By Santiago Masferrer

The Latin American Cultural Association (LACA) is pleased to announce the re-opening of our Community Art Gallery in El Buen Amigo, our fair trade storefront and cultural center in Allentown.

The opening reception will feature a show by the Rich Art Experience, a group of individuals with special needs who create beautiful artwork in a variety of mediums.  The work on display will feature abstracts, landscapes, paint on photography and portraits by five different artists – Nancy Richert, Brian Federick, Ann Milliken, Betsy Roshner and Dan Mika. 

Some members of the Rich Art Experience have been working together for over 10 years, when the program was hosted by Spectrum Human Services in Orchard Park.  Their name is in honor of the art therapist, Molly Rich, who formerly ran that program. When the program was cut upon her retirement, Rich found an ally in her friend Barbara Murak.  Murak now runs the program, which meets weekly at the Impact Gallery in the Tri-Main Center.

“Our focus is on art-making, exhibiting and socialization,” Murak said. “The group members talk openly about the stigma of mental illness and demonstrate non-judgmental acceptance and support of each other.” 

LACA is honored to welcome the creative and accomplished group to our gallery.  We with our first show to display the love we have for not just our brother and sisters in Latin America, but to those in our surrounding community as well. 

In the near future we will be increasing our efforts to support the Buffalo Arts Community with community and cultural events such as gallery openings, live concerts and parties. We are working to cultivate relationships among artists and provide opportunities that encourage emerging artists to stay and work in Buffalo.