Happy awards season, everyone! While we certainly love watching our favorite celebs strut the red carpet, there’s another important accolade that comes to mind: the 2019 Buffalo Exchange Arts Award! According to Buffalo Exchange co-founder Spencer Block, art is not “the cherry on top” of life — rather, it is “essential to the well-being of society”. For the past two and a half decades, Buffalo Exchange has supported the creative spirit of Southern Arizona by honoring local artists, and performers with the Arts Award. Read ahead to learn more about the history of the Award and some of our past honorees. 

How the Arts Awards Came to Be

In 1994, Kerstin and Spencer Block founded The Buffalo Exchange Arts Award in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA). Since that time, the Fund has awarded $10,000 a year to one deserving local artist. This has allowed artists to continue their work in the local community.  We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate 25 years of the Arts Award by honoring not just one, but two Southern Arizonans who’ve made a significant impact in the lives of fellow Arizonans through their work. This year’s dual award will go to Allison Miller for Visual Arts and Bryan Falcón for Performing Arts. They’ll both receive $10,000 to continue their excellent work in the community during a ceremony on January 30th, 2020 at the Community Foundation Campus.

Buffalo Exchange Arts Awards Honorees

Dante Celeiro, Community Leader and 2018 Arts Award Recipient

Dante Celeiro is a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community of Tucson. After moving from NYC to the desert over 25 years ago, Dante has worked with the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation and now manages Boys R Us, Arizona’s first gender performance group. Dante also created Fluxx, a non-profit organization that advocates for an open dialogue around queer culture and works to increase visibility of queer arts and culture through exhibitions, performance art and workshops.

Nathanael Gregory Myers, Multi-Discipline Performing Artist and 2017 Arts Award Recipient 

As a multidisciplinary artist, Nathanael has showcased his art throughout a wide array of Tucson venues – most notably through his work with the Museum of Contemporary Art and through performances at Artifact Dance Project and The Rogue Theatre (you can also find some of his paintings hung in galleries across town!). A painter, dancer and musician, Nathanael works to combine romanticism, biology and elements of nature as he explores the mediums of visual and performing arts.

Rachael Rios, Visual Artist and 2016 Arts Award Recipient

The 2016 Buffalo Exchange Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Award went to artist Racheal Rios. Rachael is a native Tucsonan who describes her drawings as a reflection of her relationship with the desert and the things that inhabit it — common elements of her artwork include cactus flowers and various Arizona wildlife such as coyotes, javelinas and jaguars.

Rick Wamer, Visual & Performing Artist and 2015 Arts Award Recipient 

Rick Wamer has been described by Tucson Weekly as “part dancer, part actor, part comedian”. Mentored by the famed French actor and mime Marcel Marceau, Rick is a globally recognized performing artist who inspires and touches the lives of thousands each year. Rick is the co-founder of Embody Learning in Tucson.

Chris Black, Performing Artist and 2014 Arts Award Recipient

Chris Black is a composer and performer from Tucson. Currently playing primarily as a solo double bassist, he is the founder of the alt-classical chamber music concert series ChamberLab.

Heather Green, Visual Artist and 2010 Arts Award Recipient

The 2010 Arts Award was bestowed upon visual artist Heather Green. In Green’s own words, her work examines the “historical and ecological narratives of the Northern Gulf of California and Sonoran Desert.” A Tucson native, Heather currently works in Tempe as Assistant Professor of Book Arts at Arizona State University.

Since its creation in 1994, Buffalo Exchange has awarded over $214,000 to artists in Southern Arizona. As we look forward to the next decade, we’re reminded of a quote from Spencer Block: “Artists are the visionaries. They go where no one has gone and show us the way.” In 2020 and the years beyond, we can count on Buffalo Exchange and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to continue to celebrate artists in our community so they may continue their work, and in turn, continue to show us the way into the future.

Fall in love with buy, sell, trade at Buffalo Exchange Albuquerque! Never sold with us before? Now through February 14, first-time sellers that bring in their closet cleanout will receive a $5 off coupon for their next purchase. We’re buying for spring and the best of all seasons – current trends, vintage, designers and more. Bring in your sweaters, jeans, T-shirts, great layering pieces and anything else you’re cleaning out and remember that we buy shoes and accessories as well. See you soon, ABQ!

