A delegation of children from Buffalo's sister city, Changzhou in China, brought their artwork to the Queen City. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the exhibit of their paintings will promote cross-cultural learning for the cities.
“The city is being presented with works of art from some great artists,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
Speaking with an interpreter nearby, the mayor welcomed about 40 delegates from Changzhou many are children from the Changzhou Tomato Farmer Art Center. They appeared at the Buffalo Arts Studio at the Tri-Main Building where more than 20 pieces of their art work is on display.
“Best of all, some of our distinguished artists are here today,” announced Mayor Brown.
Changzhou, in Eastern China, is Buffalo's 19th sister-city. Yu Pei is Changzhou Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs. He also spoke through an interpreter.
“The paintings are all based on the children’s understanding or imagination of the U.S., China, Buffalo or Changzhou,” stated Pei.
The student paintings are creative and colorful. There's a U.S. flag, an American-style cheeseburger with fries and a Pepsi. Some of the art work was created by children as young as four years of age.
We spoke to one of the artists who talked about his painting of an apricot tree.
“Apricot has a very special meaning in China and this flower opens in winter time and people in China love this kind of flower,” the boy responded.
WBFO News asked him, through an interpreter, what he thinks of Buffalo.
“He thinks that Buffalo is a very beautiful city and here it’s not so hot as Las Vegas because we came from Vegas,” remarked the boy.
Changzhou representatives gave the Mayor Magnolia seeds. In return, Brown gave the delegates gold Buffalo pins.
“As the children from Changzhou put on their gold Buffalo pins, I’m also making them honorary deputy mayors in the city of Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown.
A film crew from Changzhou is also putting together a documentary about the sister city relationship with Buffalo and followed the children’s visit through the Buffalo Arts Studio.