Buffalo Open Arts Atelier

10/06/2026

Hello friends! This is just a quick reminder that our new class schedule starting the last week of October is now live at openartsbuf.com. Overcome the 5pm sunsets and spend time learning a creative analog skill. We look forward to seeing you there! Message us if you have any questions.

10/03/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped in last night as part of Niagara Frontier Food Terminal’s portal event! It was so exciting to have lots of folks in the space, and it was clear that the community wants more drop-in drawing nights - we’ll have those coming soon!

10/02/2026

Late Fall Classes are Live + Visit Us Tonight for Portal Open House!

Make the dark evenings of late fall/early winter a little brighter by joining one of our new art classes! Also, don't forget that our free figure drawing session is tonight from 6-10pm - scroll down for more details.

Starting the last week of October:
-Intro to Oil Painting: Create a beautiful still life oil painting while learning tools and tips of the trade. No prior experience necessary

-Drawing with Charcoal: This course approaches charcoal as a medium of light rather than line. Working from a toned midtone ground, students find form through chiaroscuro — lifting out the lights and pressing in the darks. No prior charcoal experience necessary

-Advanced Drawing - Plaster Casts: Students will immerse themselves in classical cast drawing, working from a physical plaster cast and developing depth of observation and skill.

Haven't joined us before? We're all about making the art skills typically learned in a university classroom accessible to all. Learn or hone your skills in drawing or painting in a comfortable, small-group environment led by a seasoned art professor. We'd love to welcome you!

For any questions or concerns, please respond to this email or text co-owner Lauren directly at 716-604-6731.

Happy Autumn,
Michael & Lauren
Buffalo Open Arts Atelier

Current Offerings:

Click here for an update from Buffalo Open Arts Atelier!

09/28/2026

Free Open Figure Drawing this

Friday (10/2) from 6-10pm for Portal!

The Niagara Fronter Food Terminal, the home of the studio space we moved into in March, is having an arts-focused event called Portal, and you're invited! We'll be having 4 hours of costumed figure drawing featuring a fun nighttime atmosphere, unique model setup, and snacks. Whether you've taken a class or are new to the studio, we'd love to have you stop in.

More info about Portal:
Your invitation to Buffalo's creative underground- where art, ideas, and industry collide. Come curious, leave inspired.

Step through the portals and explore the creative heart of Buffalo's historic Niagara Frontier Food Terminal. This event invites you into the vibrant work-spaces of local artists, makers, food-purveyors, and other businesses, each space a portal into an imaginative mind. Meet the makers, tour the studios, sample local flavor, and explore the magic behind the work. Find a passport on arrival and collect “stamps” at each space to be entered onto a raffle for prizes (including a free class tuition from us).

More about the event and open spaces here: visitbuffalo.com/event/portal-2026 (https://visitbuffalo.com/event/portal-2026/)

P.S. - New class listings will be released soon (within the next week). Keep your eye out!

Click here for an update from Buffalo Open Arts Atelier!

08/18/2026

If drawing skills are on your September 'to explore' list - this is your sign!

"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk." — Paul Klee

"You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh." — John Singer Sargent

If learning how to draw or freshening up your drawing skills is something you've been meaning or wanting to do, we're excited to let you know that we have two classes ready for your enrollment starting in less than 2 weeks!

Starting the first week of September:
-Intro to Drawing: Dubbed 'The Psychology of Seeing', this course is great for anyone looking to perfect their drawing skills - whether experienced or not.

-Advanced Drawing - Plaster Casts: Students will immerse themselves in classical cast drawing, working from a physical plaster cast and developing depth of observation and skill.

Regardless of the course you choose, you will enjoy the beauty of creative thinking, community, and time wholly focused on developing your skillset - we hope you'll join us.

Haven't joined us before? We're all about making the art skills typically learned in a university classroom accessible to all. Learn or hone your skills in drawing or painting in a comfortable, small-group environment led by a seasoned art professor. We'd love to welcome you!

For any questions or concerns, please respond to this email or text co-owner Lauren directly at 716-604-6731.

Looking forward to it,
Michael & Lauren
Buffalo Open Arts Atelier

Current Offerings:

Click here for an update from Buffalo Open Arts Atelier!

07/31/2026

We know it seems far away but...the time to sign up for September art classes is here!

This time of year is always a little odd in WNY - the warmest month, full of festivals, the fair, and other reminders of full-strength summer, but the whole rest of the world is ready to move on to 'back to school', football, and even Halloween!

While we don't wish to rush the beautiful brief summer, we invite you to join us for a new session of classes starting the first week of September. Regardless of the course you choose, you will enjoy the beauty of creative thinking, community, and time wholly focused on developing your skillset - we hope you'll join us.

Starting the first week of September:
-Intro to Drawing: Dubbed 'The Psychology of Seeing', this course is great for anyone looking to perfect their drawing skills - whether experienced or not.

-Advanced Drawing - Plaster Casts: Students will immerse themselves in classical cast drawing, working from a physical plaster cast and developing depth of observation and skill.

-Intro to Oil Painting: Create a beautiful still life oil painting while learning tools and tips of the trade. No prior experience necessary

Haven't joined us before? We're all about making the art skills typically learned in a university classroom accessible to all. Learn or hone your skills in drawing or painting in a comfortable, small-group environment led by a seasoned art professor. We'd love to welcome you!

For any questions or concerns, please respond to this email or text co-owner Lauren directly at 716-604-6731.

Looking forward to it,
Michael & Lauren
Buffalo Open Arts Atelier

Current Offerings:

Click here for an update from Buffalo Open Arts Atelier!

05/04/2026

Tomorrow starts a new chapter in our new space at the NFFT. Opening up for our new classes, new students, new work. See you all soon:)

04/29/2026

Don't Miss Out:
Classes Start Next Week!

A final reminder for those of you currently on the fence or have put off registering - classes start this upcoming Monday and are filling up! We hope you'll join us in our newly outfitted space, and are very excited for folks to see it for the first time.

Quick recap in case you missed our last email - we have a new home at 1500 Clinton St, #138 Upper, at the historic NFFT building. Featuring an exciting mix of multi-use vendors onsite (winery, meadery, restaurant, tea shop, etc), a thriving artistic community, ample free off-street parking, and a convenient location just minutes off of the 190-S, we are honored to welcome you to our new home.

Course listings are live at openartsbuf.com or directly linked at the bottom of this email.

For any questions, including those about what class might be right for you, please respond to this email or text co-founder Lauren directly at 716-604-6731.

With gratitude,
Michael & Lauren
Buffalo Open Arts Atelier

Current Offerings:

Click here for an update from Buffalo Open Arts Atelier!

04/27/2026

Classes start one week from tomorrow - are you registered? Head to openartsbuf.com to view this sessions’ class listings. Looking forward to welcoming you all into our new studio!

04/17/2026

Unpacking the new klopfenstein easels. Very exciting!