Buffalo, NY – Today, with the help of students from North Tonawanda Intermediate School, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery launched the museum’s Art Truck, a mobile center for hands-on creativity that will bring art classes and workshops for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of ability to communities throughout Western New York. 

The Art Truck has been made possible by a generous gift from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

The Art Truck will take art-making materials to schools, libraries, parks, senior centers, and other community centers in the eight counties of Western New York by appointment and in coordination with community partners. Art activities may include button, stamp, and puppet making, as well as collage, sculpture, and cyanotype creation. 

Students enhanced the truck’s bright blue wrapping by adding hundreds of stickers in a variety of shapes and colors in preparation for its first stop, at the Community Market at the Delevan-Grider Community Center on October 12, from 8 am until noon. Anyone visiting the Art Truck at its next few stops will be invited to continue adding stickers to the truck’s décor.

In launching the Art Truck, Albright-Knox Board President Alice Jacobs said, “Creative thinking is one of the most important skills we teach. It is a vital stepping-stone to innovative problem-solving for children and adults alike. We are sincerely grateful to BlueCross BlueShield for their support in expanding our reach beyond the walls of the museum and working to inspire all who encounter the AK Art Truck." 

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery,” said Julie R. Snyder, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “The Art Truck will bring a unique and interactive experience to children and families all over Western New York that will help develop healthy minds which are key to the future health of our community.”

Since 2007, BlueCross BlueShield has been the presenting sponsor of Art’scool, the museum’s flagship educational art program appreciated by nearly 200,000 school students. The Art Truck will extend the arts learning experience beyond the walls of the museum during the AK360 Campus Development project. 

The Albright-Knox’s main Elmwood Avenue campus will close on November 3 to accommodate the construction of a new building and renovation of its existing buildings. Known as AK360, it will be one of the largest cultural projects ever undertaken in Western New York. The Art Truck will help to ensure that the community can continue to engage with art, ideas, and one another throughout the two-year construction phase of the project and beyond.

Upcoming Art Truck Stops:

After-School Network of Western New York (820 Northampton Street)
Join us for free artmaking activities at the Albright-Knox's new Art Truck when it visits the After-School Network of Western New York's Lights On! Event on October 22, 4–7 pm.

The Belle Center (104 Maryland Street)
Join us for free artmaking activities at the Albright-Knox's new Art Truck when it visits the Belle Center on Election Day, November 5, 1–4 pm.

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