Visiting Buffalo's Museums and Galleries: Explore Storied Culture in the City of Light

Buffalo is a treasure trove of cultural experiences if you know where to look. Maureen Littlejohn recently visited Buffalo, and she’s here with an in-depth guide on the galleries and museums that you should prioritize on your next visit.

The Courtyard at the AKG Art Museum. Photo Credit: AKG Art Museum

As Torontonian, nearby Buffalo has always fascinated me. I remember being a little girl and listening to the Channel 7 News with anchor and broadcasting legend Irv Weinstein. Buffalo, even though it was close, seemed so exotic.

In the 1980s, my friends and I would pile in someone’s dad’s station wagon and head over the border to eat chicken wings at Anchor Bar, drink cheap beer, and paw our way through shelves of used vinyl in the student ghetto of Elmwood. We always came back with a gem or two for our turntables.

This was also when I learned that Buffalo was home to works by some of the biggest names in the modern art world.

What Buffalo Museums and Galleries Should You Have on Your Radar?

Buffalo has a vibrant and thriving art and gallery scene that continues to grow and evolve. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage and a supportive community for the arts. Here are some of the sites you’ll want to prioritize on your next visit.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery (now the Buffalo AKG Art Museum)

The AKG Museum is excited about their recent renovations, and you should be, too. Photo Credit: AKG Museum

Those early forays were when I was first introduced to the Albright-Knox Gallery. One of my pals was in art school and would guide us into the exhibit halls to see the bold works by abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock, De Kooning, and Louise Nevelson.

I have been in love with the gallery ever since.

The Albright-Knox is one of the oldest museums dedicated to contemporary art in the nation, and the sixth-oldest public art institution in the United States. Its got more than 150 years of collecting visionary work under its belt.

I was thrilled to hear that, after a COVID-timed closure to refresh and rebuild, the newly titled Buffalo AKG Art Museum would be opening its doors again this summer.

Wanting to be ahead of the curve, I headed to the museum for a hard-hat tour with Andrew Mayer, Manager of Marketing and Media Relations.

He showed me the astounding Town Square, a glass-paned art installation converting the former courtyard into a covered gathering place. Created by Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann the piece is called “Common Sky.”

The other new showstopper I observed was the Gundlach Building, which connects by a bridge to the original, 1905 Wilmers Building. The $65 million glass and marble addition has 30,000 square feet of exhibit space and will house a sculpture terrace and coffee and wine bar on the second floor. Not to be outdone, the Wilmers Building was sandblasted back to a shining white and received a magnificent new copper roof.

“We have 7,500 pieces in our collection. The new building doubles our space and now we’ll be able to display so much more,” confirmed Mayer.

An anchor for the city’s cultural scene, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum is nothing short of a heavyweight.

Burchfield Penney Art Center

I am drawn to this gallery for its community-mindedness, beautiful, soothing design, and, most of all, for its namesake. Charles E. Burchfield was an artist who communed with nature, felt visual art was attuned to music, and constantly wrote small snippets on scraps of paper to buoy his spirits.

Burchfield’s work can be seen in galleries around the world, but this one holds the largest public collection including watercolors (his main medium), 25,000 drawings, and 10,000 notes. Plus, there’s a full-scale re-creation of his studio.

To walk me through the gallery, I was joined by Tullis Johnson, the center’s Curator, and Manager of Collections and Exhibitions.

“Watercolors were like breathing for him,” he explained.

Born in Ohio in 1893, Burchfield moved to Buffalo in 1921 to design wallpaper for M.H. Birge & Sons Company. He began to paint full-time in 1929 when a New York gallery began representing him. He began to win awards and in 1937 Life Magazine declared that he was one of America’s 10 Best Painters.

Burchfield’s work is predominately landscapes that move from country forests to urban industrial scenes. Some are bursting with nature, others ragged and dark. I found they often veered into the mystical.

He had a love of Sibelius and often included sound in his pictures in the way of visual forms, such as insects, thunder, or the little chorus frogs known as spring peepers.

“They are audio cryptograms,” explained Johnson.

Burchfield was ahead of his time when it came to the environmental movement. He read Silent Spring by Rachel Carsen. And he was able to see the sublime in not only nature but also industrial forms.

The gallery also features the works of other Western New York artists, does workshops with local school children, and offers special exhibits of local Buffalo creators.

The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum

There are some very photogenic vintage cars here, as you might imagine. Photo Credit: Maureen Littlejohn

An old-style vehicle museum, this is more of a collection. Mostly cars, but also bicycles and motorcycles. It’s not full of flashy multi-media exhibits. But, every time you look around, you’ll see something amazing out of the corner of your eye. And right dead in front of you as well.

Housed in a former Mack Truck showroom and repair shop, the museum showcases co-founder Jim Sandoro and his wife Mary Ann’s passion for the past 45 years. The Sandoros have more than 120 cars in their collection, including the luxurious, Buffalo-built Pierce-Arrow. They even have Frank Lloyd Wright’s gas station assembled inside – designed for Darwin Martin (owner of the FLW Martin House in Buffalo), it was supposed to go on the corner of Cherry Street and Michigan Avenue where Darwin owned a filling station. It was never built because Wright wanted too much money, even though he owed Martin a bundle.

