By Jimmy Keller
(Image above: Huidi Xiang – the maxim of the tomato)

Welcome to Hive Highlights; a weekly exhibits roundup from Buffalo Hive. This showcase is meant to point you to gallery openings, ongoing exhibits, closings, artist talks and happenings in the visual arts community of Western New York for the week/end ahead. These lists are not designed to be comprehensive, instead providing a keyhole into the creative hum of our region. 

1. Huidi Xiang: the maxim of the tomato, on view at BICA (Buffalo Institute of Contemporary Art)
   OPENING, Friday, April 25, 2025, 7-10 p.m.
   30 Essex Street, Rear D, Buffalo, NY 14213

Sculpture artist Huidi Xiang focuses on the ironic metaphor of a household sewing item: tomato pin cushion. While a tomato typically references health, as referenced by the artist connecting to the contemporary video game Kirby (where it restores health to characters), we pierce, puncture and repeatedly wound the ordinary yet symbol object. Xiang’s work hopes to highlight and contrast the nurturing and “childlike healing tropes” with the burden of work, exploitation and undervaluation of specific minorities. An opening reception is this Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.; an artist-led walkthrough is the following day (Saturday, April 26) at noon. 

Learn More: https://www.thebica.org/exhibitionsarchive/huidi-xiang

2. Jessica Gadra: Fact in Fantasy, on view at Castellani Art Museum
   OPENING, April 24, 2025 5-7pm
   7 Varsity Drive, Niagara University, NY 14109

If it’s folklore, fairy tales and mythology you are interested in, then you won’t want to miss this exhibition featuring artist Jessica Gadra. Inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Gadra illustrations are an immersive experience diving into the journey of creative storytelling. This is a collaboratively curated exhibition with students from Niagara University. 

There are additional exhibitions opening at CAM, allowing multiple artists and new works to be celebrated and viewed at this reception. Gadra’s work can be viewed through Nov. 9. 

Learn More: https://www.castellaniartmuseum.org/exhibitions/jessica-gadra-fact-in-fantasy

3. Rohlfs & Roycroft, on view at Burchfield Penney Arts Center
   ONGOING, Through September 26, 2025
   1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222

Experience a historic and monumental period of Western New York furniture making. Rohlfs and Elbert Hubbard (Roycroft) were both very passionate, quality intentional and very successful furniture makers and designers who had an impact beyond WNY during the arts and craft movement. Today, their work lives on as inspiration, but also through this historical exhibition.

Learn More: https://burchfieldpenney.org/exhibitions/exhibition:r-and-r/