Founded as The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy on Dec. 4, 1862, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery will celebrate a great 150 years with Founder’s Week next month.

The Gallery will be open to the public between Dec. 4 to 7 with free admission, extended hours and special events. Visitors will be especially entertained when the week culminates with a first Friday event. At 7 p.m., artists Heather and Eric ChanSchatz will be discussing their new project, which 150 Western New Yorkers took part in. Following at 8:30pm, the Albrights are playing in the auditorium.

Here is a look at some Founder’s Week events taking place. For a full schedule, head over to the Albright-Knox website.

Tuesday, Dec. 4: free admission to the Gallery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10:30 a.m.—Docent-led tour
11:30 a.m.—Exploring Feelings: focus on German expressionism, focus talk with Curator of Education, Mariann Smith
1:30 p.m.—Tour with Associate Curator of Education, Nancy Spector
4:30 to 6:45 p.m.—Happy hour with music by Handsome Dan

Wednesday, Dec. 5: free admission to the Gallery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10:30 a.m.—Docent-led tour
11:30 a.m.—Playing with Your Mind: focus on surrealism, focus talk with Curator of Education, Mariann Smith
1:30 p.m.—Tour with Associate Curator of Education, Nancy Spector
4:30 to 6:45 p.m.—Happy hour with music by Projex

Thursday, Dec. 6: free admission to the Gallery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10:30 a.m.—Docent-led tour
11:30 a.m.— When the Art World Came to New York: focus on abstract expressionism, focus talk with Curator of Education, Mariann Smith
1:30 p.m.—Tour with Associate Curator of Education, Nancy Spector

Friday, Dec 7:  free admission to the Gallery from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.—Art classes for all ages (each class is FREE for members / $10 for non-members)
1:30 p.m.—Public tour
4 p.m.—“What’s Your Vision?” tour
5 to 7 p.m.—Artist hosted art activity for families, Artist-in-Residence: the magic of transformation from old to new
5:30 to 6:45 p.m.—Happy hour and jazz with George Kane and Wayne Moose
7 p.m.—Universals Albright-Knox 150 celebration with Eric and Heather ChanSchatz
8:30 p.m.—Performance: The Albrights (FREE for members / $5 for non-members)

For more information on Founder’s Week and a detailed description of events, head over to the Albright-Knox website for details.

Photo courtesy of the Albright-Knox.