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Section: Artful Shopping
Artful Shopping the wow! factor
By Colleen Maroney Fahey
It is getting to be that time of year again. The festive overindulgence of Thanksgiving dining will soon be a fading memory—pushed aside by that odious phrase—holiday shopping! Does the idea of stalking shoppers for their soon-to-be-vacated parking space, just so you can find the perfect red sweater for Uncle Ned or the latest over-priced electrical gadget for grandson Joseph, have you feeling a bit, well, unenthused? Are you as bored with giving Grampa that bottle of Old Spice as he is to receive it?
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Marbles from the Historical Society's gift shop.
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Working on the assumption that most gift receivers love to be surprised, and that, let’s face it, you might as well please yourself, because there is probably only a 50/50 chance that you’ll please anyone else on your list, this year buy what you’d want. What delights you. What wakes up your creative gift giving side—the side that says “Wow! I wish someone would give me that” or “Wow! That’s so cool.”
This might be the time to re-invent your gift list. A time to feed your soul and become—the Artful Shopper.
And the best place to do this is a little triangle of very different but very interesting little shops, found in the heart of Buffalo’s Museum District—inside the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.
According to the Museum Store Association, an international organization established in 1955, to assist museum store professionals worldwide by encouraging high standards of professional competence and conduct, museums have included retail operations on some scale since the 1890’s. These stores play a vital role in supporting the institution’s educational mission, offering products that provide visitors with mementos and educational materials directly related to their museum experience. In addition purchases made at museum stores provide important financial support for the institution. The “profits” made by museum stores go back to the museum, not a company or individual’s pocket. Unlike a typical mall experience, museum store shopping is an extension of the unique museum experience.
But best of all for you, the jaded holiday shopper, yearning for a new and creative solution to the holiday giving madness, this artful “mini-mall” on Elmwood Avenue offers the Wow! Factor.
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Jeff Brewer's Rocket Scultures from the
Albright-Knox's gift shop
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And who better to start with than Jeffrey Fields, the new manager of the shop at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. It was he who first introduced me to the concept of the Wow! Factor. Formerly of the galleries at Princeton and the University of Wyoming, Jeffrey came to the Albright in early September and hit the ground running. I talked with him a few days prior to a four-day shut down, where they plan on re-configuring the existing space; re-opening on October 29th, with, according to Fields, an “emphasis on creativity, unusual collectibles and cutting edge, funky products.” Although the shop couldn’t change its square footage, the improved design and layout, along with extended inventory will all add up to that desired “Wow!”
“The quality of the products in the store should be reflective of the quality of the work found on the walls inside the gallery—our aim is to be equal to that of the institution,” said Fields. “To offer items as wonderful and unusual as what is displayed in the gallery—that is our mission. There needs to be some relevance to the collection, not just to sell stuff.”
But what wonderful stuff they have to sell. Exclusive gifts found only at a handful of European and national galleries or high-end gift shops, such as Jasper Morrison’s contemporary white and brushed stainless steel toaster guaranteed not only to warm your bread but soothe your creative soul; as will Middle Kingdom’s delicate porcelain tea sets or Chihuly’s signed, “Studio Editions.”
On the funky side is the historical and contemporary graphic symbolisms of Ryan McGuiness’ soccer balls (although at $165 a pop you might think twice before you bring it to the park); on the practical side—the Josef Albers inspired drink coasters, and Twist, the odd little stainless steel whisk. And, hard to believe, those $11 colored rocks are quite hard to resist.
The store will continue to offer an extensive collection of art books, holiday cards and graphically inspired wrapping paper. They are also Buffalo’s number one source of the Hipster Music Collection—offering specialized compilations from Doris Day, to cool jazz, to Buddha Bar (Asian inspired music from the glitzy Paris nightspot, Buddha Bar, known for its signature ambient environment).
And to perk up the weary shopper you might want to consider a small expresso sampler of what is considered the world's best coffee, Illy—direct from Italy. And what better gift to pump out this renewing jolt of java but the colorful Frances!Frances! Expresso machine—right into a Jeff Koon’s limited edition demitasse cup.
Jeffrey Fields’ vision seems to be another extension of the gallery’s new face—the re-configuration of the gallery’s collections and interior space and the exciting and wildly successful, Friday night “Gusto At The Gallery.” With the opening of its new shop the Albright-Knox continues to shake off it stuffy trappings, reaching out to a new audience with a new attitude.
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Notecard from the new Burchfield Holiday
Cards boxed set: Bringing in the Christmas
Trees by Charles E. Burchfield.
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Right across the street from the Albright, on the Buffalo State Campus, sits Rockwell Hall, since 1966 the home of the Burchfield-Penney Art Gallery. The gallery is named after one of America’s most original artists and Buffalo’s favorite artistic son, famed watercolorist Charles Burchfield (1893-1967), best known for his romantic and sometimes fantastic depictions of nature. In the early 90’s the museum received a series of gifts of more than 1,300 works by Western New York artists from local philanthropist and art collector, Charles Rand Penney, Ph.D. His gift was of such significance that the Burchfield Art Center was renamed the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. Possibly the most important element of Penney’s gift was 183 works by Charles Burchfield. The Burchfield-Penney Art Center now possesses the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of Burchfield’s art, as well as the archival materials, studio objects and memorabilia that reflect the artist’s life.
