First Annual POP! Art Party, Activating Buffalo’s Creative Future
May 30, 2026 5:00pm — 9:00pm
Hunt Residencies, an artist residency program that stemmed from The C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Art Gallery, will host POP!, its first annual fundraiser, on May 30, 2026, bringing together artists, collectors and community leaders for an immersive evening celebrating Buffalo’s next generation of creative entrepreneurs.
Launched in April 2022, Hunt Residencies began as a bold investment in emerging artists, offering public-facing free studio space, exhibition space and weekly mentorship. In just four years, the program has evolved into a powerful cultural engine, supporting over 50 artists as they build sustainable careers, exhibit work and expand their reach in and out of Buffalo.
But the impact extends far beyond individual artists.
Hunt Residencies is actively strengthening Buffalo’s cultural infrastructure by developing artists, activating spaces, and creating event experiences that reinforce the city’s creative identity and economic momentum. By keeping talent local, amplifying underrepresented voices and connecting the community to contemporary art in accessible ways, the program is helping position Buffalo as a city that invests in creative growth.
“This is not just art programming, it’s ecosystem building,” said Christina Buscarino, Executive Director of Hunt Residencies. “We’re committed to creating a Buffalo where artists don’t feel like they have to leave to succeed. POP! is about more than a single night, it’s about bringing people into that vision, showing them the talent here and giving them a way to actively support the next generation of artists shaping this city.”
Now operating as a newly incorporated 501(c)(3), Hunt Residencies is expanding its impact through POP! Art Party, an evening designed to both celebrate and sustain its mission.
Guests can expect:
- A live art challenge pairing resident and mentor artists
- An interactive art sale featuring works priced from $100–$3,000
- Group Tours of the Artist in Residence Studios and Exhibition
- Open bar and hors d’oeuvres curated by Beebe’s on the Square
- A dynamic room of artists, collectors and civic leaders shaping Buffalo’s cultural future
- Funds raised from POP! will directly support artist stipends, studio access, mentorship programming and continued opportunities for emerging creatives.
“Great cities are defined by the art they champion,” Buscarino added. “With POP!, we’re not only creating an unforgettable experience, we’re building a future where artists stay, careers grow and culture leads.”
POP! is a ticketed event open to the public, sponsorship opportunities available. Community members are invited to attend and be part of a defining moment for Buffalo’s creative scene.