Message from the Director

As we begin a new chapter at the Brisbane Building, we are giving a nod to our community’s rich heritage in the visual arts through the opening of the C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery. All around us are magnificent examples of world-class architecture, spectacular outdoor art, and the finest modern and contemporary art in the most magnificent settings. Buffalo is on the world cultural map and well-documented in art history books. The new gallery will focus on the work of local artists through our collaboration with the Buffalo Society of Artists (BSA) and the University at Buffalo School of Fine Arts Management. Our manager is Christina Buscarino, a young lady who brings a powerful formal education and work experience to our project.

Our gallery is named in memory of my parents. My father, C. Stuart Hunt, was somewhat of an urban pioneer in the 1980’s when he purchased the Brisbane Building. The first renovation completed in the first years of his ownership was a pure labor of love, which was not necessarily shared by my mother. But my father persevered to his dying day with the building as his business home. The offices of three of our companies (HUNT Commercial, HUNT Mortgage and Network Title Agency) remain in the building to this day.

Each in a series of two-month exhibitions will feature two local artists, with all art on display for sale. We are hoping to grow our numbers of collectors in our community who sense, as we do, the high quality of work being done right here. In addition, we will be offering, free of charge, studio space to local artists who will be invited to participate based on an application process.

When my brother and I took over as owners and managers of the Brisbane Building, we began a multi-year project to add real value to the experience of our valued tenants and the entire Central Business District first through important infrastructure improvements, and most recently through the restoration of the magnificent exterior detail of this historic structure. Creating a beautiful space where visitors and collectors can experience exceptional creative works is an important step in our effort to attract a wider audience to the property while enhancing the environment for our tenants. Through the opening of the gallery we hope to build on the vibe many are feeling as Downtown Buffalo and the Central Business District in particular continue their renaissance.

It has been said that a truly successful urban rebirth must include a major presence of the arts community. It has also been said that the “coolness” of any city has a lot to do with how it fosters the growth and development of artists of all kinds–the “creative class”. Our hope is that our new gallery will contribute to our city’s vibrant, attractive, youthful-in-spirit, and creative atmosphere. 

Many have contributed to the concept creation, actual design, construction and business planning for the gallery. Our sincere thanks go out to the team that made this all happen, led by HUNT Property Solutions leader, Stephen Fitzmaurice, and the HAG Gallery Manager, Christina Buscarino, as well as our architect, Jake Schneider at Schneider Design, and construction manager, Paul Lamparelli of Lamparelli Construction. Certainly, we would be nowhere without our collaborators led by Frani Evedon, president and her leadership team at the Buffalo Society of Artists and the exceptional faculty and staff at UB’s School of Fine Arts Management.