Broadening Art in the Community
Williamsville Art Society seeks new members
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Members of the Williamsville Art Society give their attention to watercolorist Dan Meyer as he demonstrates some techniques.

The Williamsville Art Society has been a watering hole for artists in the village for more than 55 years.

The society was originally created by a group of local artists who wanted to broaden art within the community.

Once boasting more than 100 dues-paying members, the group currently has about 75 members who specialize in different media.

"We have more watercolorists. I'd say about 30 to 40 percent of our group is watercolorists," said Judie Pufpaff, president of the art society. "We also have people who do acrylics and pastels and people who do a little bit of everything and play with different media."

Pufpaff, who works basically with oil paints but does some mixed-media pastel work, has been a member of the society for about six years and notes that the group intends on becoming more involved with the community while increasing membership.

"At this point, we are looking for young artists to join because we need their ideas, enthusiasm and energy," she said.

Watercolor artist and guest speaker Dan Meyer shows off some of his work to members of the Williamsville Art Society. Every meeting the group has includes a demonstration by an artist.

The group holds monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road. Two shows - one in April or May and a holiday show in November - are also held every year at 5500 Main St.

Entrance into the art society and to the shows is open to anyone. All shows are held at the Village Square Gallery, 5500 Main St.

"There are no juries to get into the show or the group," Pufpaff said. "That's not one of our priorities, because we want budding artists in the group. Watching them grow is the best thing."

Dues for the group are $30 a year and to display two pieces at any show is also $30, with an additional fee of $10 if extra room is needed.

"We have some artists with very large work, and we don't want to exclude them," Pufpaff noted. "But we have tremendous participation. We usually have around 100 pieces, and there are pieces on display all year at the gallery."

Williamsville Art Society President Judie Pufpaff and Treasurer Art Theobald go over some business at the group's monthly meeting.

The group also provides a $500 scholarship to any graduating high school student in the Williamsville, Amherst or Sweet Home school districts who is going to art school.

"Originally it was just open to Williamsville students, but the response was so poor that we opened it up to Amherst and Sweet Home," she said. "It's not a lot of money, but it would pay for some art supplies."

Meetings for the group entail a short business meeting followed by a demonstration by one of the society's members - an attraction that brings about half of the members to the meetings.

"It really depends on the demonstrator," Pufpaff said. "If it's a better-known artist like Margaret Martin, then more people turn out."

For Pufpaff, the mixing and mingling of accomplished artists and budding talent are one of the best things about the art society.

"We have many beginners for whom the show brings an increased number of people to see their work, but we do count on our accomplished members to bring up the quality of the shows," she said.

And as for being involved in the community, the society is looking to step that up as well.

Since its inception, the Amherst Celebrates the Arts Festival has hosted displays by the art society.

Pufpaff and the rest of the society are also constantly in search of new places to show off the group's work. Currently, in addition to their annual shows, they show occasionally at nursing homes.

"We have tremendous participation with our shows," she said. "We have some very accomplished artists who are always looking for a place to show their work."

For more information on the art society, stop by a meeting at

cost of $3, or call 634-7015.