amassed works by their favorite notable artists. For various reasons, they fell in love with and continue to search for vintage works. Their methods vary greatly. But almost all collectors agree that collecting is an emotional process, and say that it can become a passion, an obsession ... even an addiction.
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Cuthbert, who amongst her many fans commands an almost mythical reverence, worked here until her death in 2001. Cuthbert’s best friend was artist Martha Visser’t Hooft, who was born into Buffalo’s wealthy Hamlin family. Visser’t Hooft (1906-1994) forged a unique body of work, examples of which were eventually included in the Albright-Knox and Whitney collections. Along with Cuthbert and Charles Burchfield, she is a respected regional modernist with national recognition. “I got to know Martha Visser’t Hooft and her work through her daughter, Martje Moore,” explains Michaels. “I ended up collecting a lot of Visser’t Hooft’s work, and writing a book about her.”
He does admit to an urge to possess. “I’ve gotten used to being surrounded by beautiful things,” Michaels says. “It has become an addiction, one that has spread to my children.” Another of Michaels’s motivations is the preservation of the area’s unique history. “The times that produced these artists and their paintings are part of our heritage,” the collector states. “If the work is not collected locally, we will literally lose that heritage.”
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His personal favorite, and a mainstay of his collection, is Alexander Levy (1881-1947), who lived and worked here, leaving a body of work that is becoming increasingly sought after. Croglio gains much aesthetic and personal pleasure from a good Levy. “His paintings can take you away to another world,” the collector enthuses. “His figurative paintings have a delightful green cast to them.”
“I got a little art background in my early twenties when I worked for [local artist] Tony Sisti,” Croglio remembers. “Regional art fascinates me because of the tons of talent that came out of here; Buffalo was the place to be. Lots of big artists left work here.” However, Croglio comes to the same conclusion that many others have reached: “The problem with Western New York is that there’s not a lot of awareness for local art.”
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Collector Joe Gerace demonstrates this urge to connect with the area through his collection’s specific focus on Buffalo buildings. While he inherited the collecting gene from his mother, Gerace came to his fascination with his surroundings independently. “I bought a great view of Buffalo’s East Side by Joe Eger,” Gerace says. “It suddenly clicked that I wanted to collect regional art depicting Buffalo architecture.
“Once I had one painting, I wanted more,” he continues. “At first it was just houses. I love the vast array of styles. If you look at a grouping of houses built in, say 1885, each of them is different. Modern subdivisions are not as interesting or unique.” For Gerace, layered over his respect for the architecture is his admiration for the artists’ portrayals. “I like the WPA era, 1930s and 1940s, on,” he said. “The buildings are painted somewhat realistically, but have an artistic flair or interpretation. For example, Burchfield would do a stylized version of a chimney, or show just two-thirds of a window.”
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Collector Joe Gerace with two paintings
of St. Michael's by Joseph Eger, 1947 and 1945. Photo by Jim Bush. |
“To become established nationally, a regional artist needs a champion with a vested interest,” said Fedak. “In the same way that Charles Rand Penney wanted to raise public awareness of Charles Burchfield, I’m championing for Vullo.”
Passionate collector Laurie Brosnahan was influenced by her cousin Peter Vogt in her endeavors. But her attraction to and love of the area helped to inform her tastes—and her desire to learn and experience the world through paintings.
“My family has been here many years. My Irish, Republican, suffragette grandmother lived to be ninety-one,” says Brosnahan. “Her great stories about important events like the Pan American exhibit led to my interest in the history of Western New York. When I first began collecting, about twelve years ago, I gravitated toward regional art.” Brosnahan’s collection includes works by early influential Buffalo artists like Burr Nicholls, Evelyn Rumsey Lord, Lars Sellstedt, and Claire Shuttleworth.
Brosnahan adds that, although she does see art as an investment of sorts, it is far from her first thought when she considers buying a painting. “The paintings become almost a part of you; you could become a junkie,” she says. “And I enjoy learning about the artists. The future monetary value may not be huge, nor is it a tremendous motivator for me. It’s something that I can pass on to my children and grandchildren, a legacy. The paintings are part of our family.”
Jana Eisenberg is a freelance arts writer living in Buffalo. She and her husband, Dean Brownrout, who contributed research assistance to this article, collect regional art with a strong focus on Martha Visser’t Hooft’s work. They wish they had more wall space.
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GREAT PLACES TO BUY WORK BY WNY ARTISTS Art Dialogue/WNY Artists Group 1 Linwood Avenue, 885-2251 A terrific source for area artists. Shows change frequently. Buffalo Arts Studio 2495 Main, 833-4450 There are 45 artist studios here as well as changing shows. The motherlode. Dana Tillou 417 Franklin Street, 854-5285 Antiques and choice, historic art. Fineline Gallery 118 Sterling (near Hertel), 838-4411 Excellent print selection and more. Insite Gallery/Bryant Studios/Neighborhood Collective 810 Elmwood, 884-9410 These new additions to the local gallery scene regularly show interesting artists in their handsome, centrally located spaces. Meibohm Fine Arts 478 Main, East Aurora, 652-0940 Always interesting, eclectic shows; a good selection of older works. This is a selective list. You can buy work by WNY artists at almost any gallery or museum (from special exhibitions, not the collection) in the area: check the Spree art listings. Antique shops can also be a good source for older pieces, but buy carefully. —Elizabeth Licata. |
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