BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A new curated collection, "Imprint," at Patina 250 features seven artists. Most of them have local ties to the Queen City, except for one who came from Australia.
The collection was showcased on Monday night and one of the artists discussed what makes the collection so special.
"It catches people's attention, to kind of get them in motion and movement. Pretty much to add to the good vibrations of what cocktails do at a bar, so just make it a talking piece," artist Edreys Wajed said.
Wajed's sculptural piece is called "Electric Relaxation."
"It represents music. I'm a big music head, particularly hip-hop. 'Electric Relaxation' is by a tribe called Quest. It's one of my favorite groups in hip-hop," Wajed added.
"Electric Relaxation" is not Wajed's usual work. He shared that he usually paints his art, but this piece allowed him to showcase his work in 3D.
"It's an incredible opportunity for people to see a different side of my practice, being that it is a sculpture and also, be surrounded by great service. My wife and I love Patina 250 and also, to be surrounded by other great artists," he said.
Celebrating the second collection's opening, the event organizers said they wanted the restaurant to be filled with art so that well-known and emerging local artists could be featured.
"We've always taken the view that culinary arts is sometimes not recognized as an art," Delaware North CEO Jeremy Jacobs said. "So, the greatest piece of it is we get to marry Buffalo, the art community, and the culinary arts."
"There's so much creativity in Western New York," Patina 250 Art Collection Creative Director and Buffalo AKG Board President Alice Jacobs explained. "So, something that I have become passionate about is giving a platform to that creativity and to the artists, whether it's visual arts, performing arts or the musical arts. I think it's an undersold part of our community."
According to Delaware North, all the art was purchased up front to support the artists.
The menu at Patina 250 has also been creatively redesigned to complement and further showcase the artwork.
Details of the seven artists are listed here.
