Stitch Buffalo Mural Design Vote

Artist Saira Siddiqui has been leading a collaboration for the last several months between the refugee artisans of Stitch Buffalo and the public with the support of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. This project is intended to create a mural that fosters belonging and celebrates diverse voices.

We are delighted to share two potential designs for the space and would love to hear your feedback! Both designs are based directly on input from workshops held at Stitch Buffalo and here at the AKG. Hundreds of participants worked with us to collage, draw, paint, and discuss the possibilities for the space. Now it's time for you to tell us what you think.

Art can be a powerful tool for making places that people feel loved in and connected to, and the final mural will be a beacon, visibly amplifying the most important textile cultural center in the region. Once we hear from you, our community, and our partners, we will select a design for production on Polytab. This format will allow us to print the final design on specially fabricated sections of fabric. Once printed, we will welcome you and our community to help us again by painting the mural next year in advance of the installation. This truly collaborative, community-oriented work relies on public participation, and we would be thrilled if you would join the process at this and future stages! Vote and stay tuned.

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DESIGN GOALS
At our workshops, the public worked with us on shared design goals, encouraging colorful and engaging work. Common design themes included literal and metaphorical stitchwork, promoting diverse voices, backgrounds, and cultures.

Stitch artisans hope the mural reflects the site’s role as a vital textile art center, supporting multicultural artists, a majority of whom are women makers, and acknowledging their cultural impact. Our shared goal for Stitch Buffalo’s new home and mural is to connect with neighbors, the West Side Community, and beyond.

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* 1. Which design do you prefer?

Variation One: Textiles + Tools

About the Design:
This design highlights the vibrant work and purpose of Stitch Buffalo. Large-scale textile tools serve as a backdrop, transitioning to retail clothing displayed in the foreground. It reflects the layout of the space, with the rear of the building dedicated to the creation of textile arts and the front showcasing the transformation of these creations into retail offerings.

Patchwork designs on the fabrics symbolize the rich diversity of cultures and ethnicities represented within Stitch Buffalo's community. A tomato pincushion, a familiar and functional tool, adds a touch of warmth and meaning. Historically, tomatoes were placed on mantels to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits. As pincushions, they are filled with sand or sawdust to sharpen needles, emphasizing their practicality while connecting to Stitch Buffalo’s story.

Variation Two: Rainbow Flow

About the Design:
This design embodies a sense of freedom and playfulness through the scarf-like fabric that flows across the wall. The fabric, along with the placement of a large-scale needle, creates a dynamic interplay of scale. The scarf transforms from a simple sheath of material into a beautifully designed and finished piece of textile art. Additional fabrics are showcased behind the rainbow cloth, highlighting textiles from other areas of the world.

The back of the building will highlight the maker space, featuring additional textile tools such as an unraveling spool, a pressure foot, or a tomato pincushion, symbolizing the creative process. The design would wrap around the front of the building, which will feature more completed retail goods offered within the Stitch Buffalo space.

Stitch Buffalo Mural Design Vote

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* 1. Which design do you prefer?

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* 2. What was the reason behind your choice of design?

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* 3. What is your home ZIP code?

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* 4. What is your email?

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* 5. Would you like us to email you about future paint days for this project?

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* 6. Please add any further comments or other design considerations here.