Artists helping artists

One of my favorite things, if not my absolute favorite, about living in Buffalo is the art community. Art is literally everywhere. If you can’t see it from your front porch when you get up in the morning just take a few steps down the street, while opening your eyes a little wider, and it will be there. I have lived in a few places in my brief 23 years and I have yet to find a community that compares to Buffalo’s art scene. What is truly wonderful is that when you live in a place that overflows with art it trickles down and saturates the surrounding communities as well.

redFISH Art Studios & Gallery located in East Aurora is a wonderful art resource that few people in the city have been to or know about. I certainly knew nothing about it until I was strolling the streets of East Aurora with an old friend who suggested we take a peek inside. Started in 2004 by Alix Martin and Heather Harris Red Fish is not a gallery that showcases local and international artists or a retailer or a space for art instruction. It is actually all three. The slogan for redFISH is, “Artist helping artists” which is truly what they do. It is a space where artists can gather to support and inspire each other all while gaining exposure in the community. Artists can come to redFISH and rent studio space, artists of all ages and talents can come and take classes, and even if you aren’t an artist per se but rather just an enthusiast and appreciator (like me) this is the perfect place to go and see what up and coming local artist are capable of.

Part of the charm of redFISH is that it is located in an attic of an old building. The creaky floor boards and warm air truly give the feeling of being in a studio and not in a glossy climate controlled gallery. Thus, creating and awareness that just by being there you are in the presence of something creative. You can wonder around into functioning studios and see a piece that is in the process of being created or sometimes even speak to an artist. redFISH is unique in this because there are very few places that would encourage visitors to look at a work in progress. Their classes and workshops are constantly changing in order to fit people of all ages and inspiration. They range from painting, to figure drawing, and even art therapy.

Visit their Web site to see what classes are currently being offered, availability of studio space, or just to get a sense of what kind of art organization they are. Better still, make the drive out to East Aurora yourself and discover that even on the periphery the Buffalo art scene is like no other.

Posted by on 10/17 at 01:39 PM