The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has announced the lead artist of a mural project at McKinley High School as a part of the Jesse Kregel Pathway Improvement Project.
The committee has selected Augustina Droze of Los Angeles, California to lead the project after a true national search. Ms. Droze was selected based on her extensive national experience in mural painting, presentation, and proposal.
"We liked Augustina's proposal because her mural will tell a very compelling story about Olmsted and his impact on our region," said Thomas Herrera-Mishler, CEO and President of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. "Her painting style is beautiful with excellent use of color and form. She has had extensive experience in large scale mural painting across the nation, working with volunteers to create master works of art."
Droze will be working with students from McKinley High School, the Buffalo State College Fine Arts program, and any members of the community who want to help. The massive work of art will be about 210 feet long and students will work with Olmsted landscape architects and the artist to develop a complementary landscape component to the project.
Droze wants the focus of the mural to celebrate the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted. "The Vision of Olmsted" will be a narrative piece depicting the life and work of Olmsted through landscapes of his selected projects and nature scenes.
"I applied to the McKinley High School mural project because I thought it is an exciting project with an important story to tell. As a muralist I am interested in painting mostly nature based scenes," Droze said. "The theme of this project was interesting to me because of the emphasis on the natural world and the work of Olmsted. I am very excited to begin working on this mural. It will be a wonderful experience to transform the wall and to experience life in Buffalo while I am in town."
Many believe that the summer-long project will be an important addition to the community's collection of public art and will be an attraction for those who are near the Scajaquada Trail/Jesse Kregel Pathway.
There are other landscape improvements planned for this summer including new play equipment at the Peter Street Playground, a new creek-side overlook, and a general upgrade of the trail from the Niagara River to Delaware Park's Point of Meadow shelter.
For more information concerning the project you can visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249. You can also get involved with the various projects by e-mailing volunteer@bfloparks.org.
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The committee has selected Augustina Droze of Los Angeles, California to lead the project after a true national search. Ms. Droze was selected based on her extensive national experience in mural painting, presentation, and proposal.
"We liked Augustina's proposal because her mural will tell a very compelling story about Olmsted and his impact on our region," said Thomas Herrera-Mishler, CEO and President of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. "Her painting style is beautiful with excellent use of color and form. She has had extensive experience in large scale mural painting across the nation, working with volunteers to create master works of art."
Droze will be working with students from McKinley High School, the Buffalo State College Fine Arts program, and any members of the community who want to help. The massive work of art will be about 210 feet long and students will work with Olmsted landscape architects and the artist to develop a complementary landscape component to the project.
Droze wants the focus of the mural to celebrate the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted. "The Vision of Olmsted" will be a narrative piece depicting the life and work of Olmsted through landscapes of his selected projects and nature scenes.
"I applied to the McKinley High School mural project because I thought it is an exciting project with an important story to tell. As a muralist I am interested in painting mostly nature based scenes," Droze said. "The theme of this project was interesting to me because of the emphasis on the natural world and the work of Olmsted. I am very excited to begin working on this mural. It will be a wonderful experience to transform the wall and to experience life in Buffalo while I am in town."Many believe that the summer-long project will be an important addition to the community's collection of public art and will be an attraction for those who are near the Scajaquada Trail/Jesse Kregel Pathway.
There are other landscape improvements planned for this summer including new play equipment at the Peter Street Playground, a new creek-side overlook, and a general upgrade of the trail from the Niagara River to Delaware Park's Point of Meadow shelter.
For more information concerning the project you can visit www.bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249. You can also get involved with the various projects by e-mailing volunteer@bfloparks.org.
2 Questions:
Was the request for proposal a public announcement?
Why choose someone from LA. After looking at her work, I feel like someone locally could do the same.
Pretty predictable question. Then someone local should step up and get some recognition as a quality muralist. As much as I love the arts in Buffalo, I find many artists to be downright apathetic and entitled in this town "it should be us because we are local." Screw that. I am a collector and want quality art, whether it is local or not (for the record, quality and local would be the win-win). I think her work looks really high quality. Also, I love the thought of bringing an artist in...maybe she will fall in love with Buffalo...who knows?
I agree, but my first question was not answered. I am an artist, although not recognized as a "quality mural artist", and would have applied for this job.
Also, it doesn't say much for local artists when the Olmsted organization isn't selecting someone from the area to add to the community. Sad actually.
FTA: Droze will be working with students from McKinley High School, the Buffalo State College Fine Arts program, and any members of the community who want to help.
If I were you I'd volunteer and get more experience so the next project can be a local artist.
Keep in mind Olmsted wasn't from Buffalo.
Agree, it is a sad statement about the local art scene; I would like to see Buffalo artists take more of their work from their studios and out into the streets. So that we know who is doing what, and well. For the record, I saw the notice broadcast by Olmsted...and I am not an artist. It was actually posted on BRO as well, I believe.