To our strong and vibrant art community — in Buffalo and beyond: Today, we lost one of the leading figures in our world — artist, writer, and art educator Bruce Adams.
Many of you know that Bruce was living and working with cancer since October 2020. A relentless creator and communicator, he continued to paint and publish his writing almost until the end.
Bruce's family will be grieving the loss of their husband, father, uncle, brother, and grandfather on their own time and in private. Because Bruce was such a big part of our arts community, they have asked us to let you know how we can gather, mourn, and pay tribute to Bruce as an artist, writer, educator, and friend.
Bruce's wife Renée has confirmed that if people are moved to make a donation to Hallwalls' Endowment in Bruce's memory, please donate to Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. Bruce was a long-time member, and was president of the Board of Directors for many years. He often referred to Hallwalls as his "church," as well as where he got his education in contemporary art.
Hallwalls is also a place you can visit if you would like to spend some time thinking about Bruce. Beginning Saturday March 13th from 5PM to 9PM, and during Hallwalls gallery hours through April 17th, there will be a tribute sign at the building entrance, and inside there will be a small tribute exhibition and a book where you can sign and share feelings and memories.
After that first day, Hallwalls' gallery is open Tuesday–Friday, 11am–6pm and Saturday 11am–2pm.
Over the next year and a half, there will be retrospective exhibitions of Bruce's extensive body of work in various other galleries that he also loved and supported. The legacy to be celebrated includes a collection of incredible paintings from 14 unique series, performances, and multimedia installations created over a period of 40+ years.
Bruce Adams was an uncompromising artist who was always proudly 100% from, about, and for Buffalo. We will miss him almost as much as he has impacted our world.
Thank you.
Edmund Cardoni, Elizabeth Licata, John Massier, Elisabeth Samuels, and Emily Tucker
photo by Julian Montague 