American, born 1991
Artist Saira Siddiqui leading a workshop at Stitch Buffalo. Photo: Jeff Mace
Participate
284 Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, New York
Polytab
Art can be a powerful tool for making places that people feel loved in and connected to. For immigrants, placemaking is an art born of necessity. Artist Saira Siddiqui is leading a collaboration between the refugee artisans of Stitch Buffalo and the public with the support of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum to create a mural that fosters belonging and celebrates diverse voices.
Siddiqui is an artist that helps people harness the creative potential within their communities. Her Stitch Buffalo mural will integrate the stories and contributions of refugee and immigrant communities.
The project builds on the work of Stitch Buffalo, a nonprofit that empowers refugee women and brings people together through textile arts. Stitch offers workshops for refugee women who are skilled in the making of hand-sewn textiles, provides classes for the community taught by these women as well as staff members, and has robust program for repurposing donated textiles.
Members of the public will have a number of ways to contribute their thoughts and inspiration to the design and creation of the mural that will cover Stitch Buffalo’s new Plymouth Avenue building.
Download the blank wall below and share your own drawing on Instagram at #StitchBuffaloAKGMural, or attend one of the many public workshops hosted at the Buffalo AKG and Stitch Buffalo! In addition, check back at this site to vote on your favorite design and for a schedule of public paint days in the spring.
Saira Siddiqui specializes in people, places, and experiences to help them harness the creative potential within their communities. With over a decade of experience, Siddiqui is a working artist with specializations in commercial district revitalization, placemaking, community engagement, and creativity.
The public paint days and workshop sessions invite the community to co-create a public space that reflects diverse experiences. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and belonging for participants who are directly involved in shaping the narrative of their neighborhood. This process is replicable in other communities, offering a model for how public art can both celebrate diversity and build inclusive spaces through collaboration.
This case study demonstrates how public art can be a catalyst for inclusive redevelopment, engaging across spectrums of age, ability, and background. By involving a broad range of voices, the project highlights how arts-driven placemaking can lead to more equitable and vibrant communities.
