City April 17, 2011 7:10 AM

Artists Head East for April 30th Paint-In

Artists Head East for April 30th Paint-In
WCPerspective
WCPerspective 20

Following up on the successful "Paint-In" at the Blacksmith Shop last month, Sara Zak, the Plein Air Painters and other independent artists, working with different media, will assemble to capture and bring awareness to another building on the Preservation-Ready List: 169 East Ferry, also known as the Harris Hardware building. The building, owned by Glenn Banks, has a leaky roof that has resulted in major water damage to upper floors and interior walls.  Artists will begin their work at the site at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 30.

The building, built in c. 1890, was the first hardware store owned by an African-American family, and was named to the Preservation-League of New York State's 'Seven to Save' list in 2010.

The Seven to Save Endangered Properties list draws attention to the plight of New York's agricultural landscapes and structures, architecture of the recent past, early public housing complexes and the need for appropriate commercial revitalization. These seven valued historic resources are in danger of disappearing because of insufficient funding and financial incentives, insensitive public policies, general neglect, disinvestment, and in some cases, demolition.

A third "Paint-In" event has also been scheduled for Saturday, May 7 at the Greystone Hotel on S. Johnson Park.  The "Paint-In" series will culminate in an installation in and around the National Trust Conference in October.

Get Connected:  FaceBook event page.

4056099471_a394f1ba17_b.jpg

Photos by David Torke at fixBuffalo.

View image

Categories:

Comments

20 Comments Leave a comment
Travelrrr
April 15, 2011 11:43 AM
Travelrrr

Double excellent.

[ Reply ]
Score: -1 ( 5 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
LouisTully
April 15, 2011 11:54 AM
LouisTully

Though supportive, I'm not all that into the arts or even artistic myself. But I think this is a fantastic thing this group is doing.

[ Reply ]
Score: 2 ( 4 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Jesse
April 15, 2011 12:29 PM
Jesse

I'm curious about the goal here. Okay, we want these old buildings "saved", but if an owner hasn't the inclination or financial wherewithal to do it, is it the position of you preservationistas that the building should be taken away, somehow?

There are eminent domain laws already in place (abused in many places) to reclaim "blighted" areas. Is the Preservation-League attempting to have this building so designated?

Where do the owner's rights end and the community's begin? I suspect many of you will say the owner has nearly 0 rights at all.

[ Reply ]
Score: -12 ( 20 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
britannica
April 15, 2011 1:34 PM
britannica

Wow, Jesse, that is a seriously slanted version of preservation. "Taken away?" "Nearly 0 rights?" Is this really what you suspect the project is about?

[ Reply ]
replied to Jesse
Score: 9 ( 11 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Jesse
April 18, 2011 5:44 AM
Jesse

Well what is the goal then? To find pretty cool looking buildings to paint?

"Awareness"??

Okay great, we all know this building is in a rough way. What the (blank) are we supposed to do about it?

Is the goal to get some important people to notice so that the government will declare it blighted, exercise its eminent domain powers, pay the guy a pittance for it, and transfer it to another private party?

I mean, great, I love Sara and I love that she's busting out her inner activist, but I don't understand the end goal.

[ Reply ]
replied to britannica
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Travelrrr
April 18, 2011 6:14 AM
Travelrrr

Awareness and art. Simple.

[ Reply ]
replied to Jesse
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
saramzak
April 18, 2011 7:28 AM
saramzak

Check out http://paintingforpreservation.blogspot.com/ for the mission and goals; you'll note that the goals really combine art and preservation -- heavier on the art end. I have spoken with the owner of Harris Hardware - a wonderful man -- and have his blessing to hold the event. I would encourage all interested in the preservation of this building to become a patron of Harris Hardware.

By the by, do you believe in the power of art to change perception? I do.

[ Reply ]
replied to Jesse
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
skybox
April 15, 2011 2:34 PM
skybox

It is almost as effective as the drum circle or prayer-ins held to send positive energy to the people of Japan and Haiti. These are supposed to stop more earthquakes, right!

[ Reply ]
replied to Jesse
Score: -6 ( 14 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
MEG
April 15, 2011 5:04 PM
MEG

No.

The Paint-Ins are not directly related to the Preservation League of New York State's Seven to Save. Painting for Preservation [paintingforpreservation.blogspot.com] is a growing movement that creates an artistic document of historically and architecturally rich sites that may otherwise be overlooked.

