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Be rewarded for your creativity

Be rewarded for your creativity

2023 Statewide Community Regrants offer up to $5,000 in funding for your community arts project idea. Application Deadline May 2023The Statewide Community Regrants (SCR) program supports arts and cultural programming and the creation of new artworks in Erie, Niagara,...

Bewitching Artist Spotlight: Laike Palermo

Bewitching Artist Spotlight: Laike Palermo

Get ready for a night of SPOOKTACULAR festivities at this year’s Witches Ball at The Statler on Saturday, October 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Spicy, a branding and digital ad agency founded by Jeffrey Heras and Joe Babcock, collaborated with local artists to...

Woodturning

Woodturning

David Day began woodturning in 2000 by making bowls, candlesticks, vases and bracelets. “I had little experience working on a lathe, so that my first attempts at producing a bowl or a plate were pretty uninspiring” revealed David. He spent a couple of days, working...

A Touch of Nostalgia

A Touch of Nostalgia

River Art Gallery’s September 2021 “Solo Exhibition” featuring Jerry Glaser, represents the return of collectables, songs, icons and colors of the 50’s, 60’s 70’s and more. The lifestyle of this era is well loved by many. One couldn’t help but notice how guests at his...

Molding the Future of Education

Molding the Future of Education

“The mission of our business is to exceed customers’ expectations by creating jewelry of high quality, timelessness and permanence” states Dawn DiGesare, as she talks about her early inroads into the professional PMC Clay business. She began teaching online one-on-one...

Art of Invention

Art of Invention

Coni Minneci artwork titled Dr Carmen Hijosa – Pinatex. This 10” x 10” painting is created with mixed media. “This series is meant to inspire young girls and young women to be curious on how things work, to solve problems, to stand up for themselves, to not give...

Let’s Paint

Let’s Paint

It’s time for River Art Gallery to introduce our new member Nikki Milley award-winning portrait artist, teacher, animal lover and mentor dedicated to making our world a little bit prettier! Learn to Watercolor www.brushbabies.com Most of us understood the power of art...

Behind the Painting: Choosing Which Mood to Wear

Behind the Painting: Choosing Which Mood to Wear

    Many times, ideas strike me or a small doodle becomes something larger and "comes to life" as a painting. On the day the idea for this painting came into being, I found myself in a bit of a sour mood.  I felt like I was stuck in a rut and honestly, not very...

What is Art Therapy?

What is Art Therapy?

7 Common Myths About Art Therapy by Lisa Horlein, LCAT, ATR-BC I have been an artist and a professional art therapist for over 30 years.  Frequently I am asked  what is art therapy?  The best way to answer this question is to identify common...

Fine Arts League Honors Local Artists

The Fine Arts League of Buffalo held its’ 66th  Annual Members Juried Spring Show this Saturday, May 3rd  at the River Art Gallery, 82 North Main St. in Tonwanda, NY. and presented special ‘Artiest (Lifetime Achievement) Awards’ to Two Incredible Local...

CALL FOR ARTISTS – ART ON OLIVER STREET

“Art on Oliver Street”- Public Art Initiative CITY OF NORTH TONAWANDA- The Oliver Street corridor, located within the City of North Tonawanda will soon become home to a public art initiative known as “Art on Oliver Street”. Art on Oliver Street will consist of various...

Philip Burke to paint LIVE at Gateway Concert

AWESOME NEWS! International Artist Philip Burke will be painting LIVE at the Music & Arts Festival - Gateway Harbor Concert. Wednesday, August 1st. "The Who" Tribute band. Mark your calendar for this special event. #liveconcert #thewho #gatewayharbor

“Complicated” Art book for sale at River!!

Dennis Bertram, one of many artists represented at River Art Gallery and Gifts, has published a book, "Complicated: A Plain Talking Artist's Guide to His Art." At 146 pages and with over a hundred color images, he describes the meaning and evolution of his...

River Gallery Momentum!

River Art Gallery and Gifts has been a part of the historical North Tonawanda's efforts for local revitalization. Over the years we have become a destination for visitors to spend time enjoying our great food, art, music, theater and film. We have been highlighted in...

Luminescent Skies in Watercolor Workshop

Instructor: Deanna Weinholtz This two day art workshop in Tonawanda will explore techniques to achieve luminescent skies in watercolor. A looser approach to watercolor is utilized and the results are stunning. Each student may paint from his own photo reference of...

Painting on Leather – Dennis Bertram

Leather is both a natural and historic material used by artists for centuries. I have been working with leather for a few years, creating messenger bags, buckles, and similar items. However, I am also a painter. Paint can be used on many surfaces. I have used canvas,...

