Contemporary art matters most when it’s woven into everyday life—when it reflects the complexity of our world, responds to its challenges, and brings people together across difference.
BICA is an artist-run nonprofit cultural organization located on Buffalo’s West Side in the Essex Street Arts Center, a former ice house that once housed the early studios of Cindy Sherman, Robert Longo, and Charles Clough, and was the original home of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.
BICA was founded in 2018 in a converted mechanic’s garage with a simple idea: that Buffalo deserves a space for contemporary art that is ambitious, welcoming, and deeply connected to its place. Just a few blocks from that original garage, our current home continues that legacy—supporting artistic risk and civic imagination through exhibitions, a free alternative art school, a regional print magazine, and a regranting program that puts funding directly into artists’ hands.
All of our programs are free or pay-what-you-can, and each one is designed to make contemporary art accessible while strengthening Buffalo’s creative infrastructure for the long term.
Mission:
Our mission is to build, support, and sustain creative life in Buffalo through programs that are rooted in place and open to the world.
Vision:
We envision a world where regional culture drives global conversation and a city where art makes the future feel possible.
Staff
Staff
Nando Alvarez-Perez
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Nando Alvarez-Perez is a photographer, educator, and co-founder of the Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art (BICA), where he serves as Co-Director of Programs & Publications. He oversees BICA’s exhibition program, working closely with artists to develop ambitious new projects, and guides the editorial direction of Cornelia, BICA’s triannual print magazine. He is also deeply involved in shaping the pedagogy of BICA School, contributing to its curriculum, critiques, and collaborative learning ethos.
Nando’s photographic work has been exhibited across North America and Europe. He holds an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and a BA in Film Studies from Hunter College. In addition to his work at BICA, Nando is a freelance photographer and educator who has taught at Alfred University, the University of Rochester, and California College of the Arts, and formerly worked as a Creative Lead at Airbnb.
→ Email Nando
Emily Ebba Reynolds
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Emily leads BICA’s fundraising, communications, strategic planning, and organizational development, and co-curates the exhibition program. She also oversees advertising for Cornelia, helping connect regional artists and audiences across platforms.
In addition to her work at BICA, Emily is the Marketing and Communications Manager at the University at Buffalo Art Galleries. She holds a master’s degree in Exhibition and Museum Studies from the San Francisco Art Institute and a BA in Art History from the University of Colorado Boulder.
→ Email Emily
Wavy
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wavy is an artist and musician living and working in Buffalo. They joined BICA first as a gallery sitter, then as an intern, and now serve as Gallery Assistant and Generator Fund Coordinator. They are the primary contact for BICA’s Generator Fund, help coordinate installations and events, and support the publication and distribution of Cornelia. They also assist with day-to-day communications, photography, and exhibition logistics.
wavy is a member of BICA School and has exhibited their work at Hunt Gallery, Trimania, the Burchfield Penney Art Center, and BICA. They make music under the names Way2WavyBaby and C4W2.
Twinka
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Twinka isn’t much help around the gallery, but she’s a consistent presence at BICA and an enthusiastic greeter for visitors of all kinds. During installations, her tail does more than its fair share of sweeping, and during BICA School critiques and reading groups, she can usually be found napping or collecting pets from artists. She hasn’t always done the reading, but that doesn’t stop her from chiming in when she feels strongly.
→ Give Twinka a Treat
Board
Board
Rachel Adams, Chief Curator and Director of Programs, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
H Boone, Artist
Julia Dzwonkoski, Artist
Kyla Kegler, Artist & Teacher
Olivia McManus, Director, Rivalry Projects
Chris Ryan, In-House Counsel, US Bank
Sam Savarino, President & CEO, Savarino Companies