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Beaded velvet pincushion with image of Niagara Falls by Marlene Printup (Cayuga/Bear clan), 1992
Beaded velvet pincushion with image of Niagara Falls by Marlene Printup, Tuscarora Cayuga/Bear clan, 1992

Castellani Art Museum

Castellani Art Museum, opened in 1990, is on the campus of Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York. I was pleased to have a chance to visit the museum during a lunch break from a conference on the campus.

Castellani Art Museum on a rainy September day
Castellani Art Museum on a rainy September day

The museum has a permanent collection of over 5,500 pieces of mostly modern and contemporary art, housed in a striking building, faced with Italian marble. This video gives a mini-tour of the museum.

Someone advised me to make the effort to seek out the museum and I’m glad I did. The collection, including works by favourites Albert Bierstadt and Giacomo Balla, is delightful and surprised me at every turn. For instance, the first exhibit I explored on folk art featured Indigenous beadwork which I love (as mentioned previously). The next, on vernacular architecture in Niagara County, had a display of photographs and drawings of barns, a topic I’ve become interested in recently due to an upcoming project at work.

Historical images of Niagara Falls were the cherry on top of a very enjoyable visit.

Castellani Art Museum is museum no. 54 in my #100museums challenge (see 100 Museums Challenge).