The Staff at CEPA Gallery
Here they are—the people behind Western New York’s most vibrant contemporary photography and visual arts center. Their shared commitment to serve artists and the artistic practice, engage audiences with exhibits and events of interest, and inform the larger not-for-profit cultural field as to what’s groundbreaking in the visual arts reaches approximately 300,000 people each year.
Lawrence Brose : Executive Director
Lawrence Brose is a seasoned executive director with over twenty-five years in not-for-profit administration and fundraising. His innovative leadership has been acknowledged by many community service awards including the NY State Governor’s Arts award in 2001. His leadership skills have been acknowledged by major foundations including the Andy Warhol Foundation, Ford Foundation, John R. Oishei Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and the NY State Council on the Arts.
He has received many awards including several NYSCA Individual Artist grants and is a 2003 NYFA Fellowship Awardee. He has served as a panelist for NYSCA’s Individual Artist and Visual Arts Programs.
Lauren Tent : Education Director
Lauren is the Education Director at CEPA Gallery where she oversees the in-school, after-school, and summer arts programs for youth. In addition she runs the workshop program and is an adjunct instructor with Empire State College.
She received an associates degree in photography from Villa Maria College, a B.A. in photography and an M.A.H. with a focus on Art History and English Education, both from the University at Buffalo. She has been with CEPA as Education Director since 1999, but has been involved with CEPA since an internship and employment as an assistant in 1985. She has taught photography classes at Villa Maria College, Daemen College, and the Visual Studies Department at the University at Buffalo.
Lynda Kaszubski : Executive Assistant
The executive assistant for Just Buffalo Literary Center, CEPA Gallery, and Big Orbit Gallery, Lynda G. Kaszubski has over 25 years experience in the office environment, having previously co-owned a typesetting service for 15 years before joining Just Buffalo Literary Center. She is currently in a shared position with all three non-profit organizations as part what is believed to be the nation’s first true administrative collaboration in the arts.
She has an A.S. in Business Administration from SUNY Empire State College, and is a Notary Public for the State of New York in Erie County.
Melissa Grainger : Development Director
Melissa has returned as the Development Director for CEPA Gallery after having been retired for some time. She most recently worked for HSBC Bank USA, N.A. overseeing their corporate donations to the Western New York community. In addition to having consulted on CEPA’s auctions in the past she has also worked for a number of local not-for-profits including the Irish Classical Theatre Company, The Buffalo Arts Council, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Melissa has a BFA in photography from the University at Buffalo and like her colleagues was an intern at CEPA Gallery as a student. Her photography work was last seen at the IM/EXPRESSION exhibit at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
Staff Teaching Artists Board Funders