Niagara 1979, by Gene Davis, Reinstallation

During the summer of 1979, Gene Davis, one of Artpark's Major Project artists, created the original artwork Niagara 1979. In a 1981 interview, Davis said he did not regard himself as an abstractionist or a non-objective artist, but said his work had very strong subject matter in stripes, which he treated as real forms related through intervals of color and space, much as music is an art of sound and time intervals. Thirty-six years later, in 2015, a photo of the painting posted on Artpark's Facebook page drew hundreds of positive comments from the community, sparking Artpark's desire to recreate the beloved work. In 2016, Artpark was granted the right to install Niagara 1979 by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the reinstallation was also authorized by the Office of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Funds were raised through a successful Kickstarter campaign supported by 145 community members, Sherwin-Williams assisted with paint and supplies, the Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Art Conservation Department at Buffalo State College worked with Artpark to authenticate the reinstallation, and Orange Cat Coffee Co. championed the project in the community. Work began on May 2, 2017, and lasted 10 non-consecutive days, breaking only for rain, with Artpark staff, professional painters, and many community volunteers of all ages and walks of life forming the reinstallation team.

Lewiston, New York · United States