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Current Issue: Artvoice v7n46, week of Thursday November 13 » back issues

Artist of the Week: Ann Peterson

(photo: Rose Mattrey)

Why you should know who she is: Photographer and teacher Ann Peterson has been taking photos since she was five, when she spent an entire hour and a roll of film shooting one small frog near a forest stream. Since then she has captured the world with her lens several times over. A well-seasoned traveler and currently a Spanish teacher at Canisius High School, Peterson has spent years on a student visa bouncing between Buffalo and Europe, Central America, and the UK. She has visited, lived or taught in places like Costa Rica, Spain, Cuba, Central America, Ireland and, most recently, the Galapagos Islands. She photographs landscapes and cities in a way that “captures the essence of the country. I like to find that simple moment that reflects the culture, like the light, the people, the colors,” she says. Peterson will be on hand to discuss her most recent work, photos of and about Buffalo, this Sunday from 1 to 5 pm at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center as part of the Museum Store’s Fall Artist Showcase. The series features a different artist and his or her work every Sunday through December 18.

Hometown: Buffalo

Education: Mt. St. Joe’s Academy in Buffalo; a double major in Spanish and studio art with a concentration in photography from Nazareth College; master’s in Spanish language and literature from Bowling Green University; study abroad in Spain.

Current project: A portfolio of Buffalo photographs. “One of my students asked me, ‘You make other countries look so nice, could you make Buffalo look as nice?’ And I really liked that idea.”

How is photographing Buffalo different from your travel photography? “It’s been challenging because I like the new—new places, new experiences. But so far it’s been fun, trying to shoot locations like the parks and cemeteries in an original way.”

How many rolls do you go through a day? “It’s funny, when I was a student, I was so broke I had to make a choice: film or food (and I always went with the film). Especially in Austria, where my batteries ran out and cost $17 to replace, which was the cost of food and lodging.”

Pet peeve: “People looking at my work and then asking me, ‘That’s a beautiful photograph. What kind of camera do you use?’”

Well, um, do you use film or digital? “I just started using digital for a year now, it’s easier and the quality is actually wonderful. But I spent 15 years in the darkroom, and I miss the smell of the chemicals, the smell of the paper. So I still try to buy a roll once in a while just so I can smell it. Recently I shot 350 digital pictures in Cuba and lost them all, which wouldn’t have happened if it were film.”

Where have you shown your work? “I just started a few years ago, when I moved back to Buffalo. I did a couple of shows at College Street Gallery, with two other women at El Buen Amigo, and I was chosen to be the Colby artist at Buffalo Seminary last year, where I showed my Cuba exhibit. I also had a show at the North American Costa Rican Cultural Center, which was interesting.”

Favorite travel experience: “I’d have to say Cuba was the most extraordinary for me. It had incredible colors, the people were wonderful, there was music everywhere… it was so full of life. I was swept up in this other world. But I spent years living in Spain and Costa Rica, so they’re the closest to my heart.”

Who do you come home to? Her husband and two cats, Clarence and Lucy.

Why did you move back to Buffalo? “I missed my friends and family, but I also just ran out of money. I had to pay student loans, had no health benefits and was living paycheck to paycheck. Plus, Buffalo is a wonderful place to live. I’m a Buffalo booster and think the people with the most negativity are those who’ve never left. I’ve lived in lots of other countries and cities and yet I love the day-to-day life here. Because I grew up here, but also because I love the four seasons, the lifestyle, the people.”

Famous relatives: Her grandmother, Helen Neville, was a popular Buffalo radio and TV personality in the 1950s and 60s, and was a member of the first class inducted into the Western New York Broadcasting Hall of Fame. “She was another real Buffalo booster,” says Peterson.

Ever try photojournalism? Peterson once freelanced for Ande magazine in Spain, where she photographed parties, plays and other celebrity events that raised money for handicapped children.

Best show: “The Cuban show at the Buffalo Seminary. We had lots of mojitos and then I went out with my Latino friends to see Lance Diamond.”


