Sue Ettmayr
There’s more to Buffalo in New York state than Niagara Falls, life-sized buffalo statues and deep-fried buffalo wings at the original Anchor Bar, writes SUE ETTMAYR
Having awoken recently from a 60-year depressive slumber, the city is now rated number 37 in the New York Times of 52 places to go in the USA. Its breathtaking architectural works include Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and the art deco City Hall, which has detail outside and inside from floor to lifts, doors, walls and ceilings. Catch the free and informative guided tour at midday.
Mark Twain against the backdrop of one of the intricate stairways at the building that was once home to his newspaper.
The Ellicott Square Building was once the site of the Buffalo Express. The co-owner of the newspaper was Samuel L. Clemens aka Mark Twain. Although famous for his Huckleberry Finn novel, he penned 30 editorials and over 70 columns and reviews while at the newspaper. A Mark Twain life size sculpture is seated on a bench next to one of the intricate wrought iron stairways in the Ellicott.
On the public holiday, to commemorate Martin Luther King, it seemed fitting to visit the Freedom Wall (main image above). A team of Buffalonian artists painted portraits of 28 civil rights leaders from America’s past and present over the summer of 2017. The once stark large concrete wall surrounds the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) bus maintenance depot.
The impressive outside of the Hotel Henry, previously a home for up to 1,200 mentally ill patients
The Hotel Henry, once a home for up to 1,200 mentally ill patients, is in revival mode. This huge rambling building lay dormant for years but is already operational with 80 rooms, coffee shops and art galleries showcasing Buffalonian modern art. More related fields are in the pipeline.
With some 80 art galleries around the city, the Albright-Knox art gallery is not to be missed. The dynamic director, Janne Siren from Finland, announced at an evening presentation that $123-million has been raised. Once the shortfall of $32-million is raised, the Albright-Knox will be one of the biggest art galleries in the world.
The gallery motto is “Out of sight! Art of the senses.” The saffron tent is one such tickler. Join the queue and take a breather. Inside are six little bar-stools and a choice of four teas. Sip on a small cup of aromatic tea, meet fellow art lovers for a brief moment and move on. The special exhibition by Japanese flavour of the century, Takashi Murakami, is electric. The Albright-Knox art gallery is one of the most defining galleries of all times.
Art advisor, Hungarian-born benefactress Katalin Mechtler poses with one of Sarah Myers’s artworks
The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital was opened in November last year. Modern Buffalonian art pops out from every wall of the 12-storeyed building. Art advisor was none other than local resident and Hungarian-born art aficionado and benefactress Katalin Mechtler.
Sarah Fonzi’s art studio at the Eleven Twenty Projects.
A visit to the Eleven Twenty Projects showcased the works of Buffalonian artists Sarah Fonzi and Sarah Myers. Sarah Myers recently held a successful exhibition of her modern art and life size collection of trees in oils. Sarah Fonzi has been creating plaster reliefs since 2012. She works with architectural elements of interior spaces and creates compositions from their various textures.
The author, Sue Ettmeyr poses with the only Canalside resident – Shark Girl, next to the beginnings of art on the grain elevators – Canadian beer.
The disused grain elevators at Canalside are being transformed into art and its only permanent resident, Shark Girl, was created by local artist Casey Riordan Millard. There is so much more to Buffalo with magnificent churches, the largest inland naval park and micro-breweries with a must visit to the pioneer of micro-breweries, the Flying Bison Brewing Company.
