Artists Augustina Droze and Bruce Adams have reached the completion stage of a new mural on Elmwood Avenue on the Jim’s SteakOut building near Bidwell Parkway. The colorful artwork is a series of images representing the Elmwood Village including the Bidwell Farmers Market, cycling, coffee shops, candy and skateboarding.
For years this wall featured a mural by artist Steve Brouse before its day in the sun was finally over. A year ago we attempted to get a permanent wheat paste on the wall in order to clean it up for a national preservation conference. While the wheat paste didn’t hold up at all, Bruce Adams told me that it helped to pave the way for this permanent mural to be painted. This time the wall preparation included a good power washing and priming, while the paint is long lasting and the sealant is ultraviolet grade. Bruce told me that as long as the wall is intact, the mural will last.
Apparently the process of seeing this mural to completion was no easy task. Insurance and OSHA requirements for the equipment were steep. Thankfully Mead Supply worked with the artists to provide the needed equipment at reasonable rates. Also, Eye Care and Vision Associates allowed the equipment to take up a substantial part of the parking lot entranceway in order for the artists to work on the wall. In the end the mural, called “Feast”, traversed a few bumpy roads, but has made it to the finish line.
You may recall that Augustina Droze was the muralist who came to Buffalo to paint the 365′ Olmsted Parks mural (see post). After completing the mural (see video), she decided to move to Buffalo from California and we couldn’t be happier to see her working on these types of projects with accomplished Buffalo artists such as Bruce Adams (Art Buff).