Feb 26, 2025

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University is opening two new exhibitions this spring. 

“Connectivity,” guest-curated by Gary Keem, a 1969 St. Bonaventure graduate, is on view now through May 15 in the Quick Center’s Dresser Foundation Gallery. 

“This exhibition celebrates the relationships of ties that bind formal elements of composition, shape and color,” said Paula Bernstein, assistant director at the Quick Center.

More than 50 pieces are displayed throughout the gallery, many by noted artists Rick Dillingham (1952-1994) and Joseph Orffeo (1926-2013).

Dillingham’s ceramic art was deeply rooted in his profound respect for Native American pottery, particularly that of the Ancestral Puebloans. His signature “broken pot” technique, where he would create, break, and then reconstruct vessels, became a powerful expression of this connection. While respecting traditional forms and designs, Dillingham also explored contemporary themes, as illustrated by his “Gas Can” series. In addition to his artistic contributions, he was a respected scholar, curator, and collector of Pueblo pottery.

Orffeo’s art masterfully blends abstractionist techniques with modern influences, creating a compelling body of work. His Buffalo origins are evident, reflecting both regional influences and inspiration from artists like Robert Blair and Charles Burchfield. A constant experimenter across various media, Orffeo continually sought new avenues for artistic expression. Exhibitions at respected institutions like the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts and the Smith Art Museum confirm his wider acclaim. His ability to balance abstraction with modernist principles speaks to the evolving trends in mid-20th century American art.

The second exhibition, “Climate Conversations: The Language of Trees,” is an immersive exhibition by Wil Bosbyshell. It opens March 20 and runs through April 5 in the atrium of the Quick Center. 

As a youngster, a hiking trip with his family in the mountains of North Carolina launched Bosbyshell’s love of nature. He views trees not as abstract objects but as individual living beings with their own stories. His art seeks to bring these stories to life.

Bosbyshell’s interactive collection features large-scale drawings, one more than 6 feet tall, silk screen monoprints and banners — all of which invite participation. Visitors can touch the fabric tree hangings as they walk through the exhibit, or they can jot down a thought and hang it on the Memory Tree. A poster filled with “tree memories” is free for each visitor.

“My work stems from personal questions and ongoing studies of how nature can serve our needs, and conversely, how we must also meet the needs of the natural environment,” Bosbyshell said.

He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and spent six years as an officer in the U.S. Army. After a successful business career in the private sector, Bosbyshell was awarded a residency at the Hungarian Multicultural Center in Budapest, which set the course for his artistic career. His work has been shown in numerous gallery exhibitions and can be found in dozens of private and corporate collections. He taught as an arts professor for two decades at technical and community colleges and today creates in the Hart Witzen Studios in Charlotte.

An opening reception and gallery talk with curator Keem will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in the Dresser Foundation Gallery, and an artist’s drawing session by Bosbyshell will be held at 6 p.m. on March 20 in the atrium. Both events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free and open to the public. 

For more information about the Quick Center’s exhibitions and programs, visit k6u2.zlmmc8.com/QuickCenter.