Events 2023- 2024. more...
Past Events
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 -
The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo is having a special program in the Polish Room at U.B. North Campus Lockwood Library. Rose Orcutt, UB Polish Room Librarian, will give a presentation on the contents and use of the library. There w111 also be a tour of the Polish Room.
The event will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM.
The Polish Room collection includes over 12,000 volumes plus many historical artifacts. There are 21 manuscripts of the Polish Kings from the 16th to 18th centuries.
It is important to note that the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo was a primary force that established the Polish Room Library.
As you enter the UB North Campus, follow the signs that direct you Lockwood Library. Park is Baird Lot B. Enter Baird Lot A and drive up to Baird B. This will place you across the small roadway of Lockwood Library.
For those who need handicap parking, there are several handicap parking places in front of Lockwood Library. For use of those spaces, we need to know the license number of your vehicle. You will receive a special parking permit. You will also need your regular handicap permit. Contact Stan Nowak with your vehicle information. Phone: 716-837-2061 or email at stanjn79@hotmail.com.
Getting to the Polish Room for those who need an elevator: go to Baldy Hall, which is next to Lockwood, take the elevator to the 2nd floor. The library will be to you left as you exit the elevator.
The event is scheduled for 5:30 PM because the library closes at 7 PM. Contact Stan Nowak for more information or if you plan to attend.
See events for Spring 2023
February 5th – Opening Program and Reception-Public Display of a first print edition of Copernicus’ earth- shaking book: On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Sphere (De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium) Ring of Knowledge and Grosvenor Room Main Floor Sponsors: Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College. RSVP reception and program wyrobekml@gmail.com by Feb.1 Note: rare book edition displayed through the month of February.
February 19th –Sunday 1:00 p.m. Scholarship Luncheon and Officers Installation.
White Elephant Banquet Hall, 1404 Abbott Rd.,Lackawanna, NY14218 Watch for mailed invitation, Chairman: Robert Fronckowiak 716-364-1447. $45 members; $50 non-members.
February 26th – Sunday 2:30 p.m.Chopin and Copernicus: The Art of the Heavens, a multi-media presentation celebrating the anniversary of Copernicus’ 550th birthday and the 213th birthday of Frederick Chopin. Canisius College Montante Center, 2021 Main St., Buffalo. Sponsors: Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College, Chopin Singing Society and the Polish Arts Club. A reception will follow.
April 19th - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Topic: Jozef Slawinski. Accomplished artist Józef Sławiński came from Poland to Buffalo in the 1960s and made the Niagara Frontier his home for two decades. Sławiński created artwork to reflect and inspire, the civic, historical, architectural, religious, natural, and cultural heritage of the WNY community. We will consider both Sławiński's artistic vision as well as his versatility and skill in using varied materials and labor-intensive processes, such as hammered copper, portraits and layered cement murals known as Sgraffito. Presenter: Eleanor Ash, Harlem Rd Community Center, 4255 Harlem Rd. Sponsor: Polish Arts Club, Refreshments following presentation.
May 17th – Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Topic: Illumination Stained Glass Studio, Architectural Stained Glass and Glass Education. Presenter: Sister Mary Ann Therese Kelly, Harlem Rd Community Center, 4255 Harlem Rd. Sponsor: Polish Arts Club, Refreshments following presentation.
June 21, 2023 – Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Topic: Spirit of Place: Roadside Shrines of Poland "It is said that every country has its "genius loci," its "spirit of place," that particular something that gives it its very own uniqueness and distinctiveness. That spirit of place, that special individuality that marks Poland must be the hundreds of thousands of roadside chapels, crosses and shrines that dot both its cityscape and landscape. What are these objects? What do they mean? How did they come to be here, in this particular place? Who set them here? Why are they important? Presenter: Sophie Hodorowicz Knab, Harlem Rd Community Center, 4255 Harlem Rd. Sponsor: Polish Arts Club, Refreshments following presentation.
Please Note: The Polish Arts Club is pleased to announce that the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library has accepted the Sgraffito mural, The Spirit of Buffalo by Joseph Slawinski. This mural is a gift to the Arts Club by Joseph’s son, which was in turn gifted to the Main Library. An unveiling and reception will be scheduled in the Spring. Watch for details.
Polish Room Lockwood Library: Members of the Polish Arts Club have borrowing privileges from The Polish Room located in room 517 in the Lockwood Library at the State University of New York at Buffalo. It was established in 1955, on the occasion of a large conference of Polish Americans held in Buffalo. The 21 royal documents, that are the cornerstone of the collection, were donated to the library. Their purchase was arranged by the prominent Polish journalist, Aleksander Janta, the 3rd president of the Polish Arts Club. Some of the collection has been digitalized. Check out www.library.buffalo.edu/polishroom
The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc. is a 501(c ) 3 non-profit. Dues and contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. www.PolishArtsClubofBuffalo.com Mailing address PO Box 259, Buffalo, NY 14207 The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc. receives funding from Erie County.
