Buffalo State ceramics students and alumni are creating 55 mini buffaloes to be painted by local artists and auctioned at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute November Gala, benefitting research and patient care.

It’s a time-consuming process, taking approximately five hours to birth a mini buffalo. The buffaloes are based on an original model created by Stephen Saracino, professor of design. The students and alumni follow a multi-step slipcast and assembly process, typically used to make complicated porcelain figurines. 

“It’s a great cause and a great learning process,” said Robert Wood, professor of design. “And, it brings together our students, our alums, and our community.” Wood was involved in the original Herd About Buffalo auction ten years ago, which raised approximately $75,000 for Roswell Park. When Roswell Park fundraisers decided to do a repeat stampede, they quickly turned to the Buffalo State College Design Department.

Roswell Park's white-tie fundraiser is scheduled for November 13, 6 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.

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