Art in the Open Program 2025

Join us for Art in the Open, a free event that invites the community to explore UB’s vibrant arts scene and experience how art is made at UB.

Guests have the chance to meet university artists and go behind the scenes to get a glimpse of works in progress. Enjoy live music and dance performances, explore exhibitions, tour studios, view films and more! 

Presented by the Center for the Arts in collaboration with the departments of Art, Arts Management, UB Art Galleries, Media Study, Music, and Theatre and Dance.

This event is FREE and open to University at Buffalo students, faculty, staff and the public.

Enjoy FREE Refreshments as you mingle with fellow art enthusiasts, creators, and performers (while supplies last).

Evening Performances

5:00 p.m.        Doors and Studios Open

• Enjoy dance, music and musical theatre performances
• Explore studios, performance, art-making spaces, and labs
• Visit art exhibitions, installations, and wall murals
• Tour backstage spaces
• View films and digital projects

7:00 p.m.        Special Guest Performance by art-rock band Lazlo Hollyfeld 

• Join the artists, meet fellow UB community members and guests

For more information, please contact the Center for the Arts at ubcfa@buffalo.edu.

5:00 p.m.        Selections from Urinetown, Musical Theatre, Department of Theatre and Dance

Music, Lyrics, and Book by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis
Music Director and Piano Accompaniment: Matt Marco
Director: Doug Weyand
Performed by Abby Tyler, Bob Bartolotta, Garrett Flick, Caroline Jameson, Alex Louis, Ryan Butler, and company

5:25 p.m.        Jazz Quartet, Department of Music

Performers: Jack Chadwick, Evan Schwartz, Eric Aquilina, Austin Higgins
Music: “Contusion” by Stevie Wonder, “Spain” by Chick Corea

5:40 p.m.        Step Up To The Front, Zodiaque Dance Company, Department of Theatre and Dance

Choreography by Rebekah Bono in collaboration with the dancers
Costumes by Violet Schraver
Music: “Step Up to the Front” by Leigh Gracie, “Move on Up” by Curtis Mayfield, “If You Want
Me to Stay” by Sly & The Family Stone, “Stomp!” by The Brothers Johnson
Dancers: Nathan Eck, Lauren Guarna, Ella Hankinson, Jenna Hartke, Grace Rezin, Violet Schraver, Audree Woods (Understudy: Ava Crean)
Program Note: It’s okay to DANCE

5:55 p.m.        The Conductors Cognition, Choreographers Showcase, Department of Theatre and Dance

Choreography by Jenna Hartke
Music by Travis Lake, Christopher Filippi, Dom Dolla
Dancers: Violet Schraver, Amanda Hatfield, Rachel Hunt, Kendra Jones, Kasey MacDonald, Abby Postle, Kira Sethi

6:10 p.m.        Guitar & Cello Duet, Department of Music 

Performers: Eli Wardlaw, John Martell
Music: Cafe 1930 for Guitar and Cello Duet by Astor Piazolla, Tarentelle by J.K. Mertz

6:25 p.m.        Consumed by the Rhythm, Choreographers Showcase, Department of Theatre and Dance

Choreography by Grace Rezin and Audree Woods
Music by Viktor Lazlo Buscemi
Dancers: Kira Sethi, Marjorie Charles, Lauren Jezioro, Annabella Hopkins, Kelly Root, Lilly Schlegel, Amanda Hatfield, Danielle Sapor 

6:40 p.m.        Homecoming of the Queens, Zodiaque Dance Company, Department of Theatre and Dance

Choreography: Arianna Dixie
Costumes: Erinn Cosgrove
Music: “Lose My Breath”, “Diva”, “Bow Down” by Beyoncé
Dancers: Vic Bruce, Erinn Cosgrove, Lauren Guarna, Mackenzie Leone, Selena Pereyra, Ariana Parsons, Abby Postle, Violet Schraver, Adriana Vetcha, Audree Woods, Jasmine White, Grace Wythe (Understudy: Ella Hankinson)

7:00 p.m.        Musical Headliner: Lazlo Hollyfeld

102 – Martha Jackson in Paris, Martha Jackson – UB Art Galleries, First Floor Gallery

Drawing from UB’s archives, the exhibition highlights an exploration of how Buffalo-born gallerist Martha Jackson fostered a network of postwar artists whose relationships and practices converged in Paris.

