Buffalo Arts Studio proudly presents Terrakwa: An Investigation of the Erie Canal Across Time and Geography, an innovative exhibition by the collaborative artist team Bartow+Metzgar+Werberig. Running from January 24 to March 8, 2025, this thought-provoking project combines art and ecology, exploring the Erie Canal’s rich history through a multi-year experimental drawing process. The opening reception will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

At the heart of this project lies a profound question: What is a nonhuman expression of time as it relates to the Erie Canal? The artists used a simple drawing apparatus to record atmospheric forces acting on trees over time, allowing the trees themselves to create visual expressions. This approach shifts the narrative of the Erie Canal from human-centered histories—packet boats, commerce, and infrastructure—to a deeper focus on the silent, enduring presence of the trees along its banks.

The exhibition features 40 small, framed tree drawings, representing the entirety of the Erie Canal project. These works, created using parametrics that assign drawing durations based on distances from Albany and Buffalo, offer a unique perspective on time and place. The artists also curated ten prints from the collection, highlighting ten locations along the Erie Canal, including intersections with the Niagara and Hudson Rivers. 

Paul Bartow is an artist, teacher, and fabricator based in Watkins Glen, NY, with an MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Richard Metzgar is a practicing artist and professor in the Department of Art and Design at SUNY Oswego, based in Fulton, NY, with an MFA from RIT. David Werberig is a creator of Digital Fold-Ups and Director of Marketing and Sales, based in Victor, NY, with an MFA from RIT.

For more information about Buffalo Arts Studio, please visit www.buffaloartsstudio.org