“Rise” was invited to participate in the inaugural exhibit at Beebe’s on the Square! I painted “Rise” to be a promise that no matter what challenges we face, we have a future. For this exhibition, it’s a reminder that downtown Buffalo has hope.

 The ancient Egyptian scarab symbolizes transformation and a new day, and the body that I painted represents community. Each block of color shows how our city is interconnected. The cut-out spaces are the transitional points of hidden potential like those of yin and yang. The wings represent our struggles except they are the very instrument that will propel us forward. And I chose blue for the horizon because this isn’t the beginning - we’re well on our way to revival.