By N. Miller:
Here's a little project that could really add some personality to some of the streets in Buffalo without (I think) too much trouble. I first noticed painted electrical and utility boxes while my boyfriend and I were visiting his parents in Rochester. The first one I saw was painted in trompe l'oeil style rocks with the name of the street painted in it and it was located at the beginning of their street where a very small public garden is located. Then on the way home, we drove past the Delaware Park Colvin entrance and saw the large metal eyesore of a utility box that Buffalo has planted there. I couldn't help but think adding a little creative flair could go a long, long way. And besides, people love things like this. Remember how excited everyone was when the fiberglass buffalo started popping up all over the region, it was fun to spot a new one!
I looked online and found a website dedicated to painted utility boxes all over the world I think this is a good project for Buffalo to jump on board. I wrote to Peter Saxe, a city employee of Rochester for some info on these utility boxes:
"The Artwork on Utility Boxes is Community driven. The funding is typically obtained through grants with additional services through the City and county. The Community chooses the artist and theme. Monroe County Traffic Engineering issues a permit and approves the artwork."
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Here's a little project that could really add some personality to some of the streets in Buffalo without (I think) too much trouble. I first noticed painted electrical and utility boxes while my boyfriend and I were visiting his parents in Rochester. The first one I saw was painted in trompe l'oeil style rocks with the name of the street painted in it and it was located at the beginning of their street where a very small public garden is located. Then on the way home, we drove past the Delaware Park Colvin entrance and saw the large metal eyesore of a utility box that Buffalo has planted there. I couldn't help but think adding a little creative flair could go a long, long way. And besides, people love things like this. Remember how excited everyone was when the fiberglass buffalo started popping up all over the region, it was fun to spot a new one!
I looked online and found a website dedicated to painted utility boxes all over the world I think this is a good project for Buffalo to jump on board. I wrote to Peter Saxe, a city employee of Rochester for some info on these utility boxes:
"The Artwork on Utility Boxes is Community driven. The funding is typically obtained through grants with additional services through the City and county. The Community chooses the artist and theme. Monroe County Traffic Engineering issues a permit and approves the artwork."
Of possible interest, related to the post above:
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/may/28/arts-commission-seeks-artists-for-utility-box/