For more information about the goals of Seven to Save check out the Preservation League website [http://www.preservenys.org]. An example from their 2009 list: "The Preservation League of New York State is using its endangered properties program, Seven to Save, to support and enhance the year-long commemoration of the voyages of Henry Hudson, Samuel de Champlain and Robert Fulton. By giving voice to these seven disparate sites, the League is helping to illustrate the heroic saga of the exploration and settlement of the Hudson and Champlain valleys."

I think that you will find that Painting for Preservation exists for awareness of distressed, under-utilized, historic properties with no agenda to directly affect the transfer of private property. I cannot speak directly to the action of the Preservation League that may purchase and own historic properties. Either way, the art-based group, Painting for Preservation has nothing to do with accusatory finger-pointing at owners, and certainly not eminent domain.

Art and preservation.

[ Reply ]
replied to Jesse
Score: 3 ( 7 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Chris
April 15, 2011 12:35 PM
Chris

I love it! Wish I was around to come and show support.

[ Reply ]
Score: 0 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Brian
April 15, 2011 3:35 PM
Brian

When an entity exercises eminent domain the owner will be compensated. A community is fully within their rights to prevent a building, especially one with historic significance, from being subjected to waste. The Supreme Court would agree.

[ Reply ]
Score: 1 ( 3 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Travelrrr
April 17, 2011 6:27 AM
Travelrrr

Then I sure hope the Gov starts with the Graystone or Creamery-Paladino claims, in court, not to have the money to fix those up...while he continues to buy properties throughout Buffalo.

[ Reply ]
replied to Brian
Score: 0 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
JSmith
April 17, 2011 11:19 AM
JSmith

There is another very nice building a couple blocks up on the corner of Ferry and Masten. It's very sad to see these dignified brick buildings fade away along with these neighborhoods.

This area of the East Side is a real patchwork. There are whole blocks that are half full of vacant fields and the other half of disintegrating vacant houses, and then you'll see a solid block or two that are full of beautiful well-maintained houses and nicely landscaped flower beds.

[ Reply ]
Score: 0 ( 0 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Nate Neuman
April 17, 2011 12:31 PM
Nate Neuman

A tremendous building with a tremendous history! This issue is equally about Buffalo's increasingly appreciated African-American history as it is about preservation of our beauty and resources.

The article states: "...was the first hardware store owned by an African-American family...". First hardware store in Buffalo? Or beyond perhaps?

Much thanks to our thriving artist community for encourage the preservation of this building so as to be an asset to revitalizing this neighborhood.

[ Reply ]
Score: 0 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Lego1981
April 17, 2011 3:39 PM
Lego1981

A paint job??? What happen to the great news announced a few months ago that this building was going to be restored????

[ Reply ]
Score: 1 ( 3 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
STEEL
April 17, 2011 7:16 PM
STEEL

Where? Never heard that.

[ Reply ]
replied to Lego1981
Score: -1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
saramzak
April 18, 2011 7:16 AM
saramzak

No paint job -- paintings/photos/video of the site -- this is as much about as art as it is about preservation. Right now artists have partnered with Preservation Ready Sites to draw attention to their list of sites.

[ Reply ]
replied to Lego1981
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Buffalogni
April 18, 2011 11:00 AM
Buffalogni

My awareness will be raised to such heights after this. I can't wait! Until the last effort, I had no idea that there were old buildings in Buffalo that are in danger of demolition.

[ Reply ]
Score: -2 ( 2 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
Buffalo_Resurrection
April 18, 2011 12:15 PM
Buffalo_Resurrection

This may sound like a silly question but is Harris Hardware still functioning as a hardware shop or is it out of business?

My experience in Niagara Falls is that the inner city hardware shops, though limited, offer better value and are often like stepping back in time.

My favorite; Pine Avenue Hardware looks as if a bomb exploded inside but the owner has everything imaginable and at a reasonable price.

The other is DMR in the city market located behind Latina's which is another step back in time.

Both are worth a visit just for the experience.

[ Reply ]
Score: 1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment
MrGreenJeans
April 19, 2011 6:49 AM
MrGreenJeans

This building is 'endangered' because its owner spent $0 to fix the roof. He's also spent $0 and NO effort on the weedy vacant lot next door. How does he deserve help?

[ Reply ]
Score: -1 ( 1 votes ) Vote up Vote down Report this comment

Leave a comment

Recent Comments