“Learning to Fly” by Barbra Fox
Photo courtesy of Avery Braswell
BY: AVERY BRASWELL, STAFF WRITER
Nestled in the heart of campus, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University offers students, faculty and visitors a chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in creativity, culture and history. Often overlooked, this vibrant space is more than just a collection of paintings and sculptures—it’s a hub for inspiration, conversation and learning.
The Quick Center museum showcases a variety of works, from classical pieces to contemporary installations, highlighting both global influences and, more importantly, local talent. Each exhibit is thoughtfully curated to encourage visitors to explore new ideas and connect with the stories behind the art. For students, it provides a unique opportunity to see firsthand what they might be studying, bringing abstract concepts to life in a tangible way.
Beyond the exhibits, the Quick Center offers workshops, guest lectures and student-led events that make art accessible and interactive. Whether it’s a hands-on art-making session, a discussion with an emerging artist, or a musical number being put on by fellow classmates, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Despite its already plentiful wealth of offerings, the museum is eager to welcome more visitors and increase campus engagement. Students and staff are encouraged to explore the space, attend events or even volunteer. Supporting the museum not only enriches the campus community but also fosters a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
The Regina A. Quick Center was once the home to pieces gifted from the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a renowned museum in New York City. When looking to distribute this art work, a friar here at St. Bonaventure explained how the Quick Center would be the perfect place to home these pieces. With many surrounding towns that wouldn’t necessarily be able to see this artwork, it was decided that The Quick Center should take on this role to educate and inspire Western New York.
This past week Barbara Fox, a local artist, gave a lecture at the Quick Center. As a contemporary painter with a figurative style that uses vivid colors and dramatic lighting, Fox has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. Her exhibit, located in the Dresser Gallery, has pieces with incredible depth, tricking our eyes into seeing the objects as protruding from the canvases.
To the naked eye her pieces are fairly complex; however, she explained how she only uses one medium for this exhibition: oil paint. She talked about her favorite piece in the exhibition, “Learning to Fly.” She explained wanting to capture the image of the thought process behind learning to fly, with a picture of the sky and different depictions of birds. Fox stated that this piece took her 40 hours, as most of her work is extremely tedious, trying to get the right values so the images look three-dimensional.
Fox, like many other local artists, said she is hopeful that her work “will make students feel inspired with their art career,” as it can be daunting to go into an occupation that some deem unnecessary. She explained “that it is hard, but not impossible and there are so many opportunities for artists.”
This point highlights the beauty of the Quick Art Center, giving opportunities to artists to showcase their work and inspire others. Fox explained that even if you aren’t an aspiring artist or studying art, it is still important to view art.
“Art is good for your soul… If the artwork resonates with you emotionally or intellectually, that’s just wonderful,” said Fox. She pointed out that art is everywhere and we must look at it to appreciate life on a deeper level.
There are many upcoming events in the Quick Art Center, including a dance performance put on by the SBU Dance team on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and a show by the Southern Tier Symphony Holiday Brass on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets remain available online and while the Quick Art Center may carry a quietly exclusive reputation, they sell out quickly.
Next time you pass by the Quick Center, take a moment to step inside. It’s more than a quiet space with paintings on the walls—it’s a vibrant, living part of our campus that’s ready to inspire your next idea.
