In 2012, the Nancy Haberman Gacioch, William T. Gacioch & Family Center for Visual & Performing Arts opened on Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Amherst, NY campus. The $5.4 million Center is an adaptive reuse project, a striking new space in the former Marian Library on the south border of the campus footprint.
The Center is a dynamic space that will meet the demands of growing enrollment in the arts programs at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ and provides a unique and modern environment for learning, events, and collaboration.
Center Highlights
- Designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification utilizing ‘green’ technology and geothermal heating to contain energy costs
- Equipped with an interactive performance/lecture space with seating for 50
- Features a high-resolution projection and state-of-the-art SMART Board technology
- Offers flexible studio space allowing for studio instruction and theatrical space
- Includes open production space, computer labs and faculty offices
The Haberman Gacioch Center is distinguished not only by its striking architectural beauty but by the versatility and intimacy of its studios and classroom spaces. The figure drawing studios are fitted with moveable walls that can allow the studios to be converted into a performing space or bays of varying sizes, while both the Animation and Graphic Design studios, to which studios have access 24/7 access, boast state of the art technology. The atmosphere of the building as a whole is one of a creative arts studio environment, where students mix with and learn from a variety of majors while being treated by faculty and peers as young artists in training.
Our Gallery Spaces
Learn more about our gallery events
The Center is home to two art galleries. The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Gallery consists of hanging walls and moveable structures that maximize versatility. The Karamanoukian Gallery (named for Trustee Emeriti Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian) is located in the walkway connecting the Center to Duns Scotus Hall. Both galleries are professionally curated, and house a rotation of shows by leading professionals, work by faculty (all studio faculty are professional artists) and exhibits of student work.
Both the Tower Gallery and the Karamanoukian Gallery serve the campus and the community by offering a rotation of shows by visiting professional artists, faculty work, and work by students. Art openings give community members the chance to mingle with artists and faculty, and give students the opportunity to network.
Dr. Robert Waterhouse, Chair/Associate Professor of Theatre, Department of Visual and Performing Arts
The Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ College galleries are an active part of WNY’s thriving arts scene. Our galleries provide an opportunity for the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ and WNY communities to experience work in a range of media from regional, national, and international artists.
Brian Hammer, Curator/Instructor, Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Nancy Haberman Gacioch ’62
Nancy Haberman Gacioch ’62 studied social studies and economics at the former Rosary Hill College, now Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ College. In addition to her support for the arts at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, she has also funded an endowed scholarship for women in business, provided funding for a new lecture series in the area of business entrepreneurship, and an Interdisciplinary Minor in Entrepreneurship.
Widely known for their philanthropy in Buffalo and Erie County, Nancy and her husband, Bill, have had enormous success in creating a business that employs 300 people and provides housing for over 20,000 tenants around the country. National Property Management Associates (NPMA), now headquartered in Orchard Park, was founded by Bill Gacioch more than 45 years ago.
Wide-ranging areas of the Buffalo and Western New York community have benefited for many years from the Gaciochs’ philanthropy. Their commitments have been especially evident in the areas of children’s advocacy, education, and preventing animal cruelty.