Erie County Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown welcome students, their families, teachers, and dignitaries to showcase student and professional artwork
(Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw was joined by Mayor Byron W. Brown to turn the Office of Erie County Comptroller on the 11th floor of the Rath Building into an art gallery once again. Select original works of art from the Buffalo Public Schools “Celebrating Art!” collection is on display along with works by professional artists Andrew Clark and Vincent Alejandro, who are both graduates of the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts.
“I am passionate about supporting arts and cultural communities across Erie County. Part of the economic engine of our region can be driven by smart investments in our arts and cultural institutions. It is important for me to lead by example by regularly showcasing original artwork in the Rath Building.
Students beam with pride when they see their works hanging in prominent places. For the first time we are showcasing student artwork alongside the works of professional artists,” said Comptroller Mychajliw.
Buffalo based artist Andrew Clark is the second professional artist to have his original artwork on display in the Office of Erie County Comptroller. Mr. Clark painstakingly and patiently produces American flags made out of hundreds of small pieces of 100-year-old antique black walnut veneer. Acrylic paint is used as well as an ultra violet, light stabilizing polymer. The American flag on display in the lobby of the Office of Erie County Comptroller took Mr. Clark 50 hours to produce.
Mr. Clark’s artwork joins original water color paintings of Buffalo landscapes by Mr. Alejandro that are still on display on the 11th floor of the Rath Building. Professional artwork is mixed in with artwork produced by Buffalo Public Schools students from grades Pre-K to 12.
Jailyn Harvey, Jerrod Miner, Lanasha Clark, Danae Glaz, Raemell Johnson, Dejeanae Cornish, Jodi Mitsuyama, Tony King, Ethan Ryan, Diane Lemon, Tremayne Yarbrough, Aye Di Htoo, Zechari Cole, Mykel Parker, Anjal Bista, Emiya McCloud, Vincente Justiniano, Francisco Maldonado, Javan Renshaw, and Juan Reyes are students representing 13 different Buffalo Public Schools that provided artwork that is on display in the Office of Erie County Comptroller.
“Each student put in a lot of effort to create the beautiful pieces of original works that are on display. It is my pleasure to join them and their families to showcase their works in Erie County’s Rath Building,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. “The wonderful works of student art is also a positive reflection of our dedicated teachers. Our Buffalo Public Schools teachers did a great job with our students offering them guidance to create such incredible artwork.”
Tracy Rose of the Bilingual Center Public School #33, Rachel Lyons of the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Sarah Zimmer of Burgard High School, Seana Root of City Honors School, Anna Leone of Community School #53, Tanya Chutko of Frederick Law Olmsted, Jennifer Roman of Hillery Park Public School #27, Yekaterina Lepa of Marva J. Daniel Futures Prepatory School #37, Erin Connolly of Math, Science and Technology School, Thomas Murphy of Native American Magnet School #18, Jan Dylewski of Pfc. William J. Grabiarz School #79, Christopher Kary and Amy Coppins of Stanley M. Makowski School #99, and Jennifer Bargnesi of West Hertel Academy Public School #97 are the Buffalo Public Schools teachers of art students.
Buffalo Public Schools Supervisor of Curriculum in Art Education Michele Agosto worked collaboratively with the Office of Erie County Comptroller in selecting and promoting featured student artwork.
For a PDF version of this Press Release, click here.
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