BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University faculty will be featured among the region’s leading scholars, writers, and artists at the Buffalo Humanities Festival 2025, where two distinguished faculty members will share their expertise and creativity with the Western New York community. The festival, held September 19–20, invites audiences to explore this year’s theme of "Fabrication" through thought-provoking talks, performances, and conversations.
Representing Canisius University are:
Yvonne K. Widenor, MA, assistant professor of art history in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
A highly respected scholar and educator, Professor Widenor will present A Stitch in Time Saves Lives: Five Years Later, which draws upon her deep knowledge of art, cultural history and Buffalo’s artistic legacy. Beyond the classroom, she directs ArtsCanisius, a vibrant series of performances, exhibitions and lectures that enrich campus life and connect students with the broader arts community. She also leads student immersion trips abroad, offering hands-on experiences in European museums and historic sites.
Janet McNally, MFA, associate professor of English and director of the All-College Honors Program.
McNally is an award-winning novelist and poet whose work has earned national recognition, including fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts. She will participate in Threads: Poetry & Prose Readings, sharing her lyrical and imaginative writing that has appeared in leading literary journals and captivated readers worldwide. Through her teaching and leadership of the Honors Program, McNally inspires the next generation of writers and critical thinkers at Canisius.
“Canisius University faculty are at the forefront of Buffalo’s cultural and intellectual life,” said Nancy Wallace, PhD, dean of the Division of Arts, Education & Sciences. “Our professors don’t just teach the humanities — they live them, creating opportunities for students and the community to engage with art, literature and ideas that shape our world. We are proud to see their scholarship and creativity recognized on such an important stage.”
The Buffalo Humanities Festival begins with a keynote by internationally acclaimed artist Nick Cave on Friday, September 19 at Asbury Hall, followed by the Festival Proper on Saturday, September 20 at the Buffalo & Erie County Central Library. Festival attendees will explore the many dimensions of “fabrication” through talks, workshops, and performances from leading voices in the region.
For full festival details and tickets, click here.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
