Kurt Treeby goes solo at Hallwalls

Prominent Buffalo artist makes a splash with latest exhibit, “I’ve Got Next”

By Lucas Lyon

Kurt Treeby is no stranger to Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. He’s participated in its annual Members Exhibition for two decades and has been around the Buffalo art scene for nearly three decades.

He’s also no stranger to solo exhibitions, having showcased his work at the Burchfield Penny Art Center in 2021 and the Buffalo Arts Studio in 2005 and 2018.

A solo exhibition at Hallwalls, however? That’s treading into new territory, and the same can be said for the art he brought with him.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, located at 341 Delaware Ave, opened Buffalo native Kurt Treeby’s latest exhibit, “I’ve Got Next,” to the public. It is scheduled to run through Friday, Oct. 30, with gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday.

The exhibit consists of five playable, retro-influenced video games, a complete departure from Treeby’s typical fiber-art work. Despite the style shift, he continued to draw inspiration from historical art to make the games, reimagining the work of Picasso and other renowned artists in an unexpected
medium.

He was wrestling with two deceptively simple questions. “Could I make a video game and present it as art? And, what can this old imagery say?” Treeby said. He put those pending questions to the test,
starting in 2023, as he set out to find an answer.

His transition from fiber-based artwork to software-based artwork came with trials and tribulations. Luckily, through watching numerous YouTube tutorials, including a 13-hour tutorial series, he started to get the hang of the video game-making process, completing his first game, “Endless Column,” within
six months. That’s when trouble arose.

“Then I kind of stopped, because I knew that if I was going to keep going, I would need funding for tech,” Treeby said. He was stuck at a crossroads …until he wasn’t.

“I found out about a grant through the New York State Council on the Arts… I applied to that, and got it,” Treeby said. This gave him funding for 2024, and it was off to the races. Now equipped with everything he needed, he completed two more games and, by the end of the year, was on the hunt for a hosting venue.

No dice.

Treeby got back to work, keeping his creative juices flowing. He went on to complete two more games in 2025, reaching five in total. That’s when Hallwalls came knocking.

“In my world of art and artists … I’m amazed that nobody ever really talks about video games,” John Massier said, the curator at Hallwalls who accepted Treeby’s exhibition. He is now the chief curator at the Burchfield Penny Art Center. “In a way, they’re the most interesting art form that we have in our popular culture,” Massier said.

Massier has known Treeby for many years, and his artistic career curveball caught him by surprise, though he knew he’d find success. “He’s diligent, he’s attentive … when you’re dealing with professional artists, people that are committed to their art career, they tend to step up to the plate,” Massier said.

The exhibition’s confirmation gave Treeby, Massier, and Hallwalls a great sense of pride.

Now, after countless years of hard work and many artistic accomplishments, it feels fair to ask: how does an artist like Kurt Treeby stay committed? The love of art? Yes, but something else too.

Teaching.

Treeby has been teaching all across Western New York for almost as long as he’s been an artist. He currently teaches studio art and design at SUNY Erie Community College.

“It keeps me active; I think that’s what’s most important,” Treeby said. “Teaching art, being in an art department, and being around other people who are making art, either your colleagues or students … I’m always in it.”

Next on Treeby’s plate is finding more venues to exhibit “I’ve Got Next,” and during that process, he plans to continue making video games while circling back to his expertise in fiber-based artwork.

“It’s important, as artists, that we challenge ourselves.”

Very few artists challenge themselves like Kurt Treeby.

 

Major Renovations Coming to Historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Shea’s Performing Arts Center embarks on a new journey with a $34.5 million project to expand
and renovate the historic building. Brian Higgins, president and CEO of Shea’s Buffalo discusses
the changes coming to the theatre as it celebrates its 100th year in operation. “We clearly need
more space,” Higgins said. The renovations are being done in hopes to make the theatre more
accessible and comfortable for patrons, adding a number of additional bathroom fixtures and
concessions throughout the new space. The construction is expected to be completed in September 2027.

By: Adrianna Miller

 Traveling artist showcases paintings and positivity

Traveling artist Meagan Jean stands behind a rolling cart, making her next piece of jewelry. She set up on Elmwood Avenue outside the bustling Caffe Aroma on Saturday, Sept. 26, showcasing her business, Creative Infinite Being, to the community.

She sells handmade necklaces and bracelets, along with vibrant paintings. Everything comes with positive affirmations to rid one of self-doubt and spread good vibes.

“It’s a really nice community full of creativity,” Jean said. “This is a great street to be on in general, anyone is welcome to set up here.”

Jean said that this isn’t a job she has to do. Instead, it’s a job she “gets” to do. Meeting amazing people along the way and working on her social skills is a bonus that comes with it.

By: Matthew Barton

 F.A.T. Brings Late-Night Food to Allen Street

Zach Russell, owner of F.A.T.

Allen Street in Buffalo, has a new late-night restaurant now that F.A.T., or Food After Ten, has opened at 253 Allen St. in spring 2026. The restaurant, which was previously a food trailer, is now open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and serves food from a scratch-only kitchen. The owner, Zach Russell, said opening the restaurant has been a goal of his for many years. The food trailer served as a way for Russell to test the business before moving into a permanent location. “The food trailer was what we always called, like, the sandbox to see what worked and what didn't work with people,” Russell said. After moving to Allen Street, Russell hopes F.A.T. can help bring more activity to the area in hopes of bringing back the liveliness of Allen Street.

