Castellani Art Museum launches new lifetime membership initiative honoring artists

Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University Press Release

Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University announced the launch of a new initiative granting lifetime memberships to all living artists whose work is part of the museum’s permanent collection. This program reflects CAM’s ongoing commitment to honor the artists whose work contributes to the cultural life and legacy of the museum, the university, and the broader Western New York community.

The initiative will be formally announced at “Evening on the Portico: A Members & Friends Event” Thursday, June 26, on the museum’s front steps. This annual gathering invites members, artists, and the community to experience an evening of art, music and connection. The event features an artist talk with Ellen Steinfeld, live music by the Celtic Cross duo, a live chalk mural by Lewiston-Porter High School students, and refreshments from Mint Cocktails & Kitchen and Fat Daddy’s.

As part of the evening’s program, the museum will recognize the first group of artists receiving their lifetime membership in person: Gary L. Wolfe, Ellen Steinfeld, Alberto Rey, Gerald Mead, Rosemary Rickard Hill, Erwin Printup Jr., Mary Annette Clause, Cheryl Greene and Marlene Printup.

This new initiative extends the spirit of generosity and vision set forth by Dr. Armand and Eleanor Castellani, whose dedication to the study, preservation and celebration of contemporary art led to the founding of the museum in 1976. Their original mission – to share their private collection with Niagara University students and the wider public to foster education and cultural understanding – remains at the core of CAM’s values today.

“This initiative celebrates the artists whose work is part of our collection and reflects the vision of Dr. Armand and Eleanor Castellani who believed deeply in making art accessible and meaningful to the public,” said Jessica Minicucci, head of membership at the Castellani Art Museum. “By welcoming these artists as lifetime members, we’re not only honoring their contributions, but also strengthening our membership program as a whole – creating a more inclusive, connected community where the people who create the art and the people who experience it come together in meaningful ways.”

The Castellani Art Museum is home to more than 5,000 works of art, including modern and contemporary art, Niagara Falls art, and folk art. Over the next several seasons, additional artists from near and far will be invited to museum events where they will be honored and presented with their lifetime memberships.