Camping Companions

Looking for things to do near Niagara Falls, NY that won’t break the bank? We have lived near Niagara Falls our entire lives, and never knew about the Castellani Art Museum on the campus of Niagara University. We figured it was about time for us to visit this place and we weren’t disappointed. There was a wide array of different styles of art, but I really liked that there were a lot of local artists, and videos from some of the students who have attended the University there. And the very best part is touring the museum is free, although donations are appreciated.

We started our tour in the main area where we saw a room sized map of the area around Niagara Falls, Niagara University, and the surrounding towns.

Next we entered the Folk art section, which is art that is a unique expression of cultural heritage and traditions. From there we entered the Tuscarora Native American exhibit which shows how the Niagara Power Authority took the Native Americans land in order to create a reservoir. You can read more about it here. We also saw beautiful displays of beadwork.

I think we were both impressed by the theater section, which showcased costumes, scripts, miniature dioramas of stage sets, stage blueprints, and more. The pottery section showed how one local woman creates art using clay and how each time someone picks up a piece of her work, the artist and user are connected. There were several rooms to explore throughout the museum, like the Pop Postmodernism room, the Abstract Art gallery, and the gallery depicting the war in the Ukraine through the eyes of art.

In addition to the displays, the Castellani Art Museum runs programs such as Kids n Art Summer Camp, Folklife workshops, and public tours. Words can’t convey how interesting spending just a few hours there can be. You can take a tour by clicking our link below, or better yet, come experience the colorful and creative exhibits for yourself. Learn how you can support and learn more about the Gallery and its upcoming events by clicking here.

Hours

Wednesday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Thursday 1–7 p.m.

Friday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Free admission