Artist Bio

Laura Valkwitch is a visual artist and instructor based in Western New York, working primarily in oil painting and pyrography. Deeply inspired by the atmospheric drama of lake-effect clouds, her work explores the tension between permanence and impermanence—translating fleeting moments in the sky into layered, meditative compositions.

After beginning her formal art education at Niagara County Community College, Laura paused her academic studies to raise a family, continuing to create and take commissions throughout that time. In 2022, a residency at the Hunt Art Gallery marked a turning point, leading her to fully pursue her art career. She is now completing her BFA at the University at Buffalo.

Laura has exhibited at venues including Buffalo Arts Studio, Meibohm Fine Arts, the Carnegie Art Center, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. She is a proud member of the Buffalo Society of Artists and teaches drawing and painting locally.

Artist CV

Education

2025 - Present

  • BFA • University at Buffalo, Painting

2024

  • SUNY at Buffalo, Painting

2001

  • Niagara County Community College, Fine Art

Awards/ Scholarships

2025

  • Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs Scholarship • University at Buffalo

  • Evelyn Rumsey Lord Travel Award Scholarship • University at Buffalo

  • Philip C. Elliott and Virginia Cuthbert Elliott Scholarship • University at Buffalo

  • Sally Hoskins Potenza Memorial Scholarship • University at Buffalo

2024

  • Painting Department Scholarship • SUNY at Buffalo Art

  • Sponsored to attend Frieze Art Fair in NYC • Burchfield Penney Art Center

2019

  • “Best in Show” • 16th Annual Art on The Riverwalk, N. Tonawanda, NY

Group Exhibitions

2025

  • 716 Auction • Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo, NY

  • Hallwalls 51st Annual Members Exhibition • Hallwalls, Buffalo, NY

  • 2025 Evelyn Rumsey Lord Travel Award Exhibition • University at Buffalo, Amherst, NY

  • Passages, Portals, Possibilities • The Comma Fine Art Gallery, Orchard Park, NY

2024

  • Coalesce • The Pocket Gallery, Buffalo, NY

  • Anne Frank Project • SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY

  • 2024 Art Auction & Gala • Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo, NY

  • Paint the Town • Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, NY

  • Live on Five 2024 • Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo, NY

  • Looking Up • Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo, NY

2023  

  • Verge - Hunt Residencies II • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY

  • Live on Five 2023 • Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo, NY

  • Hunt Residencies Auction 2023 • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY

2022  

  • Partners in Art Complex 22nd Annual Studio Exhibition • Carnegie Art Center, N. Tonawanda, NY

2021  

  • Masters of Illusion – The Art of Trompe L’oeil • Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY

Public Art

2025

  • Mural • Erie County Health Mall, Buffalo, NY

  • Mural • TriMania, Tri-Main Bldg, Buffalo, NY

Residencies

2022   

  • Hunt Residencies II • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY

Related Work

2025

  • Vice President, Buffalo Society of Artists

  • Participating Artist • Artists in Gardens Buffalo Niagara • Buffalo, NY

  • Panelist • Currents Panel Discussion—Artist Impact with Hunt Gallery • Castellani Art Museum

  • Moderator • “CAM Meets” series with Alberto Rey • Castellani Art Museum

  • Workshop • Oil Painting • Alden High School

2024

  • Nominations Chair, Buffalo Society of Artists

  • Workshop • Plein Air Painting at Darwin Martin House • Buffalo Arts Studio

  • Workshop • Drawing from Nature • Burchfield Penney Art Center

  • Workshop • Cloudscape • Burchfield Penney Art Center

2023- Present

2022-23

  • Painting & Drawing Instructor • Carnegie Art Center, N. Tonawanda NY

  • Figure Drawing Host • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY

  • Youth Drawing Lessons • Tonawanda, NY

Press