New Gallery in an Old Building

There's a new gallery in a historic building in the 500 Block Local Historic District:

Welcome to MAIN (ST)UDIOS, an artists’ community and gallery space in downtown Buffalo, located across from the Hyatt Hotel and steps from Fountain Plaza, Lafayette Square, the Theater District and several other galleries and cultural organizations. MAIN (ST)UDIOS will feature several open-style studio spaces with access to a 1000 sq foot community workspace and 2000 sq foot first floor gallery, with large storefront windows in a high traffic area. 

Building owner, Roger Trettel, Property Manager, Mark Schroeder and Gallery/Artists’ Manager, Erica Eichelkraut, collaborated to turn an empty building into this creative collective, furthering the rebirth of the 500 block of Main St.

 Congratulations to Erica of City Lights Studio and Marcus of 464 Gallery! This is the phyiscal illustration of ART+PRESERVATION, the name of Painting for Preservation's first exhibition on display until December 1, 2011 at the Statler Towers.

A community art piece that was created by Nomad Buffalo caught by eye - a whole (pieces of a whole) new perspective on the architecture of City Hall.

Preservationists Pack the Statler Towers

The masses of the National Preservation Conference checking out ART + PRESERVATION.

The City of Buffalo welcomed over 2400 attendees of the National Preservation Conference last week. After the Opening Plenary, everyone exhilarated by keynotes by Stephanie Meeks, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and James Howard Kunstler, author/activist, flooded the Statler Hotel on Niagara Square. Crews have been working hard to prepare the Statler for this event, and Painting for Preservation dressed up two temporary walls with the artwork of over 50 artists and 100 pieces.

Many Thanks

I can't thank this crew of people enough... Meagan Baco, Amanda Maciuba, Steve Siegel, Nancy Siegel, Dana Saylor, and Casey Milbrand.  They've been working hard at the Statler Towers all weekend for ART +PRESERVATION.  Here's some cool setting up photos...


Dana hanging Vaux Barn by Painting for Preservation darling Mickey Harmon (our graphic designer extraordinaire!)



Meg, Casey, Amanda, Sara (with Dana taking the photo and in the painting in the background!)



Casey and Meagan hanging a great abstract inspired by the industrial waterfront by Josh Nickerson



Setting up for Statler Show

Sara hanging out with the art at the Statler.

The artists of Painting for Preservation and others who's work illustrates historic urban environments were invited to show their work in the Statler Towers during the National Preservation Conference. ART + PRESERVATION is Painting for Preservation's first exhibition and will feature over 50 artists of all media.

Reminder: Tomorrow, Sunday, October 16 is the final drop-off date! We will be set up nearer the Franklin Street entrance, but you can also use the Delaware Avenue entrance. Please bring your work between 9am and Noon.

A public opening is tentatively scheduled for the second week in November. For more information, email Sara M. Zak at P4Partist@gmail.com.

Update: Blacksmith Shop, site of our First Art-In

Originally published on Buffalo Rising, by wcperspective.

Judge to Blacksmith Shop Owner Carr: Fix or Go to Jail

Housing Court Judge Patrick Carney today told an attorney representing the owner of the blacksmith shop at 118 South Park Avenue that the building must be fixed in two weeks or the owner, Darryl Carr, will be jailed. Carr, who unsuccessfully tried to get the 19th-Century building demolished earlier this year, will now be hard-pressed to complete the necessary repairs on the property to bring the property up to code. An unhappy Judge Carney suggested to attorney James Milbrand that he have Carr "bring a toothbrush and some clean underwear" to the next scheduled court date in two weeks.

Carr had been ordered by the court to stabilize the building and correct code violations. Minor work has been done to the property in recent weeks including the boarding of several windows. It was not enough to please the court as adjacent property owners and City Inspector Michael Muscarella testified that conditions have only gotten worse. Many fear the building may not last the winter unless corrective actions are not taken either by Carr or by the City.

Among the violations at the property are additional open and broken windows, significantly degraded and missing brick causing water damage, a deteriorated roof, and a rat/rodent problem. Carr's other buildings along Illinois Street are also in disrepair including missing foundation stones, a partial collapse of one of the walls , damaged roofs, water damaged bricks and open/broken windows.

Carr, owner of Cobblestone Bar that is adjacent to the properties at South Park and Mississippi Street, is said to have reuse plans for the property. Most say his only goal is additional parking. At least two capable developers have tried to purchase and redevelop the buildings without success. The Buffalo Sabres organization is also said to have inquired about the availability of the building.

Read about the Painting for Preservation Art-In at the Black Smith Shop:

First Painting for Preservation Event in Buffalo's Cobblestone District, P4P Blog

"Building Stories" at Buffalo Architecture Foundation Kick-Off Event

The artwork of Meagan Baco and Steve Siegel, two committed Painting for Preservation participants, was on display at Buffalo Architecture Foundation's kick-off event, Fall for Architecture, held tonight at the Tri-Main Center. Packed with architects and friends, the bottom floor of the venue, displayed Building Stories: memories, retrospectives, photographs, and paintings focused on the importance of place. Also on display was Buffalo Through Their Eyes a collaborative project between Journey's End and CEPA Gallery, giving cameras to refugees to document their experience in Buffalo. All giving a fresh perspective.

Buffalo Architecture Event @ Tri-Main Center

From the Buffalo Architecture Foundation website:

Buffalo Architecture Foundation, Inc. (BAF) is a not-for-profit, public charity dedicated to inspiring the exploration and appreciation of architecture and how it shapes our lives.  BAF's mission is implemented through educational activities for school-aged children and public awareness events engaging citizens of all ages.

Established with the generous support of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Buffalo/Western New York Chapter, Buffalo Architecture Foundation is a not-for-profit, public charity committed to nurturing creative cooperation with the AIA and other regional cultural organizations to promote and celebrate architecture, design and construction.

You can submit your Building Story to Buffalo Architecture Foundation here!