Sunday, February 19, 2023, 1 p.m.
White Elephant Banquet Hall , 1404 Abbott Rd., Lackawanna,NY
2022 PACB Scholarship Foundation winners:
Anna Pascucci and Kristen Smigielski
$45.00 PACB Members, $50.00 non-members, Family style sit down meal
Information and Reservations call: 716-364-1447
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Including a special memorial for Wanda Slawinska
(Her husband, Josef, was the architect and artist of the 5 murals and decorative ironwork in the chapel)
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 - 11am Mass
Celebrant: Rev. Max Avila, Conv., Guardian of the
St. Francis of Assisi Friary Chapel, 4214 St. Francis Drive
Off Rt. 75. and Lake Shore Dr., Hamburg, NY 14075
Reservations are required due to limited seating. Please indicate if you will be attending the lunch following the Mass at a local restaurant. Lunches will be ordered on individual checks.
Call Christine Nowak: 716-260-1349 or email Stan Nowak: stanjn79@hotmail.com
Parking is available exit to the Friary Chapel, Handicapped parking is available in front of the chapel. A collection will be taken during the Mass. If you cannot attend and would like to donate for the upkeep of the Friary, please send your donation to the above address.
Sunday, May 15, 2022 - Benefit Concert of Classical and Sacred Music by Young Artists Supporting Ukraine.
Sopranos: Brittany Mruczek, Haley Brunstad, Melanie Bebak.
Brass: Nathan Oehler, William Wisnoski with Ivan Docenko, pianist. Performing the music of Lysenko, Chopin, Moniuszko, Mozart, Lloyd-Weber, and more
Reception sponsored by St. Michael Church, Polish American Congress WNY Division and the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo.
Free will offering to benefit the Polish American Congress Fund for Ukraine and the Polish Singers Alliance of American Scholarship Fund. Concert will be livestreamed from St. Michael Church Buffalo Facebook page.
Program sponsorship: Platinum $250, Gold $100, Silver $50, By May 8th
Scholarship and donations to: Polish Singers Alliance, c/o Brookfield Lane, Cheektowaga NY 14227
Date: Sunday , May 15, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: St. Michael Church, 651 Washington Street, Buffalo 14203
Saturday, April 23, 2022 - The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo invites you to a luncheon at a Rochester Polish Restaurant prior to the Chopin in Music and Letters Concert.
The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo invites you to a luncheon at a Rochester Polish Restaurant at 1:30 p.m. prior to the Chopin in Music and Letters Concert offered by the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European studies. The concert is held at the Ashbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 on Saturday April 23, at 4:30 p.m.. Contact Bob Fronckowiak 716-364-1447 or fronckow@hotmail.com for luncheon details and reservations due by April 20, 2022.
Date: Saturday, April 23,2022
Location: Ashbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 28, 2022 - A Book Talk by author John Pomfret on From Warsaw with Love: Polish Spies, the CIA , and the Forging of an Unlikely Alliance.
The Western New York Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation and the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo invites you to a Book Talk by author John Pomfret on From Warsaw With Love: Polish Spies, the CIA, and the Forging of an Unlikely Alliance on Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Research and Information Center (RIC), Room 120 on the Daemen College Campus, 4380 Main Street, Amherst 14226.
Joby Warrick, Pulitzer-Prize winning author says of the book: “An astonishing account of one of the most consequential spy-agency collaborations since the Cold War. Fast-paced, with startling revelations and exquisite story-telling.
Date: April 28, 2022
Location: 4380 Main Street, Amherst NY
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 27, 2022 - The United Nations Holocaust Remembrance Day, Commemorating the 1945 Liberation of Auschwitz-Berkenau, the largest Nazi German death camp.
The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture in cooperation with the Buffalo Jewish Federation, the Holocause Resource Center and a number of organizations will host the opening of 'The Girl in the Diary' Exhibit.
Exhibit-Opening Reception
Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
Exhibit Dates:
January 27- May 2022
Museum Hours:
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January and February - Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays, 11 AM - 4PM
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March, April and May - Tuesday - Sunday 11AM - 4PM
Date:
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Location:
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 453 Porter Ave., Buffalo, NY
Sunday, February 6, 2022 - Students/Scholarship recipients viewing art display exhibit and musical performance.
Come and renew friendships and enjoy meeting Scholarship Recipients:
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Ryan Washcalus (Fine Arts-Animation) 2020
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Evangelista Schmarder (Masters in Music Education) 2021
For Reservations at $30.00 per person call Robert Fronckowiak at 716-364-1447
Split Club Drawing and Basket raffles.
