Captured on the Streets

By Doug Sitler

Many years ago, Buffalo political and civic leader George Arthur began taking photographs of various street signs throughout Buffalo. During his travels, Arthur began to notice numerous neighborhood murals painted on buildings, bridges and houses. To his surprise, the murals were pretty good and had a deeper meaning to the neighborhood artists. Some images gave messages of hope to the community, while other murals paid homage to residents who have passed away. He could tell that the painting had a story behind them...but who painted these images? Where are the families and artists? Before the work began, did the community approve of the images? 

They were all questions Arthur would ask himself upon discovering and photographing the murals, and the answers varied. The photographs that evoke these thoughts are on display at the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau's Community Gallery, located at the Visitors Center inside the Market Arcade building at 617 Main Street. The opening of the show "Street Art" is Friday, September 11th from 5:00 to 8:00PM. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit is sponsored by CEPA Gallery, with assistance from the CVB.

Many Buffalonians know George Arthur from his over 25 years of serving on Buffalo's Common Council, including stints as president. Coming from the rough and tumble world of politics, it may come a surprise that Arthur started his career in photography having studied it in high school, the US Army, and working as a technician at a Buffalo photo studio. Currently, Arthur serves as the President of the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation.  Under his leadership, the Corporation has preserved and re-opened the Rev. J. Edward Nash, Sr. home as a museum, research center and heritage tourism center.

The photos for the "Street Art" exhibition were taken on Michigan Avenue and Southhampton, Masten Avenue and Southhampton, Grant and Ferry, Genesee, Moselle, The Fruit Belt, Main and Coe, and Ferry and Kehr.