Artvoice Blog Headlines

It’s Robert Rich Sr. All High Stadium

posted November 14, 4:05 pm on Artvoice Daily

These new signs properly label the structure. We’ve been reading recent stories in the Buffalo News about sportswriter Tom Borrelli’s terrible fall last week at the old All High Stadium. He’s currently battling life-threatening injuries... (more)

CWM Fined for Violations

posted November 14, 1:41 pm on Artvoice Daily

This week Chemical Waste Management was fined $175,000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating its permits and the state’s hazardous waste laws. I don’t have much to say about that, except it doesn’t seem to me like too much money... (more)

Musical Chairs

posted November 14, 11:51 am on Artvoice Daily

The AP reports that Hillary Clinton met with Barack Obama in Chicago yesterday, adding fuel to speculation that she might be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. If that happens, it has long been rumored that Brian Higgins would be appointed to her Senate seat... (more)

Paint the Town

posted November 14, 10:06 am on Artvoice Daily

Late last night, at the tail end of one of the few weeks in the past year in which we did not publish anything snarky about anybody, someone threw two gallons of paint on our front doors. Seems a waste; we hadn’t even earned it. Nonetheless, we were cleaning up all morning... (more)

Old Editions Book Shop

posted November 13, 12:58 pm on Artvoice Daily

AV videographer Matt Quinn tours Old Editions, an often overlooked treasure at the corner of Oak and Huron Streets downtown: show enclosure (video/x-flv; 21.29 MB)

This Is Not Today’s News

posted November 12, 8:37 am on Artvoice Daily

But it would be nice if it were. Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet.

This Just In…

posted November 11, 2:28 pm on Artvoice Daily

Always in the vanguard, researchers of the University at Buffalo’s Center of Human Capital have reached a bold conclusion, according to a statement disseminated this afternoon: Although no official determination has been made about whether New York State or the U... (more)

Silver Lining: Edwards Remains a Good Guy

posted November 11, 10:17 am on Artvoice Daily

Marshawn Lynch Amid the anguished finger-pointing, plaintive wailing and resigned head-shaking sweeping the region following the Buffalo Bills’ third straight defeat, Season Ticket would like to apportion a minute sliver of credit. Quarterback Trent Edwards, by most quantitative and qualitative standards, failed miserably at New England on Sunday (not coincidentally, this was also his third consecutive regressive outing)... (more)

Mazzariello’s Ristorante & Martini Bar

posted November 7, 3:30 pm on Chew on This

  Photo taken by Rose Mattrey From Antipasti to Primi to Secondi, Mazzariello’s (114 Bloomfield Ave, Lancaster, 206.0561) has conquered the map of Italian cooking. Your palate will be exposed to an array of spices, herbs, and ingredients indigenous to Northern & Southern Italy... (more)

Post Election Bits & Bytes

posted November 6, 11:02 pm on Tech Voice

Election ‘08 is now in the history books - so I figured it’s time to take a look backward, and a look forward at some relevant headlines. Hacking Democracy First, we’ll take a look at one of the best kept secrets of the campaign season, from both sides, care of a Newsweek article published just today... (more)

BNMC Open Meeting Tonight

posted November 6, 12:19 pm on Artvoice Daily

Tonight at 6pm in the auditorium of the downtown library, everyone is invited to attend a public hearing on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus—North End Projects. Among the projects planned are a 300,000 square foot Medical Office Building to be owned and operated by Ciminelli Development Company, Inc... (more)

That Pigeon Won’t Fly

posted November 6, 9:05 am on Artvoice Daily

Steve Pigeon Here’s another example, this one two years old, of the way Steve Pigeon’s political committees are alleged to steer money to candidates illegally. On September 15, 2006, the Pigeon-controlled PAC Citizens for Fiscal Integrity paid “RUR Strategy Group” $9,000 in consulting fees, according to CFI’s campaign finance disclosure forms... (more)

SeaBar’s Social Calendar

posted November 5, 11:44 am on Chew on This

SeaBar will host live jazz and sushi nights starting Friday, November 21st at 8 p.m. (5235 Main Street, Wmsvl, 204.5283). A Cave Springs Riesling Tasting Event will take place at SeaBar’s suburban location on Wednesday, November 9th at 7 p.m... (more)

Nader: In a Word…

posted November 4, 2:46 pm on Artvoice Daily

Here’s a nice report from MSNBC’s Bob Sullivan: That’s how Ralph Nader closed his third-party presidential campaign today at a small press conference in Washington D.C.’s National Press Club. He instructed reporters that he would only give one-word answers to all questions posed — in a sarcastic nod to the sound-bite nature of election coverage... (more)

Artvoice TV: Latest Additions » more on AVTV

TRAIN DAY! @ the Buffalo Historical Society

posted November 17, 3:07 pm on channel Local Interest

I met with Peter Burakowski from the Buffalo Histroical Society to check out their fantastic train exhibit.. Now I have to be honest I was kinda embarrassed to tell Peter that I Hadn't been to the museum since I was about six years old... But the place looks great and has a lot going on for the holiday season. Check out this clip then head on down to the Buffalo Historical Society!

