The Daily Bulletin Archive

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center needs to move plenty of items to its new building this summer. But for Director Ted Pietrzak, transporting artworks and archives is a small factor in preparations.

“Moving things from one building to another is not as worrisome to me as other tasks,” said Pietrzak. “There are other issues like how to best use the exhibition spaces, focusing on educational programs, our retail operations, food services, security, custodial needs, training volunteers, and setting the right policies. These are the things that can keep me awake at night.”

With all this, the Burchfield-Penney must relocate more than 7,500 works of art, 25,000 drawings and sketches by Charles Burchfield, and thousands of archival files. Administrative files, computer equipment, and furniture are among the many items that also need to move from the third floor of Rockwell Hall across Rockwell Road to the new museum.

The Burchfield-Penney staff will delicately but systematically transport works of art and other items. Paintings will be wrapped in special plastic and acid-free paper, while insulated cases and bubble wrap will protect sculptures. A few items that are too wide for certain passageways in Rockwell Hall will need to be moved via alternative routes.

Fortunately, three factors bode well for the upcoming move: First, the new center will be transferred to Buffalo State on or around July 25. The move will occur shortly thereafter, meaning the staff will have warm weather for their work. Second, an elaborate inventory system is in place to ensure that all items are accounted for. Third, plans are already finalized for where to place artwork in the new center.

“This will be much more complex than doing a typical home move,” said Pietrzak, “because we have to outfit the space with new equipment and furnishings at the same time.”

To celebrate its remaining days in Rockwell Hall, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center will host RendezBlue, a four-day series of free events from February 28 to March 2 that includes lectures, film screenings, workshops, a panel discussion, a happy hour, and a closing party. The Rockwell Hall location will officially close on March 3.

However, from March 3 until the anticipated October 17 opening of the new center, the Burchfield-Penney will remain active in the community. It will cohost two concerts with Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in April, conclude an ongoing satellite exhibition at the M&T Bank Fountain Plaza location on May 23, collaborate with CEPA Gallery for an exhibition in June, and work with Squeaky Wheel to host an animation festival in front of Rockwell Hall in July.

Once the new center opens, Pietrzak promises, students, faculty, and staff will be in for a treat.

“The new building will be a remarkable instrument and platform for learning,” he said.

Three “learning labs,” located side by side, will face the campus. One is a collections study area that will include special display cases, computers, projectors, and other advanced equipment for secure viewing of artwork from the collections. Next door will be an art workshop classroom designed to help students learn to effectively teach art. Next to that, the “Useum”—an interactive space where children and adults learn about art through play—will allow students to assemble interactive exhibits for the type of learning that requires movement and engagement.

Directly across the hall will be a 156-seat auditorium, which will include an intimate space with enhanced acoustics for lectures, performances, panel discussions, poetry readings, and various types of presentations. In addition, the building’s second floor will include an art conservation lab, which Pietrzak says will be used in close conjunction with Buffalo State’s Art Conservation Department.

“The new center will be an exceptional functional space and learning lab that will allow generations of students to practically apply theories learned in the classroom,” said Pietrzak. “This museum will support Buffalo State’s goal of achieving national distinctiveness.”