Multimedia Exhibit Featuring WNY Front-line Workers Doubles as Fundraiser

Day in and day out, front-line workers are helping in the fight against the coronavirus. "I have a lot of frontline workers in my family, who actually had the virus, and then I had a relative who passed away, so it has affected me mentally and physically," says Lisa Brown, Buffalo's Own co-founder.

Brown, along with Jalen Law, runs Buffalo's Own, which is described as an incubator for rising artistic talent. They are featuring 15 essential workers in an online multimedia exhibit called "On the Front Lines." It combines still photography with audio files documenting the individuals' experiences. 

"We left an open space for them to talk about what's going on in their lives and what they're seeing. And what are some things they would like to share with people who are in quarantine. Some stories were very hard. People losing family members. Some of the essential workers contracted covid," Law says.

The featured essential workers in this exhibit come from a variety of places, including ECMC and Buffalo Fire to Wegmans and Tesla. Children are also featured because the pandemic has affected everyone, including upending the lives of young people who are used to being in school and interacting with friends. 

Photos show everyone wearing a mask, which has a special meaning.

"To really highlight the times we live in, having to wear a mask and not fully identifying or connecting with people, which is something I think we take for granite," Law adds.

Anyone can sign up to view the exhibit online, which will run from July 25 through August 8. Those who are able are encouraged to donate to help people who are struggling during the pandemic. 

"The goal of this project that we're working on, it's a campaign fundraiser. We are working to feed 100 families in need. We're working on the process of partnering up with local farmers in the community," says Law. 

"The fact that we all came together, that's what we need to do now. We need to come together, so we can tackle this," adds Brown.  

For more information about how you can view the exhibit, click here. If you're interested in donating to help feed families in need, click here.