This summer, the most exciting car to see is the most famous car in the world, the original Thomas Flyer, winner of the 1908 New York to Paris Race Round the World. Made in Buffalo, it was the first hot rod of its kind and was driven by the city’s George Shuster. It will be there until August 6th.

Buffalo History Museum

The only building made to last from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, this gorgeous building is filled with the city’s ephemera. There’s an Apostolic Clock in the front lobby as you enter. Hand-carved by Buffalo resident Myles Hughes, it was donated to the museum before he died in 1923. Watch closely and you’ll see the figures of Christ and the 12 apostles come into action at the top and bottom of the hour. One apostle (we know which one) turns away when greeting Jesus and make sure to keep your eyes open for the little red-horned creature watching.

Outside the grounds are a treat for walking or picnicking. Come in spring and you’ll see clouds of pink flowers during the cherry blossom festival.

“This is the cultural corner of a great American city, with the Albright-Knox, the nearby Martin House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and this museum,” explained Brian Hayden, the museum’s director of communications and community engagement who kindly gave me a tour of the building.

I learned that during the 1880s and ‘90s, the city was home to 60 millionaires – more per capita than any other American city. Black-and-white photos of Delaware Avenue showed it in its heyday, with mansions lining the blocks. Now a historic district, there are only a few of the grand old residences intact.

Hayden informed me that two presidents were from Buffalo, Grover Cleveland, and Millard Fillmore. Plus, Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated in the city right after William McKinley was assassinated in 1901 during one of his appearances at the Pan-American Exposition. The museum even has on display the Iver-Johnson revolver he was killed with.

History comes in many forms, and one of the most popular, and permanent, exhibits is Icons: The Makers and Moments of Buffalo Sports.

Two Other Arty Sites of Note in the City

Silo City Reading Series – Located in a row of monumental grain silos along the Buffalo River, this is an annual festival of poets and musicians who share their works in an unusual and captivating environment. June through August, usually on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re headed here, consider also visiting Duende at Silo City, the well known bar and event space.

K Art – Opened in 2020, this all-Indigenous art gallery was founded by Dave Kimelberg of the Seneca Nation. The creations of artists such as Peter Jemison, Matthew Kirk, and Saif Azzuz line the walls, and one gallery in the space is dedicated to Kimelberg’s brother Michael who was an artist and CEO of the Seneca Nation.

What Other Cultural Sites & Events in Buffalo Are Worth Noting?

The artsy Elmwood neighbourhood. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell

Buffalo Arts Studio: Buffalo Arts Studio is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable studio space to local artists. It also hosts exhibitions and public programs, allowing visitors to engage with the artists and their creative processes.
CEPA Gallery: CEPA Gallery is a contemporary photography and visual arts center. It exhibits both local and international artists and encourages experimentation and innovation in the field of photography. The gallery also offers photography workshops and educational programs.
Explore & More Children's Museum: While primarily a children's museum, Explore & More also has an emphasis on art and creativity. It features interactive exhibits where children can engage in hands-on art activities and learn about various art forms. If it’s a more classic children’s museum you’re after, focused primarily on play, then consider Explore & More: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum.
Allentown First Fridays: Allentown, a historic neighborhood in Buffalo, hosts a popular monthly event called "First Fridays." On the first Friday of each month, galleries, boutiques, and shops in the area open their doors to the public. Visitors can explore art exhibits, enjoy live music, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the neighborhood.
Elmwood Avenue: Elmwood Avenue is known for its eclectic mix of art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. It's a hub for local artists and often hosts art walks and festivals that showcase the work of emerging talents. If you’re interested in staying in Elmwood, consider the InnBuffalo Off Elmwood.
Buffalo Niagara Art Association: The Buffalo Niagara Art Association is an organization dedicated to promoting visual arts in the Buffalo-Niagara region. It hosts juried exhibitions, art classes, and workshops, providing opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and connect with other artists.
Buffalo Museum of Science: The Buffalo Museum of Science is a fascinating institution that explores the wonders of science, natural history, and technology. It offers interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and a collection that spans geology, paleontology, astronomy, and more. The museum also frequently hosts special events and traveling exhibitions.
Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park: This museum is a must-visit for history and military enthusiasts. The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park is located at Canalside and displays decommissioned naval vessels, including the USS Little Rock, USS Croaker, and USS The Sullivans. Visitors can explore the ships, learn about their history, and gain insights into military service.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site: Housed in the Wilcox Mansion, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site offers a glimpse into American history. This museum tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt's inauguration as the 26th President of the United States, featuring exhibits that chronicle his life and presidency.
Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University: Although technically located in nearby Niagara Falls, the Castellani Art Museum is worth mentioning due to its close proximity to Buffalo. The museum focuses on contemporary and modern art and houses a diverse collection that includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, and folk art.
Public Art: Buffalo is home to numerous public art installations and murals throughout the city. From large-scale sculptures to colorful murals, public art adds vibrancy and character to various neighborhoods, creating an immersive art experience for residents and visitors alike. So, keep you eyes open when you’re walking around, as you never know what you’ll come across.

The ever popular Buffalo mural in North Buffalo. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell

The city's commitment to the arts, coupled with its supportive community and growing cultural initiatives, make it an exciting destination for art lovers and artists alike. And, as you can see, there’s also no shortage of sites to visit for the museum lovers who have yet to step foot in the City of Light.