Education facilities, equipment damaged, but gallery show will open today

By Mandy Myers
(Images above from CEPA social media video)

Last Friday (Feb. 6) CEPA Gallery suffered a devastating water pipe rupture. This caused substantial flooding and significant damage to its education facilities.

Now the organization is seeking help. It is working with its insurance company, but meanwhile “desperately need your support,” it said in an release about the situation. Supporters can donate HERE.

According to Ben Hickey, the director at Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts, CEPA will need volunteers in the next two weeks to help with certain tasks. If there is anyone interested, they can email info@cepagallery.org. They will reach back out to you when they need you.

Hickey also mentioned how amazing it is during these times to receive CEPA stories from the lives of those who have been influenced by the organization, which is dedicated to contemporary photography and visual arts. If anyone would like to share these stories, they are more than welcome! Please feel free to share these stories and moments at the same email address.

A significant amount of specialized equipment, including computers, film scanners and printers, was damaged. The organization, located at 617 Main St. in Buffalo, will be evaluating all of its equipment, which will take some time.

They are certain that key pieces have been destroyed, but are hopeful that some equipment can be repaired.

All facility bookings and on-site workshops are canceled through the remainder of February. CEPA uses its Education Suite in support of exhibitions and practically all programming. The organization said, “Without its use, we will be at a standstill,”

IN THE MEANTIME…

CEPA’s administrative offices and first-floor galleries were not affected by the water. Face Id: A Surveil of Che-Wei Hsu is officially open to the public today (Thursday, Feb. 12) between noon and 4 p.m. (the reception and programs will be delayed).

Gallery hours through April 10 are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment and 1-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

Updates will be coming regarding modified programming for CEPA’s Focus Resident, Faith Mikolajczyk, whose workspace was affected.

Once these services, equipment, and programs come back online, the organization will be posting about it on social media @cepagallery.

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Mandy Myers is a senior at SUNY Fredonia and an intern for The Buffalo Hive.