Mass Appeal: Elmwood Fashion Event

posted November 15, 10:19 pm on channel Events

On Friday night the Elmwood Village Association packed the Lafayette Presbyterian Church with a sold out "Mass Appeal: An Elmwood Fashion Event." The atmosphere was electric in the brightly lit church as models strutted down the catwalk to lively deejay beats.

Buffalo Contemporay Dance

posted November 15, 6:43 pm on channel Events

This weekend we stopped at Alt Theatre, 255 Great Arrow, to check Buffalo Contemporary Dance's 10th Anniversary performance. The little black box theatre in the Great Arrow Industrial Center is exceptionally intimate and provides a that up close experience you won't get at larger venues. Dancers and choreographers Amy Taravella and Leslie Wexler put together a lovely set of dance pieces with a variety of musical styles and an enthusiastic group of dancers...

Old Editions Book Shop

posted November 13, 11:42 am on channel Local Interest

I had a chance to check out the Old Editions Book Shop & Café at 74 East Huron Street, Buffalo.... WOW i was blown away at how any cool things they had on display there....Not just the thousands of books on everything from local authors to rare leather-bounds, but hundreds of maps, prints and other artwork. If you havent been down to the corner of Oak and Huron to check it out i suggest you do!

Off Stage: Conversations with Anthony Chase

posted November 12, 4:50 pm on channel Theater

This week, Artvoice and TAB present Part II of the interview with Road Less Traveled founder, Scott Behrand. This is the second installment of "Off Stage", a series of conversations with the Buffalo theatre community and AV Theatre Editor Anthony Chase.

Happy Go Lucky

posted November 12, 2:08 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Happy Go Lucky, in theaters now. Read M. Faust's review of the film here.

Quantum of Solace

posted November 12, 2:01 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Quantum of Solace, in theaters November 14th. Read George Sax's review of the film here.

Flash Party at Essex St.

posted November 9, 10:59 am on channel Events

The annual Flash Party-Griffis Sculpture Park fundraiser at the Essex St. art complex was the raucous gathering of music and art it's always been. With live music by the Ifs, plenty of art and free beer what else would you expect?

Lakeview Effect at Nietzsche's

posted November 8, 4:54 pm on channel Music

When Lakeview Effect crowded into the front bar at Nietzsche's with their keyboards, drums, two guitars, bass and percussion, there wasn't much room left. Nevertheless, people space to jam in and groove to the interesting and often unpredictable tunes. Some even found room to dance.

Flatbed at Allen St. Hardware

posted November 8, 2:28 pm on channel Music

We'd been trying to film something at the Hardware Cafe for sometime but everything always came out way too dark. Finally, last Friday, Nov. 7, we just brought in some lights and managed to get footage of Flatbed and their homegrown American sound.

Obama's Night

posted November 6, 3:13 pm on channel Politics

On November 4th, history was in the making; but as we know, history needs to be recorded by someone. ArtvoiceTv.com video crews roamed the election night streets of the city.

Election Day: Douglas County Staging Location One

posted November 6, 10:59 am on channel Election 08

Election Day early morning deliberations on techniques for the placement of door hangers at Douglas County Staging Location One. Note that Station Location One doubles as the home to a family with two small children who were sleeping nearby at the time of the taping. This and the five-thirty a.m. time of day accounts for the whispering.

Voter Turn-Out: Nevada

posted November 6, 10:55 am on channel Election 08

Comments by U.S. Congressional Representative Dean Heller of Nevada [R-2nd District]. Recorded at the free community Chili Feed at the Nugget Casino, part of Carson City's annual Nevada Day festivities. This year's feed was hosted by Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki. [R]

What Just Happened

posted November 5, 2:25 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for What Just Happened, in theaters now. Read George Sax's review of the film here.

Rachel Getting Married

posted November 5, 2:12 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Rachel Getting Married, in theaters now. Read M. Faust's review of the film here.



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