The Wilkeson House, pictured in 2009 (photo by David Torke, fixbuffalo.blogspot.com)

An “Art-in,” sponsored by the Painting for Preservation organization, is scheduled at the landmarked but threatened Col. S. H. Wilkeson house (771 Busti Avenue) on Saturday, March 31, 10am-1pm.

Artists in all media and at any skill level are encouraged to show up to make paintings, drawings, or whatever other depictions of the handsome 1860s-era structure, which is slated for demolition along with six adjacent houses (an alternative is that someone purchase and remove any of the buildings) to make way for a planned expansion of the Peace Bridge plaza, including the Duty Free store operated by the Public Bridge Authority.

The Painting for Preservation organization is a collective of artists in various media supporting preservation efforts, in this case the efforts of the Columbus Park/Prospect Hill neighborhood organization and Buffalo West Side Environmental Defense Fund, groups that have opposed the PBA for years on a variety of its bridge/plaza expansion plans.

Artists should bring their own materials. Onlookers are also welcome to attend. For more information, contact Sara Zak at info@paintingforpreservation.org.