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51����’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts will launch its 2026–27 performance and exhibition seasons on Sunday, Sept. 20, with a full afternoon of world-class fine art, live symphonic music and community celebration. 

This year’s opening day is dedicated to Friends of Good Music, whose generous and ongoing collaboration makes every performance in the Quick Center’s Performing Arts Series possible. 

The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with an opening reception in the Quick Center lobby atrium, where guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, conversation and the official opening of five fall gallery exhibitions.

The afternoon marks the grand opening premiere of four brand-new exhibitions in the Front, Dresser, Kenney and Laine galleries, alongside the ongoing exhibition on display in the Beltz Gallery: 

Front Gallery — Dalí’s Song of Songs

Curated by Br. Kevin Hamzik, O.F.M., MFA, this exhibition features 12 rare etchings from the 1970s by Salvador Dalí. Grounded in the biblical “Song of Songs” — an ancient poem celebrating human desire, companionship and divine allegory — the show explores the compelling intersection of sacred text, romantic devotion and Surrealist vision. 

Dresser Gallery — Tara Walker and Heather Harris

SBU faculty members Tara Walker and Heather Harris offer a captivating study in visual contrast, narrative depth and distinct artistic styles. Together, their distinct mediums and philosophies transform the space into a multi-layered exploration of form, feeling and the extraordinary boundaries of visual storytelling. 

Kenney Gallery — Fabric of Our Lives

Curated by Br. Kevin Hamzik, O.F.M., MFA, “Fabric of Our Lives” celebrates the global community that enriches our campus and world, reminding us that while our individual threads may be spun from different backgrounds, we are ultimately part of the same, beautifully complex canvas. 

Laine Gallery — Danny Bush 

Hosted within the Quick Center’s state-of-the-art immersion gallery, this showcase chronicles the parallel evolutions of 51���� and one of its most prolific visual storytellers: alumnus, creator and faculty member Danny Bush. 

Beltz Gallery — The Art of Storytelling

Located on the second floor, this ongoing exhibition explores the rich history of visual communication from the 14th through the 19th century. Visitors can enhance their experience with an exclusive audio tour narrated by actor, voice artist and former longtime SBU theater director Ed. Simone. 

At 3 p.m. on Sept. 20, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) takes the stage in the Rigas Family Theater to officially launch the 2026–2027 Performing Arts Series. Marking its second consecutive year performing at the Quick Center, the BPO will perform under the baton of world-renowned Music Director JoAnn Falletta. Founded in 1935, the ensemble continues to serve as Buffalo’s premier cultural ambassador across North America and internationally. 

Admission: Gallery admission and the reception are free. Concert tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and SBU employees, and $5 for students. 

Tickets: Concert tickets can be purchased online at or by calling the Quick Center Box Office at (716) 375-2494.

Eligible St. Bonaventure faculty and staff may also use their Meritain Health Wellness Card to purchase tickets to Quick Center performances. 

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 164 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked in the Top 25 overall and for value by U.S. News and World Report (2026).