By: Ella Wittman

 Britesmith Buffalo Offers Vibrant Spot for Bills Fans to Watch Games

Britesmith Brewing owner Dave Schutte discusses how Buffalo Bills games affect the restaurant at 1250 Niagara St. in Buffalo. Schutte said the Bills season brings larger groups and more reservations, so the restaurant adjusts staffing based on expected customer volume. “It just kicks everything up a notch,” Schutte said. “It makes people excited.” Britesmith also offers game-day specials as fans come for food and drinks during the season.

By: Myles Samuel

 More Than Coffee: The Intersection Builds Community on Buffalo’s West Side

Barista Rachel Terrana marks five years working at The Intersection, a neighborhood café on Buffalo’s West Side. Terrana expressed that connecting with people is one of her favorite parts of the job. “I like talking to everybody,” Terrana said. She also helps people experiencing homelessness who come into the café for coffee, explaining that “a lot of homeless people don’t get options, so if they need a coffee we provide it for free.” The Intersection connects coffee with local art by hosting an art opening on the first Friday of each month, when the café stays open later, and visitors can enjoy coffee, view new artwork and meet the featured artist. “Every month, the art on our one wall is all different,” Terrana said. As fall approaches, Terrana encourages people to visit the neighborhood café. “Come on down … everyone is welcome,” Terrana said.

By: Zion Pentelton

The Bridge Filled With Buffalo's Heroes

Event organizer Laurie Kostrzewski leads one of the four moments of silence in the middle of the Scajaquada Pedestrian Bridge on Sept. 11.

By: Matthew Barton

The Scajaquada Pedestrian Bridge sits empty and quiet most of the time. 

365 days out of the year, it grants every biker or walker safe passage above the busy expressway, into or out of the sprawling trails of Delaware Park. 

But for one day out of the year, the bridge is louder than ever, not by noise, but by remembrance.

On Friday, Sept. 11, dozens of American flags were draped over the metal guardrails of the bridge. Each flag righteously flapped in the wind, serving as a reminder to drivers who passed by of the tragedy endured by our country 25 years ago. 

At the end of each flagpole stood a friend, a neighbor, or a child of the Buffalo community. Veterans wore hats, shirts and jackets filled with patches showcasing where they’ve served. Active military personnel stood stoically in uniform, alongside the Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo Fire Department and local EMS. The bridge was filled with Buffalo’s heroes. 

As the event was just getting started, a woman came walking up the bridge. She was sporting an American flag button-up, holding a speaker, a headset, and an American flag. After embracing an old friend, she found her spot on the bridge and unrolled her flag. The wind did the rest of the work, and passing cars honked in acknowledgement.

This woman is Laurie Kostrzewski, a Buffalo resident and the organizer of this remembrance event. What started as a small way to pay tribute in 2003 turned into a can't-miss ceremony, growing larger and larger each year. 

“There’s people from Cheektowaga, from Eden, from all parts of Western New York, and they’ve come here,” Kostrzewski said. “I think the significance is that it’s here in Buffalo, because Buffalo’s central to Western New York, and that we come together like this has a lot of meaning.”

Kostrzewski made sure to check in with everyone on the bridge, delivering hugs, thank-yous, and even bending down to check on a couple of patriotic pups who sat respectfully at their caretakers' feet. 

From 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., Kostrzewski led all four moments of silence, each recognizing one of the plane crashes on this day 25 years ago.

During these moments, Kostrzewski read the names of victims who resided in the Western New York area. A sense of togetherness lay heavy on the bridge during these times, along with the continuous honks of respect from below. 

“It connects us somehow,” she said. “I didn’t actually know anybody who died, but still, as a country, we feel this because it was the worst attack ever.”

Kostrzewski is a strong advocate for education on this difficult, yet important topic. One way she wants to ensure that we always remember is by renaming the bridge to the 9/11 Heroes Bridge.

It’s been a 15-year mission, and she’s been able to get through the Senate, but the assemblymen have “ignored it.” She plans to push hard in January when the legislature reconvenes.

On the south end of the bridge, Jackson Fisher stood in solidarity alongside his fellow members of the United States Coast Guard. None were born before 2001, but all still felt compelled to attend. 

“It means a lot for what they did, for what we currently do, and what we’re going to do in the future,” Fisher said about the gathering. He wants to set a positive example for younger people because that’s the impact that the previous generation left on him.

“I have family who have prior military service,” he said. “So seeing them serve for our community and our country is something I wanted to always do.”

One of the first people on the bridge Friday morning was Navy veteran Derek Sansone. It was Sansone’s third or fourth year attending, and as the sun beamed off his black Navy hat, he remembered the impact of this tragedy. 

“At that time, the guard and reserve call-ups really affected swaths of greatly middle America, arguably greater than previous conflicts that had drafts,” Sansone said. “Because of that, you’d be hard-pressed to know somebody on Main Street, U.S.A., who wasn’t personally impacted by the conflict.”

Sansone believes remembering this nationwide tragedy in small communities like Buffalo helps teach the next generation.

“We have an obligation to set the example by remembering it or talking to our kids about it, even if they are busy in school and can’t make every event like this,” he said. “If we don’t show up, then we don’t remember.”