Kenan Center’s diverse visual and performing arts offerings are why we are known as the “cultural heart” of the community.
Top offerings:
- Year-round exhibits in the Kenan Center House Gallery (since our first show of Charles Burchfield works in 1966)—some of the key exhibits include the annual Storrs All High Photo Show, members’ exhibit by the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, and biennial juried Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit
- 100 American Craftsmen, one of the region’s most prestigious shows for fine craft art
- Classes and workshops for adults and children
- Opportunities to meet artists at our Tea & Tour events
- Annual residency with the renowned Missoula Children’s Theatre
- Live performances for children and adults in the Taylor Theater
- Jazz concerts in the Taylor Theater
Visual Arts
The Kenan Center House Gallery is actually several rooms on the first and second floors of the Kenan house, specially equipped for hanging art. Gallery visitors are treated to two artistic experiences: the works on view in the gallery exhibits, and the exquisite Victorian decor of the house, itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows, carved mahogany doors, Italian marble floors, and nine ornate fireplaces, are just a few of the fine construction details that make a visit to the House Gallery a memorable experience.
The House Gallery hosts approximately nine fine art exhibits each year that are free and open to the public. Along with exhibits by local and regional artists, the gallery also hosts the Storrs All-High Photo Show, which showcases the photographic talents of high school students from across western and central New York, a biennial juried showcase of regional artists called the Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit, and an annual show of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society.
Visit the Gallery page for a list of past, current and upcoming exhibits.
TEA & TOURS
One of our newest events is the Gallery Tea & Tour which brings artists together with art-lovers in an informal way. Tea & Tours may include a conversation with the artist or a walking tour of the exhibit. Scheduled Tea & Tours or other gallery programs, will be listed on the Calendar page, Kenan Center Facebook page, and also announced through our E-newsletter. To subscribe, visit the home page and click on the blue envelope at the top.
Craft Art
Craft art is the focus of two of the most popular events on the Kenan Center calendar. Coming the weekend following the Memorial Day holiday, 100 American Craftsmen is truly the start of summer in the Niagara region! While well over a hundred artists apply for this prestigious, juried show each year; only those who meet the high standards of quality, craftsmanship, and originality are accepted. 100 American Craftsmen is also unique in that it takes place completely indoors in the Kenan Center Arena, making it a rain or shine event.
A smaller but equally popular juried craft show takes place just before Thanksgiving each year. The Holiday Gift Show features fifty local and regional craft artists whose work is chosen especially with holiday shoppers in mind. Here you’ll find a wide range of items from handcrafted jewelry, porcelain ornaments, paper clay figurines, and hand-bound journals, to exquisite dried and silk floral arrangements, delicious chocolate treats, children’s toys, and folk art of all shapes and sizes. The Holiday Gift Show offers visitors a rare opportunity to visit all three of the historic Kenan Center buildings, which are used for exhibit space.
Performing Arts
The 153-seat Taylor Theater is actually a converted carriage house, or more accurately, the stable which housed the carriage horses, and its original, rough-hewn beams and ceiling add a unique flavor to the experience. The Theater is located directly behind the Kenan House at 433 Locust Street. Regular and wheelchair access is from the north side of building. Ample parking is located behind the theater. The Theater and adjacent Meeting Room are both available for rental. More information can be found here.