Uncrowned Community Builders

Gerald Seals was born in Buffalo, New York, one of nine children of Reverend W.B. and Clara Seals. He attended local schools, beginning with public school # 37, now Futures Academy, from Kindergarten to eighth grade. Southside Junior High, in its initial freshman class, then graduating from South Park high school in 1970.

He married the former Deborah Chatman in 1971. They have two children, and three grandchildren. After a five-year academic and on the job apprenticeship training program in the Building trades, Mr. Seals received Journeyman Steamfitter status and worked in the industry for fifteen years. He then spent the next 27 years in the Telecommunications industry retiring in 2013.

He had occasionally done pencil sketches for relaxation and amusement with no particular goal in mind. As a member of the Delavan Grider Community Center, he joined the art class taught by Buffalo, N.Y. artist, John Baker, in May of 2016. Finding some encouraging results, in acrylic painting, and a sense of optimism for an activity providing personal growth and an outlet for creativity, Mr. Seals hopes to make the creation of art a continuing pursuit.

To date Mr. Seals has exhibited his work in: "Art from the Heart" at the Delavan Grider Community Center in 2016, the Jefferson Ave. Renaissance Art Festival 2017, and the Underground Railroad Heritage Festival at Broderick Park 2017. He was also a participant in the exhibit, "Images of Us by Us" in the Burchfield-Penny Art Centers "Stay Gold" exhibition 2017-18, the Main Street Gallery 2nd anniversary, Buffalo NY, 2018 and the Western New York Urban Arts Collective's annual exhibition at the Main Street Gallery in 2018.

Mr. Seals' artist statement explains that his goal: "is to produce art that is engaging, compelling, and memorable long after the exhibit. I work knowing each canvas is my teacher so I'm always the student."
He is a member of The Western New York Urban Arts Collective.