BUFFALO REUSE – ALWAYS INSPIRING

I stopped down to visit Buffalo ReUse this week to find some interesting old molding to turn into frames. Their new location is 296 East Ferry in Buffalo, one block east of Jefferson Avenue. Buffalo ReUse acquires materials through ‘green demolitions’ and donations from the community. Their aim is to “help you save money, protect the environment and serve the community.” The huge old building is a dynamic space, giving everyone a chance to see the past broken down into bits and pieces, ready for creative renewal.

SHE’S READY FOR THE WNYBAC MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION

The Fourth Annual Members’ Show opens this Friday night, June 22, at the Western New York Book Arts Collaborative. WNYBAC is located at 468 Washington Street in downtown Buffalo. If you have never been there, this could be the right moment. It is one of the most unique resources in Western New York. My inspiration for this painting was an old photo in an album thrown out on the Eastside. The picture was dated from the forties so I imagine that she might have worked for the war effort in Buffalo. Type on the side and top are lines from a song about Rosie the Riveter. I did her portrait in spray paint and acrylic. The wood for the frame came from Buffalo ReUse, always a great place to get inspired. Buffalo ReUse has a new and even better location at 296 East Ferry Street in Buffalo. Hope to see you Friday!

BUFFALO "SCULPTURES"

Exploring around the city it's common to find vast old hunks of metal. Perhaps they were too big to be easily hauled off to the scrapyard. Perhaps a property owner just didn't get around to it yet. Anyway, they often just sit in the sun like sculptures. Actually they are amazing sculptural forms - designed for some specific purpose no longer needed. I invite everyone to keep their eye out for other "sculptures" and perhaps post them on Facebook or otherwise bring them to public light. Perhaps there should be a Buffalo Sculpture Park where a whole group of these monsters are brought together and displayed as the great designs they are. I can imagine a group of them down by the the bikepath along the waterfront with little plagues telling tourists of their significance. Anyone else have ideas on this?

BETHLEHEM STEEL'S NORTH OFFICE - IT MATTERS

A great mixed group of committed preservationists are working hard to stop the scheduled demolition of this 111-year old Beaux Arts style building. As the organization Preservation Buffalo-Niagara declared in a statement, “Bethlehem Steel’s North Office represents the vital need for a strategic approach to dealing with our region's underutilized, irreplaceable historic assets.” Sounds like a great idea! Important places shouldn’t get to such a crisis point. It’s amazing that the company that purchased the property failed to maintain the building and apparently encouraged decay. And the city of Lackawanna allowed it. For more news on this situation, follow David Torke’s blog, http://fixbuffalo.blogspot.com/