Reservation Deadline January 25, 2022
Date:
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Location:
Illio Di Palo's Restaurant and Banquet Hall, 3785 South Park Ave.,Blasdell, NY 12 pm 2022
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - Business Meeting: Nomination and Election of Officers and Board of Directors.
Business Meeting:
* Presidents Address
*Club's year-end committee reports
*Nominations and elections for:
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President
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2nd Vice President
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Financial Secretary
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Treasurer (vacant)
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3 Directors
After Business meeting we have a Holiday treat. Mr. Michael Zachowicz, noted musician, will lead us with the singing of Polish and English Christmas Kolendy. A Holiday social hour will also take place after the program (per COVIC policy)..
Mr. Leonard Szczesny, a member of the PACB for may years, has written a super autobiography titled "From There to Here As I Remember It." The book "talks about his challenging journey of growing up in 1931 Poland and witnessing the consequences brought by the terrors of war and the cruelty of forced labor." Leonard will be present at the annual meeting to sign your copy of his book. The book can be ordered from Amazon.com. Bring your book to the meeting for signing.
Any questions or concerns about the meeting contact:
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Felix Klempka, President - 716-874-1007 catkoop@aol.com
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Stan Nowak, 1st Vice-President - 716-837-2061 stanjn79@hotmail.com
Harlem Road Community Center requires non-vaccinated guests to wear a mask when in the building.
Date:
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Location:
Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst, NY beginning at 7 PM
Time: 7 p.m.
Honoring Nicolaus Copernicus
Sunday, February 5, 2023 - 2:30 p.m.
Buffalo And Erie County Public Library
Main Floor, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo
In honor or 550th Birthday of Mikolaj Kopernik, 1473-1543
Father of Modern Astronomy
Opening Program and Reception for the public display of The Library's 1543 first edition of
Copernicus' controversial masterwork, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium).
RSVP reception/program wyrobekml@gmail.com by Feb.1
The Copernicus work will be on display in the Library's Grosvenor Room, Main Floor, February 1-28,2023
Sunday, February 19, 2023 12 Noon
St. Michael Church, 651 Washington Street, Buffalo
Mass and Reception celebrating the 550th Anniversary of the Birth of Nicolaus Copernicus
Sunday, February 26, 2023, 2:30 pm
Canisius College Montante Cultural Center
2021 Main Street, Buffalo 14208
Chopin and Copernicus: The Art of Heavens
A multimedia Presentation celebrating the 550th birthday of Copernicus and the 213th birthday of Frederick Chopin featuring Chopin's music presented by Maria Chomicka and Melanie Bebak, images from the Webb Telescope by Paul Krupinski, a Presentation by the Chopin Singing Society, and more.
Reception Following
In September the Polish Arts Club held a Biesiada, a banquet celebrating Michael Zachowicz and Sophie Hodorowicz Knab. The celebration was held in the 1880’s Room at Joseph’s Country Manor in Depew, NY. Michael has been involved in promoting Polish culture since his youth. A walking knowledge of Polish history, Michael is a member of the Chopin’s singing society and a familiar face in many local Polonia organizations and events. Sophie is a participant in the Polish Legacy Project assisting in documenting stories and memories of those who lived through the war. Her contributions to the body of knowledge of things Polish can be measured by the books and newspaper articles she has authored and the presentations she has made across the United States. We congratulate both of them.
The monthly meeting of the Polish Arts Club in September featured a presentation by Greg Witul on the Polonia Trail.. Showcasing more than 100 sites in a detailed, chronicled online website, the Polonia Trail of Western New York (https://poloniatrail.com/) gives interested readers a chance to really get to know some of the most prominent sites (still active or closed) across the region that have had significance to the Polish American community.
The October meeting focused on The Best of Buffalo’s Murals, especially through the sponsorship of the Albright Knox. This presentation by photographer Chuck LaChiusa featured murals by nationally and internationally famous muralists. Chuck maintains a website of Buffalo Architecture and History as a public service. Explore the site at Https://Buffaloah.com
In November Dr. Bogdan Kotnis, author of Kaz: War, Love, and Betrayal discussed his historical drama packed with action and suspense, which connects the United States and Poland through the exploits of Kazimierz Pułaski, the General of the Continental Army and the Colonel of the Bar Confederacy. It is a book for all times which helps us better understand the reasons for today’s Russian war in Ukraine. General Kazimierz Pulaski (Kaz) forfeits his family’s wealth and steadfast love to battle the Russian and British troops during the 18th-century wars shaping the world as we know it today.
