The Hidden Artistic Talents of Buffalo by Brittney Singletary

The work of more than 25 artisans was featured at the end of April at the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Artists in Buffalo’s first Spring Gift Show. A wide variety of functional and decorative art goods were available for sale, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, handmade journals, glassware, purses, bath and & body products, photography, creative notecards and more.

“I love fire, I love the unpredictability of fire, and I love that it has techniques that go back over a thousand years,” said Ronna Mink, a local pottery artist. Mink showcased some of her elaborate and decorative pottery pieces. The pieces varied in design and shape and ranged from large or small pots, to small birds, or abstract pieces that incorporated tiny circular fragments of other materials. All of the designs on each pottery piece were done by the pottery technique of Saggar Firing. According to Mink, Saggar Firing is a method of firing in which each ceramic piece is protected by an enclosed structure within the pit or kiln, a pottery oven that solidifies the clay. It can be made out of many materials including clay, brick, shelving and aluminum foil, although traditionally clay is the most common.

“Each one of my forms is meticulously prepared for firing. After creating the piece, I smooth and polish each piece by sanding, painting it with fire particle slip and then burnishing it until it shines,” said Mink. “After an initial electric firing to harden the clay, each piece is wrapped in aluminum foil containing combustible material such as sawdust, and seaweed...The high temperatures of the fire cause combustibles within the aluminum foil to fume, creating a beautiful colors and patterns.”

Tanisa Philips-Paniagua, a Buffalo State College student and supporter of the event, said, “I enjoyed the pottery; especially Ronna Mink’s pottery, because I’ve never seen anyone use the technique of Saggar Firing before. But, I would have to say my favorite pieces where done by Ro-Dazzle Designs.”

Ro-Dazzle Designs is the name of Rosanna Cappellino’s pottery company. The company uses baking clay to create replications of the famous doodle bugs and dog flowers by Charles E. Burchfield, replications that can be worn as a brooch or hung up as an ornament.

“I used to make gifts for friends and family. Then I decided to bring it to the public. … The small doodle bugs and dog flowers I make can be brought within the museum store,” said Cappellino.

Mink and Cappellino were not the only artists to grab local shopper’s attention. There were artist who specialized in body care, fabrics, wine-glass painting, and more that drew quite a large crowd as well. The aromas from Kathleen Cummings, artisan for Buffalo Gal Organics, bath and body line also drew interested spectators. “All of our products are made alcohol-free. We use mainly essential oils for all of our products,” said Cummings.

On a long table sat everything from body oils and lotions, to facial creams and cleansers. Buffalo Gal Organics is a local company that promotes holistic nutrition and health care. All the products offered are designed to enhance natural beauty and health quality. “I’m sure the artists here are glad to have participated in the Spring Gift show, the exposure is nice. I know I really enjoyed the event; it was exciting to move from stand to stand and see what the next artist had on display. I wish more students would come out to events like this” said Paniagua.

The event took place on both the first and second floor of the Burchfield Penney. Upon entering the event, there where greeters, who offered pamphlets and instructions on where to go based on what each shopper’s interest was. Upstairs held local displays for Sarah Blackman Jewelry Design, Aremel Soaps, Buffalo Gal Organics, and more.

The Deli Café, by the entrance of the event, offered shoppers a nice area to sit down and relax after walking through all of the displays put together by the artists. A few excited shoppers even engaged in a meal, while chatting with other shoppers in the café area as well.

For such a small local event, the Artists in Buffalo’s Spring Gift Show brought out a large part of buffalo that few people are aware of. “I find it interesting how people don’t know about the Creativity that lies in Buffalo. We're not just a run-down city, where a city with hidden history and creative talent,” said Cappellino.

The event also doubled as a fundraiser for the Burchfield Penny. All artists were expected to donate back a percentage of their sales to support the ongoing mission of Buffalo State College’s on-campus museum.

Brittney Singletary

Brittney Singletary is a Buffalo State student majoring in Journalism. Her interests include writing, blogging, volunteering and working on her research project involving Burmese Refugees within the Buffalo area. Having spent the past three years of her college experience in Buffalo, Brittney has gained a lot of appreciation for the history and artistic talents that the local communities have. Her goal after undergraduate is to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in law and social work.