Jalen Law

Jalen Law is a Buffalo-based artist, art educator, and entrepreneur whose work supports emerging artists and youth throughout the region’s arts communities. He founded the non-profit organization Buffalo’s Own, Inc. as a resource for local artists looking to advance their professional careers at the local, regional, and national levels. The organization “provides emerging artists with opportunities to grow creatively and expand into larger art markets by partnering with galleries, businesses, and other organizations in major metropolitan areas to curate annual art exhibits.” [1] This includes an annual event for qualifying Buffalo-area artists as well as pop-up shows, expos, exhibits, and events through which artists can share their work more broadly.

Law has been an artist since the age of four and works primarily in drawing and painting. Common themes in his work include utilizing technology and digital arts, including audio and video stimulation, to allow all types of people to engage with his pieces. He notes in an artist statement, “My art draws from a range of themes, with powerful images that confront uncomfortable issues. My intention is to draw the viewer in and make them think without deflecting or turning away due to their own discomfort." [2]

Through his gallery The Jalen Law Collection, he creates custom, commissioned artwork for clients, serves as a live painter for corporate events and festivals, curates art exhibitions in collaboration with a wide range of partners in Buffalo and around the country, and presents live workshops and lectures. His goal is to use art as a vehicle to create opportunities for other up-and-coming artists while also teaching people of all ages to harness the power of art as a tool for personal development. [3] Law’s practice has also expanded into mural painting. His first mural spawned from a City of Buffalo initiative to honor essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He created a 5’ x 10’ aluminum panel honoring doctors and nurses. He was then approached by the Niagara Falls Heritage Center to create a portrait for their Niagara Falls Murals initiative, leading to the creation of his Calvin “Pop” Porter mural. He has since also completed a mural for the NFTA-Metro Portage Road Transportation Center in Niagara Falls, among others.  

Law has also taught art to people of all ages since 2014. He has run workshops at summer camps and at University at Buffalo Anderson Gallery. He has also delivered workshops on emotional intelligence targeting at-risk youth in Erie County through the Buffalo Urban League, the Salvation Army of Buffalo, the Youth Empowerment & Leadership Program Family Help Center, MBK-Boys and Men of Color Initiative, and Best Self Behavioral Health.  

Currently, Law is working on a research-based art program called the Emotional Intelligence Program to equip students with social and emotional tools that will assist them inside and outside of the classroom. He designed the program based on research from Yale University president Dr. Peter Salovey on Emotional Intelligence. Law is also the recipient of a 2023 NYSCA Support for Artists Grant sponsored by ASI. 

To learn more about Jalen Law and his work, visit: https://thejalenlawcollection.com/

 
[1] “About Us,” Buffalo’s Own Inc., https://www.buffalosown.org/about.
[2] “Jalen A. Law Collection,” Philadelphia Fight, https://fight.org/jalen-a-law-collection/
[3] “Jalen A. Law Collection,” Philadelphia Fight, https://fight.org/jalen-a-law-collection/