On the corner of Plymouth Avenue, something remarkable is taking shape. The transformation of 284 Plymouth is more than just a renovation — it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and cultural connection.
When the building reopens, the ground floor will welcome Stitch Buffalo, a beloved local nonprofit empowering refugee and immigrant women through textile arts. Above, coming in 2026, four modern apartments will bring new residents and fresh energy to the neighborhood. But it’s the building’s side wall that promises to become a neighborhood landmark — thanks to a bold, beautiful mural created in partnership with the Buffalo AKG Public Art Initiative.
The mural will be designed by Saira Siddiqui, an artist known for her vibrant, story-driven work and her deep commitment to community engagement. Rather than painting behind closed doors, Saira and the Stitch Buffalo team are inviting the neighborhood into the process through public workshops running through the end of 2024. Together with Stitch’s collective of refugee and immigrant artisans, the design will be shaped by a tapestry of cultural narratives, visual traditions, and shared experiences.
The mural project at 284 Plymouth is a collaboration between the Buffalo AKG Public Art Initiative and Stitch Buffalo, featuring local artist Saira Siddiqui. The mural is being created as part of the redevelopment of the building, home to Stitch on the first floor and market-rate apartments on the second floor planned for 2026.
Key details about the mural project include:
- Artist Saira Siddiqui is leading public workshops with Stitch Buffalo and community members to develop the mural design through the end of 2024.
- The mural will be painted on Polytab, a lightweight, flexible non-woven fabric that adapts to the building surface.
- Members of the public will be invited to help paint the mural in spring 2025.
- The finished mural will be installed on the side of the new Stitch Buffalo building at 284 Plymouth Avenue.
- The project aims to celebrate textile arts, elevate the neighborhood, and create a welcoming environment that fosters community connections.
- Stitch Buffalo works to empower refugee and immigrant women through textile art and community education.
- The project is supported by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Public Art Initiative, with leadership funding from Erie County and the City of Buffalo.
Saira Siddiqui is known for her focus on community engagement and placemaking, inviting residents to participate in the art-making process to strengthen neighborhood identity and ownership. The mural partnership exemplifies a creative and inclusive approach to public art as part of neighborhood revitalization. In the fall of 2025, the work will truly come to life — community members will be invited to pick up a brush and help paint the mural on Polytab fabric, a material that can be safely installed onto the building’s surface. This means the project is not only for the neighborhood, but also by the neighborhood.
Once installed, the mural will drape 284 Plymouth in color, pattern, and purpose — honoring the textile arts at the heart of Stitch Buffalo’s mission while also serving as a beacon for creativity, inclusivity, and pride. Supported by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Public Art Initiative, with leadership funding from Erie County and the City of Buffalo, the project stands as an inspiring example of how art and redevelopment can work hand in hand to revitalize a community. In the years to come, passersby on Plymouth Avenue won’t just see a building. They’ll see a story stitched into the fabric of Buffalo itself.
