THE SECRET LIFE OF CITY CROWS at (716)GAL-LERY

Down in the Larkinville neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, is the very popular Hydraulic Hearth Restaurant & Brewery. And inside the Hydraulic is Buffalo’s smallest art space, (716)GAL-LERY.

The (716)GAL-LERY is actually a 1950’s wooden phone booth re-purposed into a contemporary art gallery. Exhibitions include the use of a vintage pay phone, which adds an audio component to the show. Old meets new technology as the payphone is equipped with an usb port so Gallery visitors may charge their cell phones. Right beside the phone booth is The Gallery “Gift Shop,” a sticker machine filled with artist-designed stickers and tattoos. 50 cents buys a portfolio of small art. The Gallery “Education Department” houses artist-designed coloring and activity pages for young and young-at-heart patrons.

For my turn in this unique space, I am filling the walls with 9’’x12’’ oil paintings of city crows. Each bird has his own personality and preferred place to hang out. When you enter the booth and pick up the phone receiver, you can join the crow conversation! (The crow sound track was created by my son-in-law, Ala’ Diab, who is a game designer in Chicago.)

The show will be on view from May 10^th through September 4^th, 2017. Hydraulic Hearth Restaurant & Brewery is at 716 Swan Street, Buffalo NY. Kitchen Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 4:00 pm to 10 pm and the bar is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.