Public Art at Buffalo Waterfront
Shark Girl
Shark Girl is the absurd, hilarious, and bittersweet creation of artist Casey Riordan. While Shark Girl might appear sorrowful or lonely, there is also a comic element to this “fish out of water.” In Riordan’s first public sculpture, Shark Girl patiently waits, legs daintily crossed, hands folded, for a companion to join her. Shark Girl was one of the first public art initiatives for the AKG.
Wind Sculptures
This cluster of wind sculptures sitting atop a 15-foot mound overlook on the Outer Harbor with a spiral path to the top was commissioned by ECHDC and made by Whitaker Studios in 2013.
“Wedding of the Waters” Bronze Relief
An approximately 11-by-4-foot bronze “Wedding of the Waters” sculpture relief is displayed at the Longshed. It was designed, sculpted, and cast in bronze at the Buffalo Maritime Center Foundry and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Round Man
The 20-foot steel sculpture, located on the Outer Harbor’s Greenway Nature Trail near the water’s edge, replaced the Flat Man sculpture in 2022. Prior to its home at the Outer Harbor, Round Man, like Flat Man, originated at Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto, New York. The sculpture stands at almost 3 stories and weighs close to 2,500 pounds.
BUF
In partnership with Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN), BUF was unveiled in 2024 at Canalside. The steel 3-D letters, 5 feet tall and weighing more than 1,000 pounds was designed and fabricated by Rigidized Metals, then painted by Buffalo artist Nicole Cherry.
Start Over Again
This piece on the Outer Harbor was installed on the Greenway Nature Trail next to the Bell Slip in 2024. The five orange and steel chairs sculpture were designed by Buffalo artist Kevin Kegler and fabricated by Nickel City Metal Works.
Destination
Destination reflects the journey of millions of immigrants who stepped off boats from New York or Albany and onto the streets of Buffalo. Destination includes more than 50 pairs of footprints ascending the Immigrant Steps, where the original steps marked the Erie Canal’s end at the Commercial Slip, a connection point between the canal, the Buffalo River and the Great Lakes. The footprints — sandblast etched into the stairs — invite visitors to follow them, perhaps stopping to sit and ponder history on the nearby travel trunks made of granite. It was created by local University at Buffalo sculpture professor and German immigrant Reinhard Reitzenstein.