There’s nothing easy about the career of an unaffiliated local artist.  Producing quality art is only half the battle; marketing, self-promotion, cultivating an audience and finding outlets to showcase your best creations adds additional strain and time.  It can be an exhausting venture.

Queen City Prints, founded by Christopher Reilley as a means of boasting Buffalo’s artistic talent, presents “artforms,” an exhibition to showcase photography, painting, illustration and mixed media in a luxurious setting—the glorious Avant Building (200 Delaware Ave.).  “Artforms” runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 tonight (Thursday); tickets are available for $30 pre-sale here, and Reilley announced that there will be limited ticket availability at the door.  Booyah.

Having climbed to the 16th floor of Uniland’s Avant before (via elevator, of course), the view is breathtaking, and the decor made us feel, at least for a few hours, like we had ascended to a higher social class.  Sometimes that little ego boost is nice, even if we were kidding ourselves.  Chocolate delicacies from Oh, Pour l’Amour du Chocolat—which, in English, means “Oh, for the love of chocolate!”—will be available, as well as appetizers that the press release deems “delectable.” 

Familiar names adorn Queen City Prints’ lineup: Christina Laing, Marcus Wise, Chuck Tingley, Bruce Adams and Reilley, among others, will have their work on display and available for purchase.  Buffalo.com freelance photographer Chuck Alaimo has a piece for show as well.  The images in the carousel on the QCP homepage reveal the expertise and attention to detail of the featured artists.  Who doesn’t enjoy a slightly mournful shot of the grain elevators at dusk?  Ah, to dream about Buffalo’s glory days.

Plus, part of the proceeds benefits the American Cancer Society.  Nice.