Art at the Intersection of Culture and Spirituality

By Nicole Murray In the same way that western music has its roots in religious tradition, the interconnectedness between religion and art has been symbiotic; both evolving codependently to reflect social, cultural, and technological changes over time. Though the study of religion is mostly accomplished through text, the aesthetic qualities of religious artwork have remained [...]

Art at the Intersection of Culture and Spirituality2021-12-17T09:33:29-05:00

The Importance of Creating Spaces for Indigenous Artists

by Nicole Murray We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and honor the sovereignty of the Six Nations – Seneca, Tuscarora, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk – and their land on which we are situated and doing our work today. We want to demonstrate respect for the [...]

The Importance of Creating Spaces for Indigenous Artists2021-11-22T11:00:28-05:00

Spotlight On Inclusivity in the Arts

by Nicole Murray For this month’s spotlight, I had the opportunity to visit two organizations whose focus is inclusivity in the arts to speak with the artists about their projects. The talented artists at Starlight Studio and Art Gallery and the dazzling cast, staff, and writers at Unique Theatre Company are both creating captivating works [...]

Spotlight On Inclusivity in the Arts2021-10-26T16:00:36-04:00

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!

by Nicole Murray Hispanic Heritage Month is the annual celebration of the history and culture of the Hispanic and Latin communities in the United States. The tradition began in 1968 as “Hispanic Heritage Week '' under Lyndon B. Johnson and later expanded to encompass a month-long span, September 15th to October 15th, under Ronald Regan [...]

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!2021-09-28T09:25:44-04:00

Lifelong Learning in the Arts

by Nicole Murray Back-to-school season is just around the corner and already backpacks and school supplies line the shelves at local department stores. The start of a new school year is the traditional signifier of a clean slate and an opportunity for self improvement for students from elementary school through college, but what about the [...]

Lifelong Learning in the Arts2021-08-23T10:23:25-04:00

EXPRESS YOURSELF: Finding Purpose Through Art

by Nicole Murray Art in its truest form is a means of self-expression which is why those who identify as LGBTQIA+ often turn to the arts as a safe outlet for exploring and questioning self-identity, gender roles, and sexuality. (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Agender, with the “+” used as [...]

EXPRESS YOURSELF: Finding Purpose Through Art2021-06-21T09:07:28-04:00

Building Community Through the Arts

By Tessa Pszonak, Jess Trainor, and Holly Grant By definition, a community is a social unit united by a shared geographic location and/or commonality.  In a region as diverse as Western New York, there are many arts and cultural organizations whose work provides this 'community' space for the immigrant, refugee, and newly arrived populations. This [...]

Building Community Through the Arts2021-05-24T16:04:33-04:00

Mental Health: How the Arts Can Help

By Tessa Pszonak and Jess Trainor We all know the pandemic has negatively affected people’s mental health and created new barriers for those already suffering from mental illness. For April’s spotlight, we wanted to highlight the work of those who are using the arts to help alleviate general and mental health challenges within the community, [...]

Mental Health: How the Arts Can Help2021-04-21T11:52:01-04:00
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