Wish there was a game you could play to make cleaning out your closet a little more fun? It’s happening now with Buffalo Bingo at Buffalo Exchange NYC! When you play Buffalo Bingo, you’ll win big prizes just for doing the things you normally do at your favorite NYC Buffalo Exchange store, like selling your closet cleanout and taking the trade, buying three or more items, or even just posting your Buffalo finds on social media! 

Here’s how it works: stop by any Buffalo Exchange New York location from now until February 14th, pick up your bingo card and start playing! When you complete 1-2 rows, you’ll win a goodie bag. Complete 3-4 rows for a deluxe goodie bag — and if you complete all five rows? You’ll snag the deluxe goodie bag AND be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Buffalo Exchange gift card! The fun is only around for a limited time, so claim your bingo card today! Cards must be redeemed for prizes by February 15.

By Aarian Frye; Photography by Furey Stirrat  

A Tucson transplant by way of the great plains, Mark Aubrey is a longtime Buffalo Exchange customer with a unique sense of style and a great appreciation for secondhand shopping. Mark grew up in Oklahoma, where his love of patterns, color and texture got a lot of attention. When he traveled down to the Southwest for grad school, he discovered Buffalo Exchange Tucson. Since then, he’s browsed his way through various locations over the past 28 years and found some amazing pieces along the way – find out what he loves about shopping resale!

Mark’s Favorite Buffalo Finds 

Since starting to shop at Buffalo Exchange, Mark has collected many pieces to round out his style – a gold pair of Oakley sunglasses and a Minnetonka bucket hat are among his favorites. In fact, the vintage leather hat is such a prized possession that, when it went missing one time, Mark’s friends created a lost-and-found post on social media. Luckily, Mark shares with a chuckle, the hat “was found stuffed between the wall and my bed’s headboard.” In keeping with his love of accessories, Mark’s favorite section in the store is the shoe wall – he’s always in search of his next pair of sneakers.

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By Marcella Willden, Photography and Artwork by Alex Coronel 

It’s been said that a picture is worth 1,000 words, but we think this new mural at Buffalo Exchange Austin, painted by local artist Alex Coronel, is easily worth 1 million! To learn more about his incredible mural, we caught up with Alex to chat about his creative process, passion for art and love for Buffalo Exchange.

When did your passion for art begin?

I’ve always considered myself an artist and I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember! When I worked for a friend’s theater company after college, I started creating murals without even knowing it — they needed an artist, so I signed on and painted a few backdrops. That experience came in handy when I applied to do my first mural and I felt more prepared than I initially thought I would!

How would you describe your artistic style?

I’d say that my style is ever-changing and unlimited. I would never want to snuff the light of an idea just because it wouldn’t fit into a certain style of mine. So, a lot of the time, I try a medium or style I’m not too familiar with. I quite enjoy it!

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Take chances! Instead of limited yourself to an 8×11 canvas, paint on something that’s 6 feet tall. Fill that space with something big— it doesn’t literally have to be a 6ft canvas, it can be anything that intimidates you. It might not be what you initially had in mind, but you may surprise yourself. I want to encourage aspiring artists to explore the art world with confidence and tenacity.

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If it feels like the spring semester arrived too soon, Buffalo Exchange Tucson and Rush Bowls have something to make your 8am lecture just a little bit sweeter. Sip and Shop with us from January 25th through February 1st and you can save big at both of our stores — just show your Buffalo Exchange receipt at Rush Bowls to receive 10% off of fruit bowls or smoothies or show your Rush Bowls receipt at Buffalo Exchange to receive a $5 off clothing coupon!

Hey fellas, Buffalo Exchange Fullerton, Long Beach and Santa Monica want to help you start the new year in style: it’s time for Dude-a-Palooza! Is your closet in need of some spring cleaning? This is the perfect time to sell your closet cleanout at Buffalo Exchange. Stop by one of these three SoCal stores now through January 31st to receive $5 off your next purchase when you sell us 5 or more pieces of awesome menswear! We’re currently buying for winter, spring and the best of all seasons, and your cleanout could turn into 30% back in extra spending cash or 50% in trade to spend on your spring wardrobe update. Dude-A-Palooza only comes around every so often, so don’t delay – for your chance to pick up a $5 off coupon when you sell 5 pieces of menswear, visit us Monday through Saturday 10am-8pm or Sundays 11am-7pm at the following locations only:

• Buffalo Exchange Fullerton
• Buffalo Exchange Long Beach
• Buffalo Exchange Santa Monica

See you soon!

