Buffalo’s AKG Art Museum debuted a half-hour documentary this last Thursday in celebration of the opening of their latest invitational survey exhibition Hi-Vis.

The exhibition and corresponding documentary Hi-Vis: Ten Years of Public Art (directed by AKG’s Multimedia Producer Jeff Mace) chronicle the first 10 years of the Public Art Initiative, the AKG’s partnership with Erie County and the City of Buffalo.

The initiative is named after the high-visibility orange and yellow donned by the construction workers who bring artists’ visions to life.

It is the first collaboration of its kind between a contemporary art institution and the city it operates in. They have produced more than 60 works of public art by more than 80 artists in its first decade.

Dr. Janne Sirén, the museum’s Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director, introduced the documentary with a few words reflecting on the impact of the initiative on the community of Buffalo at large. His speech highlighted the aspirational nature of public art and its ability to transcend across cultural barriers to make art truly accessible for everyone.

In fact, many of the artists featured in the exhibit were in attendance among the crowded audience at Lipsey Auditorium. The documentary that followed gave an experiential insight into the dedication and courage that has made the Public Art Initiative’s success over the last 10 years possible.

The opening of this exhibition could not come at a more opportune time. Erie County residents can visit the museum and all of its exhibitions free of charge this week through Monday, Feb. 24. Hi-Vis opens Friday, Feb. 21 and will show through June 9.

A map of the public art installations fostered under the Public Art Initiative can be found at the AKG Website. The documentary film is available to watch on the AKG official Youtube channel.