Artist portrait series
he Artist Spotlight series I created for the UB Arts Collaboratory was a celebration of Buffalo’s diverse and dynamic creative community. Through photography and storytelling, I captured intimate portraits of local artists in their spaces, showcasing their processes, inspirations, and the unique energy they bring to their work. Each feature was an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible talent in our city while fostering connections between artists and the wider community. Working on this project allowed me to delve deeply into the stories behind the art, creating a visual and narrative archive that highlights the collaborative and innovative spirit of Buffalo’s arts scene.
Olivia Maybee is a multi media artist born in Buffalo & raised on the Cattaraugus Resevation. She specializes in film photography, directing, and contemporary art techniques. Outside of her art practice, she is a model and role model to Seneca youth and has involvement within tribal, state, and federal politics. She is using art to create change within New York and beyond.
Parrish Gibbons has worked within the Western New York arts community since 2011, having held positions at Starlight Studio and Art Gallery and Arts Services Initiative of WNY (ASI, now Arts Services, Inc.) as well as the Kenan Center and currently at Hallwalls. She founded and curated Flight Gallery from 2018 until this year and is the co-owner of Plak Art Plus in North Tonawanda, a woman-owned and operated plak mounting business.
Gibbons also is the board chair of the Beyond Support Network, the merged social services entity formerly operated as the Learning Disabilities Association and Cantalician Center for Learning.
Schondra Aytch is a Buffalo, NY-based writer and melomaniac who covers all things music and culture. Most known for creating local hip-hop and r&b blog, Sneakvibing, Schondra documents the music scene with profiles, commentary, and album reviews of our city's up-and-comers. She also contributes her writing talents to local publications within Western New York like Cornelia Magazine, The Public, Beau Fleuve Music + Arts, and The Challenger News, among many others, Schondra continues to uplift the arts community through her work.