After Our Annual Meeting in December Robert Fronckowiak presented a power point of some of Eugene Dyczkowski’s artworks. The gathering culminated with the singing of Kolendy led by Michael Zachowicz followed by a reception.
The January meeting featured Audience Award Wiinner film, and Best Documentary Feature at the UK Jewish Film Festival 2010. Irena Sendler: In the Name of Their Mothers.The True Story. The remarkable story of Irena Sendler and a group of young Polish women who risked their lives to save thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII as told in her own words. Introduced by Mary Lou Wyrobek.
The generous financial gift of Mrs.Valentina Janta, wife of our third president, has provided the Polish Arts Club the opportunity to partner with other organizations to provide unique programming:
January 27-May 27, 2022 - The Girl in the Diary Exhibit - Search for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto. We joined with the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius, the Koret Foundation, The Buffalo Jewish Federation, the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo, and the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums in hosting the exhibit curated by the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow for a four month showing of the exhibit tracing the history of Rywka Lypsyc through her recently discovered diary and what may have happened to her after liberation. Approximately 5,000 people visited the exhibit, including over 500 students.
In October we joined with the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College in hosting the Il Giardino d'Amore Trio in their tour of the United States, offering a diverse musical program showcasing the talents of mezzosoprano Natalia Kawalek and founder and violinist Stefan Plewniak, with accompaniment by Octavio Vazquez, presenting Polish composers and others. Over 100 guests enjoyed the virtuosity of the performers
Thursday, October 7, 2021 - A concert of music by Polish composers from the Baroque to the contemporary. This program is made possible by the Aleksander and Walentyna Janta Fund of the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc.
Sunday, June 20, 2021 - The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo, Inc., celebrating its 75th Anniversary, is hosting pianist Igor Lipinski. Igor will present his program, “Masterpieces”, Look and Listen! This unique presentation pairs Classical Music with renowned Visual Master Works.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - The Harlem Road Community Center is closed until further notice. Therefore the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo meeting on Wednesday March 18 is postponed till further notice. Stay Safe wash your hands.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 - Linda Lund, the owner of Babcia’s Pierogi will share the history of our treasured dumpling. Join us to learn fun facts about the origin of pierogi and how they’ve evolved to today. The “Pierogi Queen” will share some of her favorite recipes, as well as tricks for success at home. Enjoy pierogi sampling. Pierogi will also be available to purchase to take home. A portion of the evening’s sales will be donated to the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo.
Sunday, January 26, 2020 - Scholarship Awards Luncheon, Celebrating our 75th Year (1945-2020), Luncheon, Installation and performances from our Two Scholarship Winners.
Sunday, December 15, 2019 - Social Hour, Wigilia Story by Rev. Cole Webster, Kolendy Featuring Polish Soprano Brittany Mruczek and accompanied by ivan Docenko.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - he fight for Monte Cassino combines an epic struggle, extraordinary courage, and tremendous sacrifice. From January to May 1944, fifty thousand Polish soldiers-both human and animal-fought to push the Allied offensive north to Rome. But there was more than military defeat of the Nazis in Italy at stake. Victory in the freezing, muddy mountainous wasteland that came to be the battlefield was supposed to unlock freedom for Poland. Working under British command, the Polish fighters at Monte Cassino achieved glory for their nation-but at a terrible cost. On the 75th anniversary year of the battle, this presentation unpacks how some of the most valorous warriors of Poland came to Monte Cassino, how they slogged their way to victory, and how we can appreciate their heroic deed.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - Accomplishments, 75th Anniversary, update of the 5 year Janta Chalenge Grant, Directors Reports, and Annual Meeting. Also, Rev. Cole Webster, Administrator of St Aloysius will present through pictures his trip to Europe including Poznań, Kraków, Wrocław, Częstochowain Poland and also Prague, Berlin and Vienna.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - Brazil has the third largest Polish diaspora community in the world, after the US and Germany. Although some Poles settled down in Brazil earlier, the mass Polish immigration movement, often called the "Brazilian fever", started only after the failure of successive national uprisings organized during the partitions period. The peak of immigration occurred in the two last decades of the 19th century. However, this was just the biggest surge of immigration, after which there were at least three smaller waves. Poles left Polish territory and were attracted to Brazil due to several important political/social/economic factors. But the four main immigration waves were different - not only did they settle in different places, but the Polish immigrants also had completely different origins, opportunities, ambitions and plans for their lives in Brazil. Based on her own field studies and existing scholarship, Dr. Siuda-Ambroziak will present a general profile of this heterogeneous Polish community in Brazil. She will also discuss important issues connected with its past, present and the immediate future, including ethnic revival issues, Polish ethnic organizations, citizenship matters, and other challenges for the Polish diaspora in Brazil.
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