In January of 2025, we posted that Douglas Development had completed work at 368 Sycamore Street. The developer paid $615,000 for the three-story, 32,698 SF former warehouse in March 2022. The circa-1949 building was most recently occupied by Concept Logistics and has been converted to office use. The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) now occupies the building’s top two floors.
BCAT relocated to the East Side from its Midtown Main Street location, which was located across the street from Delta Sonic.
The new space has allowed BCAT to:
- Double the number of classrooms
- Offer more than 15 adult workforce programs to more than 100 adult participants
- Continue its successful youth arts and technology afterschool program
- Open a large public community gallery
- Provide room for events and gatherings
- Create opportunities to serve students in their own community and to contribute to the economic development in the area
This past Thursday, the AKG Public Art Initiative and BCAT unveiled a mural that celebrates the arrival of BCAT into the building, located at 368 Sycamore Street.
BCAT’s programs have expanded from two classes to over seventeen over the past ten years.
The student-led, two-part mural titled Let’s See Dreams, was recently completed by a team of 19 BCAT students.
BCAT students working on the project include: Mya Mitchell, Kevine Bampala, Estelle Hernandez-Healy, Ethan Jaszka, Madi Wolfson, Jester Gerenday, KC Carter, Heilly Feliciano, Christela Bampala, Ariel Baker- Ellis, Leah Roache, Lillyan Goines, Brenardo Powell, Kiarelis Rivera, Luciano Ramos, Apollo Johnson, Christian Edmonds, Amaya Saxon, and Jayla Peay.
BCAT instructors Kevin Kline and Sarah Nemec led the students on the initiative. It was the AKG Public Art staff that initially caught sight of the students’ works, which were then given an initial treatment. The students worked hand-in-hand with the project team to understand the building dynamics and how they relate to the installation of a public work of art.
Buffalo-based artists including Emeka Wajed, Naija Boles, and Danielle Saeva were chosen as the dedicated mural team who further guided the students towards achieving the final artistic goal. Supporting local artists Karle Norman, Laura Valkwitch, and Bree Gilliam helped to guide the design transfer to the building, under guidance from the AKG. By selecting a wide variety of artists to engage with the students, the result is one that will help to demonstrate the limitless possibilities when it comes to participating in large scale art projects. Many of the lessons learned along the way can be applied to myriad professional exercises down the road.
Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “Congratulations to the talented BCAT students whose creativity and hard work brought Let’s See Dreams to life, along with the educators, mentors, and local artists who supported them every step of the way. Public art reflects the heart and spirit of a community, and this vibrant mural is a welcoming landmark on Buffalo’s East Side, celebrating the creativity of our young people and the power of arts education.”
“Public art has the power to transform neighborhoods, inspire pride, and bring people together,” said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. “The Buffalo AKG’s Public Art Initiative ensures that world-class art is not confined to museum walls but becomes part of our everyday lives and accessible to everyone. I applaud the Buffalo AKG for its commitment to making art a resource for all residents and visitors alike.”
“Let’s See Dreams is a reflection of what can happen when young people build something together,” said Kevin Kline, Youth Program Manager at BCAT. “Every shape, color, and composition carries the voice of many students, creating a vibrant welcome for everyone who enters BCAT to create, connect, and build new pathways for themselves and their community. What impressed me most throughout this project was watching students learn to let go of ownership over individual ideas in service of something larger, discovering that collaboration doesn’t diminish creativity, it expands it.”
This project is supported by Rachel & Scott Stenclik and Erie County Legislator Lawrence J. Dupre. The Public Art Initiative was established and is supported by leadership funding from the County of Erie and the City of Buffalo.