ST. BONAVENTURE — The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University is opening two new exhibitions this spring.
“Connectivity,” guest-curated by Gary Keem, a 1969 St. Bonaventure graduate, is on view now through May 15 in the Quick Center’s Dresser Foundation Gallery.
“This exhibition celebrates the relationships of ties that bind formal elements of composition, shape and color,” said Paula Bernstein, assistant director at the Quick Center.
More than 50 pieces are displayed throughout the gallery, many by noted artists Rick Dillingham (1952-1994) and Joseph Orffeo (1926-2013).
Dillingham’s ceramic art was deeply rooted in his profound respect for Native American pottery, particularly that of the Ancestral Puebloans. His signature “broken pot” technique, where he would create, break and then reconstruct vessels, became a powerful expression of this connection. While respecting traditional forms and designs, Dillingham also explored contemporary themes, as illustrated by his “Gas Can” series. In addition to his artistic contributions, he was a respected scholar, curator and collector of Pueblo pottery.
Orffeo’s art masterfully blends abstractionist techniques with modern influences, creating a compelling body of work. His Buffalo origins are evident, reflecting both regional influences and inspiration from artists like Robert Blair and Charles Burchfield. A constant experimenter across various media, Orffeo continually sought new avenues for artistic expression. Exhibitions at respected institutions like the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts and the Smith Art Museum confirm his wider acclaim. His ability to balance abstraction with modernist principles speaks to the evolving trends in mid-20th century American art.
The second exhibition, “Climate Conversations: The Language of Trees,” is an immersive exhibition by Wil Bosbyshell. It opens March 20 and runs through April 5 in the atrium of the Quick Center.
As a youngster, a hiking trip with his family in the mountains of North Carolina launched Bosbyshell’s love of nature. He views trees not as abstract objects but as individual living beings with their own stories. His art seeks to bring these stories to life.
Bosbyshell’s interactive collection features large-scale drawings, one more than 6 feet tall, silk screen monoprints and banners – all of which invite participation. Visitors can touch the fabric tree hangings as they walk through the exhibit, or they can jot down a thought and hang it on the Memory Tree. A poster filled with “tree memories” is free for each visitor.
“My work stems from personal questions and ongoing studies of how nature can serve our needs, and conversely, how we must also meet the needs of the natural environment,” Bosbyshell said.
An opening reception and gallery talk with curator Keem will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in the Dresser Foundation Gallery, and an artist’s drawing session by Bosbyshell will be held at 6 p.m. on March 20 in the atrium. Both events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information about the Quick Center’s exhibitions and programs, visit www.sbu.edu/QuickCenter.
Also, the Reverón Piano Trio will bring under-represented Latin American music to the forefront during their performance at St. Bonaventure University’s Quick Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14.
The trio – Ana María Otamendi, piano; Horatio Contreras, cello; and Simón Gollo, violin – are Venezuelan artists who have made their home in the United States, teaching at the University of Michigan and the University of North Texas. Their main goal is to introduce audiences to under-represented music from Latin America alongside contemporary and standard repertoire.
The performance is presented in association with Friends of Good Music. The Quick Center galleries will open one hour before the performance and remain open through the intermission.Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and SBU employees, and $5 for students. To purchase tickets online visit www.ticketor.com/quickarts/tickets, or call the Quick Center at 716-375-2494.