Projects are part of the Erie County Arts in Public Places Initiative which aims to enhance the cultural landscape of our community through public art
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Environment & Planning (“ECDEP”) and the Arts in Public Places (“AIPP”) Committee are pleased to announce that the following public art projects were selected as finalists and will be recommended for funding in the 2025 Master Public Art Plan:
• Ellicott Creek Park Sculpture by Ellen Steinfeld
Artist Description: The proposed sculpture, Flora & Fauna, incorporates many images experienced while walking, biking, or fishing and using the recreational amenities of Ellicott Creek Park. Various habitats and diverse images: of fish, plants, flowers, balls, sun, and water are all integrated into the sculpture. The finished color blue represents the sky and the waterways.
• Erie County Health Mall Mural by Laura Valkwitch
Artist Description: This artwork would invite viewers to pause and reflect, offering them a moment of tranquility and inspiration in their everyday lives. It could serve as a gentle reminder of the beauty in nature and the vastness of the world above us, encouraging everyone to look up and dream.
• Buffalo Convention Center Mural by Cassandra Ott and Chuck Tingley
Artist Description: Our mural design covers the majority of the proposed Buffalo Convention Center wall and is inspired by Buffalo’s beloved blue and red. We used these colors as a springboard to create a vision for a colorful corridor down Franklin Street. Buffalo is full of murals depicting its namesake bison and legendary wings, but Buffalo is so much more than those icons. The welcoming communities, deep histories and industry along Lake Erie are represented here in a harmonious swell of blues and reds. Elements representative of nature, waves and fingerprints line the sidewalk with a sea of colorful connections that welcome the community and visitors to the region. Highlights of a metallic gold are interspersed throughout the design to represent the sun over Lake Erie and add interest.
Part of the new Arts in Public Places Initiative, these projects were selected from over 50 proposals submitted by local artists in response to a Call for Artists issued last fall. In reviewing eligible submissions, the AIPP Committee considered the artist’s professional background and experience with similar projects, the proposed design and its relationship to the site and broader community, as well as maintenance requirements associated with the project.
The selected artists, all Erie County residents with applicable experience, presented projects that will activate and beautify public spaces, engage the community, and reflect Erie County’s unique values and culture.
The projects will be included in the 2025 Master Public Art Plan and funded through Erie County’s newly established Public Art Fund (subject to approval by County Legislature). The Public Art Fund was created in 2023 with the passage of Local Law #4 which directs 1% of eligible capital project funding to be allocated for the design, commission, and maintenance of public art projects.
Learn more here: www.erie.gov/publicart
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