Castellani Art Museum presents: Beyond Numbers: Mathematical Patterns, Shapes, and Flow

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — This holiday season, Castellani Art Museum invites you to experience Beyond Numbers: Mathematical Patterns, Shapes and Flow, a captivating exhibition that explores the profound connection between art and mathematics. Curated by Niagara University students from Dr. Maritza M. Branker’s Foundations of Mathematics and Senior Mathematics Seminar classes, the exhibition will open with a public reception on Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. and will remain on view through March 30, 2025. Featuring selections from the Museum’s permanent collection, including works by renowned artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Charles Ephraim Burchfield, Frank Stella, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, and Sol LeWitt, Beyond Numbers reveals the beauty, creativity, and wonder embedded in mathematical principles. Often seen as abstract or intimidating, math is reimagined here as a source of inspiration, artistry, and discovery.

Through the lens of student curators, Beyond Numbers bridges the perceived gap between mathematics’ logical rigor and art’s free-flowing creativity. By showcasing the aesthetic and structural parallels between these fields, the exhibition invites visitors to rethink math as a creative force that shapes how we understand and interpret the world. “Art and mathematics are both necessary for human flourishing,” explained Branker. “They satisfy our desire for play, exploration and beauty. Mathematical concepts have greatly influenced how we view, create, and value art, while mathematicians often describe their work with notions of beauty, simplicity, and order.”

The student curators drew inspiration from readings in their coursework, including “Letters to a Young Mathematician” by Ian Stewart and “Mathematics for Human Flourishing” by Francis Su. These books explore how mathematical thinking enriches daily life and helps us see the world through a lens of beauty and meaning. The students’ work reflects these themes, offering a fresh and accessible perspective on math’s role in art. 

Beyond Numbers is a testament to the dedication and creativity of student curators, including Patrick Balcacer, Ella DiFlavio, Morgan Fitzpatrick, Jeffrey Koch, Madison LaPenta, Maia MacLean, Madison Manzella, Allison Mariglia, Michael Mayer, Julie Myers, Soley Peart, Madelynn Zilka, Paige Bronson, Malarie Carroll, Dominic Ciraolo, Kristen Coghlan, Anna Esposito, Alana Hall, Samantha Hare, Justiss Kovack, Thomas Latimer, Adrian Martinez, Kyle Mullin, Nicole Peunic, Matthew Ponce, Gavin Rice, Gabriela Vaquero, Dean Walck, and Jeremy Waters. Under the guidance of Dr. Branker and Michael Beam, their insights provide a fresh and engaging perspective on the interplay between art and mathematics.

Featured artists include Herbert Aach, Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz, Giacomo Balla, Feliciano Bejar, Max Bill, Charles Ephraim Burchfield, Alexander Calder, Genevieve Claisse, Betty Gold, Dwayne Hatchett, Barbara Hepworth, Alfred Jensen, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, Andrew Topolski, Henk Peeters, Kees Schippers, Frank Stella, James Surls, Ernest Trova, and John Willenbecher.For more information about Beyond Numbers and other upcoming events, visit www.castellaniartmuseum.org or contact the museum directly.