History...
1970-1976:
JCC’s first art exhibitions were presented in the Fine Arts Center’s “gallery upstairs,” in the old East Side Elementary School on Falconer Street. This temporary site included large windows, cold winter drafts, and creaky floors. A historical report describes the 1970 preparations: “armed with moveable panels, a box of tools, hors d'oeuvres, and a few bottles of champagne, professors John Hiester and William Disbro installed the first show and prepared for the reception.” From these humble beginnings, the faculty, student, and local artist shows continued to develop and draw community interest.
1977-1987:
The initial successes and growing enthusiasm sparked the addition of a permanent Forum Gallery in JCC’s new Forum building (now the Katharine Jackson Carnahan Center). After several years, Mike Campbell (a new faculty member at this time) became the gallery coordinator. Under his guidance, the gallery was upgraded several times, presented traveling shows, and exhibited prominent professors from neighboring colleges. Highlights included the “Citizen’s Eye,” a countywide, juried photography show; and the “Eastern Lake Erie Regional Scholastic Art Awards” and exhibition that drew hundreds of high school students and audiences from across Western New York and Pennsylvania. After expanding the quality of exhibitions and outreach services, Mike Campbell accepted a position at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
1988-1989:
William Waite took over as the gallery coordinator and simultaneously served as director of the Chautauqua Art Association Galleries. He used his Chautauqua experiences and contacts to add refinements such as the brown bag lecture series that drew 40-50 lunchtime guests and the “Printmakers U.S.A” exhibition. In addition, he added shows by distinguished regional professors such as Bill Stewart and Joseph Piccillo. At this time, John Heister, a JCC professor, curated a cutting-edge digital photography show (the first of it’s kind in Western NY) that traveled to CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
1989-1996:
In July 1989, Dan R. Talley was hired as the first full-time professional director and Waite continued in his part-time capacity for a few years. The inaugural exhibition, “Aging: The Process, the Perception” brought regional and national attention to the college. Cable News Network (CNN) aired a segment on the exhibition during the Early Prime and Headline News shows; and WNED–TV, the PBS affiliate in Buffalo, produced a spot in their Art Scene series. As part of the exhibition, Ed Asner, star of TV’s Lou Grant show, gave a talk on art and censorship.
Other highlights included the annual “PhotoNominal” exhibitions, a juried photography show that drew artists from across the nation; “A Friend Remembers Louise Nevelson,” an exhibition of works collected by Diana MacKown, and “Theaters and Collages,” featuring works by Cletus Johnson, a regional artist who was represented by the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York City (one of the most important contemporary galleries in the world). These new exhibitions included impressive catalogs that presented artist’s statements, representations of their artworks, and biographies. In 1995, the JCC Foundation’s Capital Campaign funded a new state-of-the-art Forum Gallery. Soon after completing this project, Dan Talley accepted a position at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
1997-2009:
James Colby was appointed director in 1997 and was charged with full utilizing the new museum space and with implementing the expanded Community Cultural Center vision. A 2001 program presented an ideal model that combined global perspectives with interdisciplinary studies and extensive community outreach. Alison Wright, a recipient of the Dorothea Lange award for documentary photography, was the featured artist. She specialized in documenting the traditions of endangered people in remote areas of the world and was the author and photographer of a recently published book “The Spirit of Tibet: Portrait of a Culture in Exile” (also the title of the Weeks Gallery exhibition).
To add an authentic cultural experience and make the experiences come alive, Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta, Georgia added numerous programs. The activities drew record crowds who were intrigued by the Eastern philosophies, brilliant costumes, exotic instruments, and multi-phonic singing. Over four thousand guests traveled from across the region, including several busloads of high school students.
Other Weeks gallery highlights included the founding of the Museum Without Walls and Global Collection of Photography programs that present ArtReach services. Recent, the gallery has packed the Weeks/Scharmann lobby for ArtParties, received an NEA grant, and acquired photographs from the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program. Through these newly evolved programs, services, and acquisitions, the Weeks Gallery manifests its mission to enrich cultural lives by presenting significant visual, performing, and interdisciplinary art programs for the region; and continues the goal to be recognized for excellence, innovation, and service in the region, state, and nation.
2009-present:
As in the past, the Weeks Gallery continues to evolve, seek greater excellence, and expand services. Most recently, James Colby collaborated with the public schools, the JCC Alumni Association, The Arts Council for Chautauqua County, the Scandinavian Folk Festival, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and on special cultural events to celebrate the college’s 60-year anniversary.
The gallery has redesigned its web site to help define our expanded programs, to connect to artists and audiences, and to promote and highlight upcoming exhibitions and museum ArtReach programs. In addition, the Weeks Gallery staff recently opened the new Center Gallery on the JCC Cattaraugus County Campus. Colin Shaffer coordinates these new exhibition events in collaboration with the Cattaraugus County Arts Council.
The Center Gallery presents local artists and faculty from regional colleges and universities. Highlights include the “CCAC Members Show” and the “Southern Tier Biennial” (STB), a regional survey of contemporary art on the southern tier. The 2009 STB featured 29 artists selected from over 112 applications. The exhibition includes cash awards and solo exhibitions with color catalogues for award winners. And, prior to the exhibition, the CCAC’s workshops present the technical and professional skills needed for participation in juried and solo exhibitions.
