Over the last two months, I have been writing about the student artist groups collaborating on my LEROI: Living in Color exhibition--- Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT), Buffalo Public Schools (BPS), Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC), and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center
Each group has worked individually in creating their interpretation of my artwork, all of which will be included in the exhibit as art, poems, and videos.
The pieces created by Buffalo Public Schools, BCAT, and Squeaky Wheel artists will be displayed strategically around my own. The presentation of poetry in the exhibition is a joint project among BCAT and JBLC students. JBLC students have authored the poems and BCAT students have produced video and audio recordings of the poet students performing their works.
The presentations of the poems will be twofold: printed versions of each poem will be displayed on the wall alongside the artwork that each student chose to interpret. Additionally, a QR code will be on display which, when accessed by a viewer’s cell phone, will produce the clip of the poet performing their work.
Last week JBLC poets Theo, Keira, and Abuk teamed up with BCAT videographers Mario, Daria, Lilly, and Mo, to film their poems.
The BCAT team was mentored by Instruction Coordinator and lead instructor for this project, Kelvin Chazles Klein. The process was not only an artistic collaboration, it was a learning process for all involved.
Kline patiently and capably led the videographers in staging the two-camera filming, conferring with the students on choosing the proper camera settings and ensuring the best sound levels. He also encouraged the JBLC poets through their various stages of nervousness, and uncertainty in performing their powerful words for Burchfield Penney audiences to experience.
Perhaps most significantly, and as intended with this art exhibition, each student artist was inspired to believe that their passion for art can be more than just a dream. That they too can "Live in Color"
LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.