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art in Buffalo, city of Buffalo art commission, Community Canvases, Elmwood and West Delavan art, Elmwood Village Art Blitz, Elmwood Village Association, Mary Claire, public art project
Community Canvases
Community Canvases is a Public Art and Community Development initiative seeking to create and promote public art and beautification projects that will draw artists, communities and neighborhoods together throughout Western New York.
A big thank you to Alex Cornwell, Jim Montour, Delaware District Council Member Michael J. LoCurto, the Buffalo Art Commission, the Elmwood Village, and everyone involved in the project!
The Heart of Buffalo Step by Step
I started today (Saturday morning) at around 11 am after stopping into the Elmwood Village Association where we were greeted by Jim Montour, co-founder and president of Community Canvases. I picked up my Community Canvases t-shirt and headed to my signal box on the corner of Elmwood Ave. and W. Delavan.
What a wonderful day of painting I had! Such a great opportunity to display public art. Not only did I get to paint all day, but interacting with the people in the neighborhood was a priceless experience. People were very supportive all day and as an artist, I really appreciate that so much. Loved the thumbs up, beeps, waves, thank yous, interviews, taking photos with everyone. It was a full, fun day, and gorgeous weather we did have! Everyone was out enjoying it. This truly is the heart of Buffalo.
I packed it up at around 7 pm with about 90% of it done. I have to go back and put the finishing touches on it, paint the back, the handle, and around the signal button.
There are 12 other amazing artists doing signal boxes up and down Elmwood Avenue and will be out in forces tomorrow! I’m looking forward to seeing them all myself!
Links
Community Canvases facebook page
Elmwood Village Association
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Mary Claire Studios Blog 
That’s fabulous, Mary Claire. Wonderful work!
Thank you Victoria! 🙂
MC- this turned out beautiful – what a great fun idea – I’ll be on the lookout for the rest of them next time I’m in the area! -Leslie
Hey Leslie! thank you…I have seen only three others so far, so I have 9 to go look at this week.
Did you need to get permission from the NYS DOT to paint their boxes?
This went through the City of Buffalo Arts Commission for public works and artists were chosen based on being approved, so none of us were arrested and it was a paid project!