Onward! A Centennial Celebration of Robert Creeley

by JAMES MAYNARD

This Poetry Collection exhibition celebrates the life and work of longtime Buffalo poet Robert Creeley (1926-2005), one of America’s leading writers in the second half of the 20th century, for the 100th anniversary of his birth. Drawing on materials from the Poetry Collection and University Archives, it focuses on Creeley’s poetry and poetics, publishing with Divers Press, editing of the Black Mountain Review and teaching at Black Mountain College, friendship with fellow poet Robert Duncan, and noteworthy moments from his 37 years in Buffalo teaching at UB. The exhibition title comes from Creeley’s well-known practice of frequently concluding his letters and emails with the valediction Onward!

The exhibition will be on view in Special Collections, 420 Capen Hall, during public hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with some exceptions) through the end of 2026. See photographs from the opening reception.

Onward! A Centennial Celebration of Robert Creeley is part of a coordinated Buffalo-wide programming effort that includes the UB Poetics Program, UB Art Galleries, Just Buffalo Literary Center, Black Rock Arts, and Buffalo AKG Art Museum. More information about these activities and For Love: A Centenary Symposium for Robert Creeley organized by the UB Poetics Program on May 21-22 is available online.