Laura Valkwitch is a dedicated artist whose journey echoes the intricate balance between personal devotion and professional ambition. Hailing from Western New York, Laura began her academic journey at Niagara County Community College. Yet, her path took a familial turn as she chose to nurture her growing family alongside her husband Mark Valkwitch, a fellow artist. During this period, Laura continued to hone her artistic skills and accept commission work, while also experimenting with diverse artistic mediums and techniques.
2019 marked a pivotal year for Laura when she transitioned into teaching, empowering adult students through the art of drawing. The fulfillment derived from this role fueled her aspiration to engage with art on a full-time basis. At the age of 40, Laura became one of the resident artists at Hunt Art Gallery, and her work has been shown at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Hunt Art Gallery, Meibohm Fine Arts, Buffalo Arts Studio, and the Carnegie Art Center.
Primarily working with oil as her chosen medium, Laura brings to life the magnificence of the lake effect clouds of Western New York. Drawn to the sublime aesthetic of high renaissance and the simplicity inherent in modern art, Laura considers each of her cloud paintings as portraits where she aims to capture the stunning diversity of their majestic formations.
While Laura continues to explore the expanses of her artistic capabilities she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Buffalo State University. Laura also contributes her insights and leadership as a board member of the Buffalo Society of Artists and as a painting instructor at Buffalo Arts Studio.
Group Exhibitions
2024
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
Accolades
2022
Hunt Residencies II • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Exhibiting Member • Buffalo Society of Artists, Buffalo, NY
2019
“Best in Show” • 16th Annual Art on The Riverwalk, N. Tonawanda, NY
Classes
Figure Drawing Host • C. Stuart and Jane H. Hunt Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Youth Drawing Lessons • Tonawanda, NY
In Memory of Daniel Holt
1986 - 2013