Today, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and to the promotion and exhibition of distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State.
The gallery store reflects this mission—more than 2/3 of their products are made by local artists. And what a selection! From the strangely whimsical but beautiful ceramic creations of Carrianne Hendrickson to the mixed media wall sculptures of Diane Baker, the store offers a wonderful mixed bag of gift possibilities, at a wide range of prices. For a few dollars, shoppers can cork any bottle with Missy Crowell’s fanciful bottle stoppers from her “Rooster Ridge II” collection; and at $1400, Tracy Fiegl’s exquisite table—“Bavarian Fudge Torte”—of Wedge Veneer & Maple would be a centerpiece in any home. If jewelry is on your gift list, check out Liaung-Chung Yen’s wearable ”reminders” pins, or Julie Duax-Skop’s elegant glass creations. The shop also offer posters, books, cards, and many items that celebrate the work of Charles E. Burchfield including boxed cards, eyeglass cases, umbrellas, and matching totebags with Charles Burchfield wallpaper printed on them. You’ll also find messenger bags, purses, and cosmetic bags that are one-of-a-kind made from Burchfield-Penney Art Center banners and billboards.
Julie Ann Davis, Retail Sales Manager/ Business Assistant in charge of the Gallery Shop is very enthusiastic about the Gallery’s Fall Artist Showcase where each Sunday, right up until Christmas, a local artist brings in their work-—sort of a like a trunk show. Visitors get the opportunity to speak with the artists and ask them about their work, and the artists get to bring in a larger sampling of the items they make. “The Burchfield-Penney Museum Store might not have enough room to display all of the items an artist might have, or the artists work in several different mediums and we only carry one, and this gives them a chance to let visitors see a full range of styles,” says Julie.
The scheduled artists and dates are listed on their website: www.burchfield-penney.org where a limited amount of merchandise can also be viewed and ordered by emailing Julie directly.
This is a gallery which takes the time to find those artists which represent the best of Western New York. Davis says she finds artists in different ways, “sometimes the artists come to me, other times I will see someone’s work at an art festival or craft show and feel it really fits into our mission, other times artists are recommended to me. I look for things that are new and different. In any case the artist must have a connection to Western New York and the work must be of the best quality.”
It seems to me that they certainly have fulfilled their mission.
The last but certainly not least point on our shopping expedition is the lovely gift shop at the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Museum a short walk over the expressway to the corner of Nottingham and Elmwood. This is the place to visit, particularly if you have displaced Buffalonians on your list who are missing what they have left behind.
Shop Manager Mary Louise Stanley feels herself very fortunate “I have a great job, I get to shop for a store!” And what wonderful things she has found, most everything has some sort of Buffalo connection, or relationship to one of their historical exhibits. There is a wealth of Victorian items, from delicate Tea Sets, both for children and adults, to selected China tableware, to silver—spoons, letter openers, magnifying glasses and serving pieces.
This store probably has the widest range of affordable items, from clever little Toile “Writer Blocks” complete with matching pens, to a wide array of Olmsted inspired ties, scarves and picture frames. Stanley’s eye for anything Buffalo includes charming Wizard of Oz magnets in celebration of Harold Arlen’s upcoming 100th Birthday as well as Pierce Arrow, Erie Canal and Frank Lloyd Wright artifacts, gift items and memorabilia.
If children are on your list—this is where you’ll find wonderful little “stocking-stuffers” all with an old world twist—slate boards, finger tops, cloth dolls and even wooden nickels. More importantly there is a wide variety and range of books for all ages, even those hard-to-find chapter books for pre-teens.
In fact there are books here for everyone on your list. Wonderful coffee table books such as Classic Buffalo, to a wide array of acclaimed novels written by local writers, such as Verlyn Klinkerborg’s The Last Fine Time; and the novel that is enjoying a national buzz, Nancy Reisman’s The First Desire.
And don’t miss the museum’s Shopstravaganza! on Wednesday, December 1st from 5-8pm. Local authors will be onsite all evening to personalize our gift book purchases. Collectibles, posters, notecards, books, jewelry, souvenir items—even memories of Crystal Beach and Buffalo’s BiCentennial Celebration can be picked up for that history buff on your list. There will also be a trunk show by Traveling Picture Show who designs all occasion cards using images of Buffalo past.
From paperweights, to aprons, to brass buffalo key rings—this is the place to come to for that little reminder of home, especially for those who won’t be coming home for the holidays.
Just a reminder —there is never an admission charged for visitors who are just shopping at these gallery and museum stores. And if you’re hungry, don’t forget to stop by the Albright-Knox’s beautiful Garden Restaurant for a quick lunch or leasurely dinner overlooking the Sculpture Garden. And for a few dollars extra, no one will blame you if you spend a little time feeding your new-found creative soul, by taking in a show or two. Wow!
Note: This is only a small sampling of the wonders that await the gallery shopper—just about every WNY gallery or museum offers a fine selection of unique items for the holiday shopper—check it out!
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