Say Yes Buffalo, Breland Designs, Literary Freedom, Eat Off Art

A man and a woman stand side by side, each holding a painting. The man on the left wears a dark checkered shirt over a light t-shirt and holds a canvas with an image of a person wearing a hooded jacket. The woman on the right wears a brown hijab and a plaid shirt, displaying a painting featuring a sunset with a colorful sky and ocean waves. Behind them, a vibrant, colorful mural covers the wall with abstract patterns including swirls, sea creatures, and geometric shapes in bright colors such as blue, orange, yellow, green, and red.

Visual arts class

Photo courtesy of Eat Off Art

Two women are seated at tables, deeply engaged in painting activities. The woman on the left is wearing glasses, a red top, and a black scarf, holding a paper plate with paint. She is focused on a canvas in front of her with vibrant colors and shapes. The woman on the right is also wearing glasses and a pink long-sleeve shirt, working intently on her artwork with brushes and paper. Various art supplies, including paint tubes and brushes, are scattered across the tables. The setting appears to be a spacious and well-lit room with art materials stored in boxes and shelves along the walls.

Visual arts class

Photo courtesy of Rashaad Holley

A diverse group of students gathered in an educational classroom setting, posing casually for a photograph. The classroom is filled with educational posters, bookshelves, and motivational signs. Some students are making playful gestures, showing a sense of camaraderie and energy. The attire ranges from casual to school-themed clothing, reflecting a typical high school environment. Books, decorations, and an American flag are visible in the background, creating an atmosphere of learning and diversity.

Photo courtesy of Jillian Hanesworth

Two individuals are seated at a table, engrossed in creating art. The person on the left, wearing a dark hoodie, has braided hair and is holding a pencil, concentrating on their work. A colorful, vibrant mural featuring fish and underwater scenes serves as a backdrop, adding a lively atmosphere to the setting. On the right, another individual with red hair, glasses, and a green vest over a white shirt is also focused on their artistic task, surrounded by various art supplies.

Healing Through Zine workshop

Photo by James Abbondanza

A close-up photo of a person smiling broadly, wearing oversized glasses, and dressed in a dark hoodie is prominently featured on the left side of the composition. Surrounding the photo, a lively collage of colorful scribbles in red, blue, and purple covers much of the background, creating a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere. Across the top, the word 'THIS' is written in a bold, blue font. The overall arrangement blends photographic realism with playful, abstract doodling, generating a sense of carefree joy and expression.

Healing Through Zine workshop

Photo by James Abbondanza

A man in a black shirt holds a microphone and appears to be giving a speech or presentation in an art gallery setting. An abstract painting with pink and orange hues hangs on the wall behind him. A group of people, including three standing figures—two men and one woman—show interest as they listen. Some attendees hold drinks, indicating a social or formal gathering. The gallery setting includes white walls and bright overhead lighting, emphasizing the artwork on display.

CRNY artist Muhammad Zaman

Photo courtesy of Muhammad Zaman

A group of male models is standing on a runway showcasing modern casual wear. They are wearing a combination of short-sleeved shirts, some with stripes or plaid patterns, paired with casual trousers. Three of the models sport bucket hats, and two have mustard yellow crossbody bags. One model in the center is wearing a checkered shirt without a hat. Another person in the foreground, dressed in a black sweatshirt with a blue hat, appears to be a designer or a host addressing the audience. Behind them, a seated audience is visible, watching attentively.

RUNWAY program featuring work by CRNY artist Rashaad Holley

Photo courtesy of Rashaad Holley

The Collaboration

Marquis Burton, Alexa Wajed, Edreys Wajed, Jillian Hanesworth, Muhammad Zaman, Rashaad Holley, Deon Thedford, and Laura Chenault worked with Say Yes Buffalo to provide and transform arts opportunities in Buffalo, NY. The collaboration, known as “The New Masters,” brought together eight local artists to offer free workshops on arts-based therapy. These workshops, made possible in part by a grant through the nonprofit agency CULTRUE, Inc., covered various forms of artistic expression, including spoken word poetry, painting, fashion, zine-making, and more, to promote emotional wellness and healing within the community. The collaboration culminated in September 2024 with a fundraising event titled, “Make Art. Say Yes.,” showcasing the talents and skills of both artists and employees of Say Yes Buffalo. The artists also had dedicated time to focus on enriching their individual arts practices, in addition to collaborating with each other on community programming.

The Organization

The mission of the Say Yes Buffalo partnership is to remove barriers to educational attainment, workforce participation, and economic mobility for students in public and charter schools in Buffalo, NY.  Their collective impact partnership, centered on racial equity and inclusion, provides a postsecondary tuition promise and cradle-to-career comprehensive support to increase the rates of high school and postsecondary completion and the achievement of fulfilling professional employment.

This grant has enabled me to stop and recognize that rest is okay, that grace is needed, and self care is vital in order to create good work for myself and my community. Alexa Wajed

I feel validated as a working artist, am more confident in chasing opportunities, and have fostered lasting foundations for continued success. Laura Chenault

Focusing on art, the importance of rest, exchanging ideas, and providing safe spaces for the community to explore creativity and healing have profoundly transformed my journey and fostered community connection. Marquis Burton

While serving the community through various free classes and workshops, the most recurring comments from participants referenced "feeling safe, relaxed, seen and grateful for a healing arts practice to use at their own discretion and pace."