Special to the OBSERVER

LEWISTON — The public is invited to the opening of 2020 Vision: Women Artists in Western New York on Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. This free event will be the first comprehensive regional art exhibition focused on all women artists living in Western New York’s five counties.

The art of 185 women will be on the gallery walls of this prestigious contemporary art museum on the grounds of historic Niagara University near Lewiston. Intended to show the breadth and depth of the work of women artists, this exhibit will allow viewers to hear all the voices of women artists from five Western New York counties.

Dunkirk-area artists participating include Sheila Cannon, Carolyn Grady, Erin Ruffino and Fran Evedon as well as many artists from nearby Hamburg and other artists from our region.

Local corporations, and especially businesswomen, are invited to participate in the Business Purchase Award program by purchasing a piece of art from this exhibit to support women artists. Art by women artists will support corporate diversity programs, enhancing corporate and personal spaces. The opportunity to purchase art with this program will start during the opening on Feb. 20 and continue for six months. Signage will advertise purchasers to the 10,00 to 15,000 visitors expected at this exhibit. All purchase funds will go directly to the artist.

The exhibit will be open until Aug. 16. The Castellani Art Museum of historic Niagara University is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays and closed Monday. Admission is free.

During the daytime, families can combine a visit to the Castellani with the Niagara Power Vista, the Niagara Power Authority’s visitor center, just a short walk from the Castellani through Niagara University. Admission is free. The scenic and historic village of Lewiston is just a short, few-minutes drive away.