Calling all UO Ducks! Is your wardrobe ready for spring? Kick-off the new semester in style at Buffalo Exchange Eugene! On Wednesday, January 29th, join us at our store in the Market District (131 E 5th Ave, 97401) from 7pm to 9pm for an exclusive after-hours shopping event. Students only! Please show your student ID at the door. Shop for cozy and cute winter pieces to get you through the rest of the season while getting a head start on warm-weather wear for spring. We’ll keep the party going with tasty refreshments, a super fun photobooth to get the perfect snapshot of you and your besties, and we’ll even be giving away gifts with purchase! But that’s not all: we’ll also be holding a raffle for a $50 gift card and swag bag! Must be present at the time of the drawing to win. We can’t wait to see you there!

TUCSON! Shop, save and fundraise at an upcoming Clothing for the Community® $1 sale! Update your wardrobe with a fantastic selection of clothing & accessories for JUST $1 apiece while supporting a great local non-profit. Through our new Clothing for the Community® program, Southern Arizona non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can apply to receive large clothing donations from Buffalo Exchange’s Sell By Mail program. Charities can then use this donation of clothing and accessories to generate money for their organization by hosting a $1 Sale. Variations of this program have raised $40,591 since 2015 and we look forward to even more charities and organizations benefiting from these donations. Read on to find out about $1 sales coming up soon!

Saturday, February 8th 

BICAS $1 Sale

On Saturday, February 8, BICAS will be hosting a fundraising $1 Sale at 2001 N 7th Ave. The sale starts at 9am and goes until 1pm (or while supplies last). 100% of the proceeds will benefit BICAS and their mission to support affordable bicycle transportation, education and creative recycling in Tucson. $1 items go quickly, so get there early to support this fantastic cause. Sale is CASH ONLY.

Date: Saturday, February 8th
Time: 9am-1pm (while supplies last)
Location: 2001 N 7th Ave

***Pay with CASH or CARD (card purchases limited to $5 and up)***

Saturday, March 21

Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona $1 Sale 

On Saturday, March 21, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona will be hosting a fundraising $1 Sale at Trinity Presbyterian Church (400 E. University Blvd.). The sale starts at 9am and $1 items go quickly, so get there early to support this fantastic cause! 100% of the proceeds will benefit Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, which services girls age 5-17 in Pima, Cochise, Greenlee, Yuma, and Santa Cruz Counties, along with southern parts of Graham, Maricopa and Pinal Counties

Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 9am-1pm (while supplies last)
Location: Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona (4300 E Broadway Blvd)

***Pay with CASH or CARD (card purchases limited to $10 and up)***

Sunday, April 5th 

Friends of Pima Animal Care Center $1 Sale

On Sunday, April 5, Friends of Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) will be hosting a $1 fundraising Sale at the Pima Animal Care Center (4000 N Silverbell Rd.). The sale starts at 9am and goes until 1 pm (or while supplies last). All of the proceeds from this sale will go directly to Friends of PACC and will help them to support PACC in their efforts to save pets in need who are waiting for a loving home. $1 items go quickly, so be sure to arrive early and help support Friends of PACC for this wonderful cause!

Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 9am-1pm (while supplies last)
Location: Pima Animal Care Center (4000 N. Silverbell Rd)

***Pay with CASH or CARD (card purchases limited to $10 and up)***

Saturday, May 16th

Downtown Community School $1 Sale

On Saturday, May 16th, Downtown Community School will host a $1 Sale at their campus ( 614 S Meyer Ave). The sale will begin at 9am and goes until 1pm, or while supplies last. 100% of the proceeds from this sale will go directly to Downtown Community School in their effort to provide quality education to all students. $1 items go quickly, so be sure to arrive bright and early!

***Pay with CASH or CARD (card purchases limited to $10 and up)***

As 2019 comes to its end and we enter the new decade, we find ourselves grateful for all of the wonderful things that have happened over the past year and we’re looking forward to what’s to come. We want to say thank you to all of the customers and employees who have supported Buffalo Exchange through the years and contributed to our success. We simply couldn’t do it without you! Wishing everyone a fantastic 2020!

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Do your New Year’s resolutions involve a love for fashion, people and working hard in a fun and friendly environment? Start 2020 off right by joining our herd! We’re always looking to expand our Buffalo Family and we offer a ton of perks like paid time off and an employee discount to name a few. If you’re looking for a fresh start to the New Year, stop by any of our locations and apply in-store or online today. Happy New Year!