By Ian Carlino:
"Awesome."
That is gallery and café owner Prish Moran's take on the turnout for Art on Grant's opening. The cooperative gallery celebrated its birth Friday evening, and the space was packed. Patrons spilled out onto the sidewalk as numerous local artists and craftsmen displayed their pieces and wares in the beautiful space on Buffalo's West Side.
Bob Schulman, a photographer whose name appeared in a BRO profile almost three years ago, is grateful for the opportunity to display his work. Gray-haired and wearing a striped button down, Schulman said he's signed up for two months with the co-op gallery.
"It's a worthwhile way to develop the neighborhood," he said. "And Prish cares about the artists and what they're presenting."
What the artists were presenting varied greatly. Paintings, photographs, jewelry and handmade soap all found a home under the same tin ceiling. If the gallery continues to draw visitors and artists as it did Friday, it could be just what Grant Street needs to spark a frenzy of community growth.
Still, Moran warned that too much meaning shouldn't be taken from one successful opening.
"After this, it's going to be business as usual," she said. These are words that the rest of Buffalo's activists and developers should heed. There may be brilliant ideas in the pipes, and a few small gains here and there, but what really counts is having people put long-term effort into creating a stable community. No matter what happens, though, Moran will always be working to improve what she has.
"I don't think we'll ever be done," she said.
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"Awesome."
That is gallery and café owner Prish Moran's take on the turnout for Art on Grant's opening. The cooperative gallery celebrated its birth Friday evening, and the space was packed. Patrons spilled out onto the sidewalk as numerous local artists and craftsmen displayed their pieces and wares in the beautiful space on Buffalo's West Side.
Bob Schulman, a photographer whose name appeared in a BRO profile almost three years ago, is grateful for the opportunity to display his work. Gray-haired and wearing a striped button down, Schulman said he's signed up for two months with the co-op gallery.
"It's a worthwhile way to develop the neighborhood," he said. "And Prish cares about the artists and what they're presenting."
What the artists were presenting varied greatly. Paintings, photographs, jewelry and handmade soap all found a home under the same tin ceiling. If the gallery continues to draw visitors and artists as it did Friday, it could be just what Grant Street needs to spark a frenzy of community growth.
Still, Moran warned that too much meaning shouldn't be taken from one successful opening.
"After this, it's going to be business as usual," she said. These are words that the rest of Buffalo's activists and developers should heed. There may be brilliant ideas in the pipes, and a few small gains here and there, but what really counts is having people put long-term effort into creating a stable community. No matter what happens, though, Moran will always be working to improve what she has.
"I don't think we'll ever be done," she said.
Anyone know when Prish's second cafe is opening on Parkside? We can't wait.