CURRENT MISSION

To learn about how other artists, activists and creatives are saving and changing the places around them. What they are passionate about, how they're celebrating it, and what they do to benefit their community.

ABOUT ME

I am an artist, historian and preservation activist. I am positive, friendly, helpful, and creative. I created CITY of NIGHT, a site-specific one-night art festival at Buffalo historic vacant grain elevators, with my organization, Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo. Being a part of the community activist and art scene in Buffalo has taught me how to successfully collaborate and work very hard. I love to teach people about public history, genealogy, and how to research a historic property, and share my art (which usually relates to old buildings, lol.)

PHILOSOPHY

When traveling, say yes to pretty much anything and amazing things will happen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've surfed a few times in great cities, and would love to open my house to surfers, but I don't own it, so that's not up to me.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've couch surfed several times and also have hosted a number of people at my house in Buffalo. Having had roommates in a large house for years, I'm very comfortable sharing space with others, and enjoy their company.

Interests

History, art, activism, discussing family history and genealogy, hanging out in urban areas, bird watching and nature, riding my retro bicycle, traveling!

• birds
• arts
• performing arts
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• traveling
• music
• art history
• business
• genealogy
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Artists: Hung Liu, Wangeshi Mutu, Georgia O'Keefe, Edward Hopper

Music: Babik, Kings of Convenience, Madeline Peyroux, Buena Vista Social Club, A Fine Frenzy, Lhasa de Sela, Ray Lamontagne, Ben Folds, Nina Simone, classical, etc etc.

Movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Punch Drunk Love, Lost in Translation, Life is Beautiful, Boys Don't Cry, Science of Sleep

Books: A Year In the World, The Four Agreements, Cane River, The Demon-haunted World, Leaves of Grass, The Poetry of Space, The Death & Life of Great American Cities

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Visiting the Italian hill town from which my great-grandfather emigrated to the US over 95 years ago.

Also, planning a event at Buffalo's grain elevators which included immersive art installations/music/performance/food, and watching 12,000 people enjoy it (cityofnightbuffalo.com)

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: art/art history, basic genealogy/property history, small business ownership, historic preservation, green tips, vegetarianism.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my basic cooking skills and my art! Michael can share his art and knowledge about 3D printing/emerging technologies and facial prosthetics.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States