Arts for Learning WNY

05/01/2026

❗️Save the post and mark your calendars…we have some incredible public programs planned for the month of May!

This fantastic trio of musical and theatrical performances – all hosted by the Clarence Senior Center – promise to bring the energy!

🪘Learn about some traditional instruments, rhythms, and cultures of Africa in “Greetings from Guinea,” an interactive drumming performance presented by Performing Artist Mohamed Diaby - May 5th @ 5:30pm

🎸Enjoy a set of engaging, educational, and fun songs presented in concert by Performing Artist Doug Yeomans - May 22nd @ 1pm

🎭Immerse yourself in an evening of storytelling fun presented by The Wondermakers - May 26th @ 5:30pm

For more information and to learn about more upcoming events near you, visit our website: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

This programming is made possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Community Impact Committee and the Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

04/29/2026

🧵Our ArtWorks Apprentices have become fully immersed in Fashion and Design!

Under the guidance of Teaching Artist Rashaad Holley, this group of incredible artists have spent the last months exploring their creativity through Fashion and Design, discovering and sharing their own ideas as they become inspired designers. Through technical training, they’ve developed the necessary skills to bring their designs to life. Their visionary ideas have evolved through a wide variety of mediums including fashion sketches, croquis, sashiko tiles, paper project designs, and textile designs.

With just three weeks remaining until the ArtWorks Spring Showcase, our Apprentices are officially in the homestretch as they prepare to present their work and reflect on their experiences at the culminating celebration of their time in ArtWorks!

Save the date and stay tuned for more information about the Spring Showcase…coming soon!
📆 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕰️ 6pm (Doors open at 5:30pm)
📍 The Buffalo History Museum

Interested in learning more about ArtWorks? Check out our website! https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/artworks

04/27/2026

🇬🇳🪘Join Arts for Learning WNY Performing Artist Mohamed Diaby for "Greetings from Guinea” a FREE performance at the Clarence Senior Center.

This high energy, interactive performance highlights music, dance, and history from Guinea, West Africa. A variety of traditional instruments and costumes are featured throughout the performance, as the audience is treated to an incredibly enjoyable and deeply educational experience. In addition to providing a stirring musical performance, Mohamed Diaby explains the historical and cultural relevance of each rhythm and dance he shares.

The audience is encouraged to participate in this incredible experience!

📆 Tuesday, May 5, 2026
🕰️ 5:30 - 6:20 pm
📍 Clarence Senior Center

Audience members of all ages are welcome to join at this FREE event, no registration required. Follow the link to learn more about our free public programs: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Community Impact Committee and the Daniel C. and Beatrice M. Fisher Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

Arts for Learning WNY's mission is to inspire, expand learning, and strengthen our community through engagement with the arts. We provide arts education in Western New York including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

04/18/2026

🎈Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with style by joining Performing Artist Janice Sp****la for an incredible afternoon of balloon artistry! Watch in amazement as a few simple balloons turn into amazing designs!

This FREE event is an opportunity to explore a fantastic independent bookstore! In this open house-style event, discover all that Alice, Ever After Books has to offer and enjoy Balloon Art fun presented by Teaching Artist Janice Sp****la.

This event includes balloon art to take home as well as mini demos that will make the whole family eager to try their hand at creating their own art.

📆Saturday, April 25, 2026
🕰️1pm - 3 pm
📍Alice, Ever After Books

All are welcome to join at this FREE event, no registration required. Follow the link to find more information about our free public programs: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of The Cullen Foundation of Western New York.

04/18/2026

🎉One week after Family ArtFest 2026, we are so proud to recognize some of the incredible people that make this annual event possible!

The staff and board of directors at Arts for Learning WNY work tirelessly to present our community with opportunities to engage with the arts in new and exciting ways. Throughout the year, this group of dedicated individuals works to coordinate with Teaching Artists, performers, guest artists, community partners, and funders to ensure the success of Family ArtFest and many other programs like it.

Thank you, again, to our staff and board of directors!

If you missed out on family ArtFest but would like to attend an upcoming free public event, check out our website for more information! https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevent

04/17/2026

🎨We would like to thank the funders that helped to make Family ArtFest 2026 an incredible success!

Family ArtFest is made possible through the support of the Honorable Taisha St. Jean T**d (Erie County District 2 ) and the Honorable County Legislator Lawrence Dupre of the Erie County Legislature, along with City of Buffalo Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski.

Thanks to this generous funding from both the City of Buffalo and Erie County, Family ArtFest continues to remain a free event that is open to our entire community and is growing every year!

Follow the link to learn more about more incredible free events near you: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

04/17/2026

🫧BubbleMania had an effect on EVERYONE at Family ArtFest last Saturday!

In addition to presenting a high energy BubbleMania performance, Doug “Bubble Man” Rougeux was on the scene all day. Guests who visited the Bubble Learning & Play Zone discovered endless ways to enjoy the magic of bubble fun!

Some bubble-enthusiasts nearly floated away in all the fun as they found themselves surrounded by bubbles large enough to envelop them whole. Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan, Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre, and Erie County Legislator Taisha St. Jean T**d (Erie County District 2 ) were among the excited guests who enjoyed this incredible experience!

The Bubble Learning & Play Zone was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Rich Products Corporation.

Follow the link to stay up to date with upcoming free events near you: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

📸: Through His Lens Photography

04/16/2026

🎁Family ArtFest Highlight: Arts Integration Kits and Door Prize

The first 200 guests at Family ArtFest took home their very own Family ArtFest Arts Integration Kits full of art supplies and at-home lesson plans to keep the fun going after the event!

One lucky family went home with our Door Prize Basket, complete with eight Arts Integration Kits (including books, lessons plans, and supplies) and family memberships to the Buffalo Zoo and Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village.

If you missed out on taking home an Arts Integration Kit or you’d like to try more, check out our website to learn more. Additionally, stay tuned to our socials and we will always let you know where you can pick up a kit for free! https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/artsintegration

04/16/2026

🎨There’s nothing better than creating your own work of art to take home, and the young artists at Family ArtFest did exactly that!

From watercolors and recycled glass magnets to slap bracelets and build-your-own carousels, the art created at Family ArtFest was fueled by the incredible creativity and enthusiasm of our guests. Our fantastic Teaching Artists and ArtWorks Apprentices served to guide the creative process as kids from all over the Buffalo area found their artistic groove!

Interested in joining us for more FREE events led by members of our Teaching Artist Roster? Follow the link to stay up to date with upcoming free events near you: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

📸: Through His Lens Photography

04/16/2026

🎨Who can resist the fun of facepainting?!

Family ArtFest was full of incredible designs that adorned the faces of hundreds of our guests! Guest artists Phoebe Bruce, Tera Domaradzki, and Carolyn Greenwood made sure that no child went without a design of their choice! From unicorns to tigers, a wide variety of facepainting artwork could be seen all over the Broadway Market!

Want to stop in for our next free event? Check out our website to learn more about upcoming free programs near you: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

📸: Through His Lens Photography

04/15/2026

🎈Balloon magic was everywhere at Family ArtFest on Saturday!

Some found their wings, some took home balloon animal friends, and some added stylish balloon accessories…but everyone marveled at the fun of balloon art brought to life by Teaching Artist Janice Sp****la and her balloon-twisting friends!

Did you miss Family ArtFest but still want a chance to enjoy FREE balloon art fun? Join Teaching Artist Janice Sp****la at Alice Ever After Books from 1pm-3pm on Saturday, April 25th to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day!

Learn more about our upcoming free public programming: https://www.artsforlearningwny.org/upcomingevents

📸: Through His Lens Photography