CEPA Gallery

CEPA Gallery, situated in the heart of Buffalo’s historic Market Arcade Complex, is a dynamic center for contemporary photography and visual arts that bridges creativity, education, and community engagement. With a strong commitment to innovation and accessibility, CEPA has become a vital part of the city’s cultural fabric, serving as both a launching pad for emerging artists and a platform for more established voices working in lens-based and related media.

The gallery features three exhibition spaces that rotate regularly, offering visitors fresh perspectives on photography and visual storytelling. From experimental installations to traditional techniques reimagined, CEPA’s exhibitions are curated to challenge assumptions, encourage dialogue, and connect audiences to the evolving language of the image.

Beyond its exhibitions, CEPA’s impact extends into the community through a broad spectrum of educational and public programming. Workshops, youth initiatives, and artist residencies offer individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels the opportunity to explore the creative process. Schools, nonprofits, and community groups partner with CEPA to bring the visual arts into classrooms and neighborhoods, fostering creative expression and critical thinking among participants of all ages.

A unique feature of CEPA is its open-access darkroom and digital photo lab, which invites artists and hobbyists alike to explore both analog and digital methods of image-making. These facilities are essential tools in CEPA’s mission to democratize the artistic process and make visual art creation available to all, regardless of experience or economic background.

As a cornerstone of Buffalo’s contemporary art scene, CEPA Gallery continues to inspire, educate, and empower through photography. It stands not only as a gallery but as a collaborative space where creativity flourishes and the power of visual culture is harnessed to shape both personal and public narratives.