Buffalo Rising Online

Nov 19th 2008, 12:01am By Eli George

The only way to spread the word about Buffalo is to share with others through some form of media the positive sides of the city. Everyone knows that’s what Buffalo Rising attempts to accomplish, but it seems every time the city is mentioned in a newspaper it is invariably about something negative – for example, here’s their favorite: snow. Though it may take awhile to make some headway with the papers, at least we can say we definitely have books on our side. Buffalo Heritage is a printing company whose mission is to promote Buffalo’s rich history.

Started in 2006, the company has become the proud printer of a number of books that showcase what the community that remained in Buffalo has to offer. They publish GardenWalk, Postcard Views, and PEACEPRINTS as well as a number of other books. Most recently, they are publishing “The Fine Art of Capturing Buffalo,” by Mark Donnelly. The book encompasses five years of Donnelly’s work and illustrates the beauty of a city by a man who, himself, is a hidden gem of the city.

Marti Gorman, owner of Buffalo Heritage, says, “He is an artist, an educator, and passionate community and environmental activist. But a surprising number of Buffalonians do not recognize his name. An award-winning photographer, his work has appeared in dozens of exhibitions and galleries, including the Albright-Knox, the Burchfield-Penny, Rodman Hall Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.”

Donnelly also runs a website, Culturalniagara.com, which although it’s just one of his sites, it contains over 1400 pages that act as a compliment to his book. It has links to data on many arts and cultural organizations and even includes information about southern Ontario. With a lot of information about the opportunities of the Buffalo Niagara region, it works as a versatile companion with Donnelly’s book. Gorman says, “The book is a beautiful graphic representation of this very useful site.”

The book is being officially launched at the Marcy Casino of the Olmsted Parks tomorrow, November 20th, from 6:30 until 8 PM. Donnelly will be on hand signing books and since a lot of his work is centered on the beauty of the parks, he is helping to give back to the system by donating a percentage of the sale of signed books, as well as signed, framed photos of the parks that appear in the book. However, if you can’t attend, it won’t be the last time Donnelly will be willing to donate to the Olmsted Park system. If you go to his website, CapturingBuffalo.com to order the book and use the coupon code “TREE” the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy will receive a donation. Ever the giver, if you use the coupon code “CAUSE” Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rowing Boathouse by Buffalo Rotary will receive a donation.

Donnelly has even opened it up and if other groups or causes are interested in receiving donations, they can contact Gorman if interested. You can purchase Donnelly's book as well as many other books about the greatness of Buffalo from Gorman's website, BuffaloHeritage.com.