Palette-to-Palete Event

Join us for a fabulous evening of food, wine, art and gifts. The event takes place in conjunction with River Art Gallery and Gifts, Webster's Kitchen, Jody Ziehm and Gates Circle Wine & Liquor. On Sunday March 4th join us in North Tonawanda for an evening of fun....

River Art Gallery and Gifts

Founded in 2009, we are an Art Gallery and Gift Store. Located in the heart of North Tonawanda, NY’s historical and cultural district we exhibit original artwork by artists from the Buffalo, Western New York, and the Southern Ontario region. Our store carries original...

Western Caribbean with Jody Ziehm

Ready to plan your escape to paradise next February? Instead of being in 32 degree weather, what about taking Plein Air workshop on a Western Caribbean Cruise, with Jody Ziehm? Paint outdoors in the Bahamas and Mexico, at beautiful ports such as Princess Cays, Grand...

Tips: Paint Brushes 101

Anyone who has ever walked down a paint brush aisle knows there are a gazillion paint brushes to choose from. Whether you are a beginner or just curious about what brushes to use for what, we found some quick videos that may be helpful.   Which Brush to Choose -...

The Devil is in the Details Exhibit Opening

It was a nice turnout for E. Jane Stoddard's "The Devil is in the Details" Exhibit, which was held on April 18th, 2015. Originally an oil painter, Jane's detailed watercolors captivated the audience. If you are boat enthusiast, Jane's imagery of New England and Maine...

Productivity Tips

Feeling unproductive or creatively blocked? Here's a great video we found, by ASAP Science, that may help get you back on track.

Making Marks – The Park School of Buffalo

Post by Fotini Galanes Mark Making began as a response to a request from the Burchfield Penney Art Center to demonstrate and interpret my drawings to visitors in a hands-on experience that explains how my drawings are made, what inspires them, and how long they take...

Deanna Weinholtz Exhibit Opening

It was a great turnout for Deanna's "Northern Reflections" exhibit opening, which was held on March 7th, 2015! It was wall-to-wall people here at River Art Gallery and we couldn't be happier for her. Painting in the mediums of acrylic and watercolor, Deanna's styles...

Installing Deanna Weinholtz Exhibit

It's always interesting watching an exhibit come together. From when the artist drops off their work, to where it hangs on the wall is an experience all in itself. When Deanna dropped off work for her exhibit, she and our Gallery Manager, Cindi, had gone through every...

Members Meeting 2-28-15 Highlights

Thank you to all who came to the Members Meeting on Saturday (2/28/15).  It's always great having our artists together! During the meeting our Gallery Manager, Cindi, discussed the upcoming exhibits this year, including our next exhibit featuring Deanna Weinholtz. All...

Tips: Promote Yourself – Pt2 – Create a Facebook Page

Facebook has become a way of life, and it's become an inexpensive and great way of promoting yourself and business. Even though social networking may seem complex, once you get the hang of it, you can make an update or post a picture in a few short minutes. First,...

Artist Enhanced Giclées

I have been working on a very exciting new idea for my upcoming solo show “Northern Reflections”. My painting of “Paradise” has had many requests for giclées, which I always declined to do. The original painting is done with iridescent paint and I felt it just...

Promote Yourself

As an artist it's important to promote yourself. Even though you can leave it up to a gallery to help promote you, a better way to become more successful is to cross-promote. As a gallery, we can say there is definitely a difference in success between an artist that...

New Outdoor Displays for River

River Art Gallery and Gifts is located in the historic old Evening News building. Even though being located in such a historic building is great it's not a typical storefront building, with display windows. Most pedestrians pass by our building and not even realize...

Top 5 Reasons to Buy From Local Artists

There are many benefits in buying from local artists. Here are our Top 5 Reasons to buy from local artists, such as from our River Gallery Members. It's Familiar - Many artists create work based on their location. Painters may paint local scenes, photographers may...

How-to Hang a Wire Mounted Frame

When you purchase a painting, or giclée print, from a gallery or frame shop chances are they will have a hanging wire on the back. If you are not used to hanging frames with wire, we found some videos that will help guide you on hanging your artwork. To give you a...

How-to Remove Paint from Hands & Clothes

As artists we are always getting dirty with paint or other substances. Here are some helpful tips and videos, with tips on how to remove paint and such from your hands and clothes without harsh chemicals.   How To Remove Oil Based Paint From Your Hands/Brushes...