130A – Ellis Regan, MFA

133A – Sudi Wang, MFA

155 – Heart Stained Noire, Esrat Hossain and Vivien Ngo – UB Department of Art, Project Space

Artworks depicting various forms of love with dark undertones. Featuring a reception from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Selections from the Media Study Club

A showreel of undergraduate work by members of the Media Study Club organized by club president, undergrad Amber Manto. Featuring: A Century Ago by Ethan Tyger, Analog by Amber Manto, Antpocalypse Now by Ethan Tyger, Crazier by Angel Aponte, E-Money by Jadyn Hardy, House by Ryan Hick, Improvcore by Jadyn Hardy, Light Journal by Jacob Burgin, Understand Me by Amber Manto, Mr. Brick's Downer by Ethan Tyger, PSA AI by Jadyn Hardy, and Lightsaber Battle by Jacob Burgin.

201 – Bits by Bits: Six Artists from Buffalo’s Progressive Studio – UB Art Galleries, Second Floor Gallery

This exhibition features work by six artists from Starlight Studio and Art Gallery, a progressive Buffalo-based studio supporting adults with disabilities in developing independent art practices.

207B – Roscoe Duquette

209 – Isabelle Janssen

211 – Helen Lin

212A – Deirdre Harder

212B – Reese Betts

214A – Eugene Sims

214B – Darmelle Esterlin

216 – Marjan Khorramgolkaran

217 – Teju Abiola

219A – Caitlin Andrejova

219B – Isabella Rosenthal

207 A – Max Kelly Flanigan, Jack-Henry Fricon

213 – Ray Kaminski, Eeman Khan, Yilin Li, Kaixin Lu, Matthew Murphy, Crystal Poon, Shannon Purcell, Jay Sorrentino, Thomas Walsh, Angelina Weaver, Jiaye You

215 – Desislava Furber, Sydney Jackson, Justin Jimenez, Katie Pohlman, Allyce Simmons, Jessica Stratton, Lily McDonough

235 – Amatryx Game Night & Showcase

Organized by Prof. Cody Mejeur, Amatryx is an open lab with members showcasing their games, interactive media, and other projects. Featured games include Paradise Theatre by Tom Kline, A Heavy Morning by Mays Dweiri, and Distractions by Mays Dweiri. 

235 – Advanced Virtual Reality, DMS 439 Student VR Showcase

Organized by Professor Dave Pape and PhD Famous Clark. Featuring: Blitzerclad byKevin Chan, Attack On Titan Simulator by Nicole Oszczypala, One Last Favor by Patrick Shea, The Beauty of Nature by John Zhang, VR Horror Game by Marat Arutunian, VR Home Project by James Carrington, VR Western Shooter by Nick Cross

285D – Open Studios: MFA student James Pardue

B19 – Audie D'Amico, Howell Phillips

B20 – Gardner Astalos, Tristan Walbesser

B21 – Richard Tomasello

B35 – John Mack

B36 – Doğa Ertekin

B37 – Linoleum Block Printing Demonstration

B41 – Print Making Demonstration

B45 – Social Minimalism, Exhibition Preview – UB Department of Art, Lower Gallery 

An exclusive preview of Social Minimalism, a group exhibition curated by Professor Theo. Triandos opening Nov. 6. 

Drama Theatre – Bright Minds, Greener Stages, Professor Lynne Koscielniak (THD) and Kacey Stewart (EVS)

Students in EVS 311: Sustainability Methods partner with students from TH433: Lighting Design to explore ways to reduce energy consumption in their light plots inspired by The Great Lakes Climate Theatre Initiative.

Costume Shop – B88/91 – Behind the Seams, Assistant Teaching Professor Max Levitt (THD)

Swing by to see stunning costume designs from Zodiaque Dance Company’s 51st Season and get an exclusive preview of Urinetown, The Musical (Nov. 6–9, CFA Black Box). 

Scene Shop – B77 – Backstage Buzz: Scene Shop Open House, Scene Shop Associate Hannah D’Elia (THD)

Come explore where the magic gets built! Tour the paint floor, assembly zone, cut shop, and welding area—and check out prop artisan work on display. Get a look at the tools and materials that turn imagination into reality.