Anthony J. Sisti (1901-1983)

The Mural Painter is the renowned Mexican painter and muralist Diego Rivera (1886-1957).  Rivera was admired by many members of the Art Institute of Buffalo, including its director, William B. Rowe who painted murals himself and helped secure mural commissions for faculty and students.  Rowe unsuccessfully tried to host Rivera’s contemporary, the Mexican artist and muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974) to become an honorary member of the AIB faculty around 1944-45. Although invited to be Guest Artist/Faculty and conduct a six-week course to paint a mural at the Institute, Siquieros was unable to come to Buffalo.  — Nancy Weekly