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Book Arts hosts ribbon cutting at beloved home – 468 Washington St
Celebrating more than $300,000 in top-to-bottom capital improvements
Buffalo, N.Y. – The WNY Book Arts Center (Book Arts) is thrilled to announce the completion of top-to-bottom renovations at 468 Washington Street, located in Buffalo’s esteemed Literary Corridor. A ribbon cutting with county officials, community leaders, and the Book Arts’ board of directors was held on October 19, 2021 to celebrate this milestone in Book Arts’ history.
Honorary guests included: Gabrielle Harrington, Director of Community Affairs & Policy Advisor for Senator Sean Ryan, Director of Community Affairs for the Office of the County Executive Jason Hurley, 1st District Erie County Legislator Howard Johnson, Beth Gosch of WNY Foundation, Susan Kirkpatrick of the John R. Oishei Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts council member, and other community leaders.
Investment in Book Arts’ facilities stands as a testament to the undeniable power of art and culture to uplift a community and enhance its revitalization. Since 2017, Book Arts has been so fortunate to have completed concurrent building projects totaling more than $300,000, thanks to support from: the Dormitory Authority of New York State supported by Senator Sean Ryan, New York Main Street Program administered by Buffalo Place, New York State Council on the Arts, The Western New York Foundation, along with many generous individual donors and supporters.
Having been present for some of the initial cleanup of this building and seeing the birth of the Center, I am so pleased and amazed to see this place today. Since that time, Book Arts has grown, expanded what it can offer to the community, and today we can clearly see with this reconstruction phase completion, our physical surroundings representing the maturity of a colorful, bright, and dynamic organization.
Building upgrades include a totally new roof, energy-efficient storefront windows, bold exterior signage, improved ADA access throughout the space, and more – positioning Book Arts as a creative hub accessible to all who wish to engage their creative curiosity for many years to come.
The Western New York Book Arts Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of printing and book-related arts through education, creation, and exhibition for a broad and diverse community. Book Arts is located at 468 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. For more information, visit www.wnybookarts.org, email [email protected], or call 716-348-1430.
Thank you to our generous supporters, members & friends who made this all possible!
