Preston's Emily Carr Dream
Donation protected
Preston Buffalo is a Two-Spirit, First Nations artist living and creating in the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. Preston is a member of the Samson Cree nation from Maskwacis Alberta. I am Preston's mom, Dallas, and I live on Vancouver Island.
After a series of health issues made it impossible to carry on with his original passion, Preston traded in a very successful 20-plus-year career as a cutting- edge Hairstylist in Vancouver, to pursue his dream to create art. The change in career, coupled with a newly diagnosed disability, led Preston to immerse himself in the production of various art forms, initially as a diversion from the depression he was going through.
In April of 2017, Preston’s digitally remastered photographs were selected to be part of the “Two-Spirit Sur-Thrivance and the Art of Interrupting Narratives” exhibition in Montreal. That got his creative juices flowing and he’s been creating a wide spectrum of art ever since. Then came the idea of returning to school to study art.
The universe aligned quickly and now Preston has begun the BFA program at the prestigious Emily Carr University. Unfortunately, the funding support he was counting on from our First Nation has fallen through. With only his disability allowance to live on, it has been impossible for Preston to save enough money for school. Preston has applied for student loans for next semester, but it is too late for this term.
This past June, the CBC found Preston's work online, and commissioned him to redesign their gem logo for the month of June. In addition to that, Preston has been working on a number of themed collections that have had an enthusiastic response. These works can be viewed on his website (link below).
Preston has always been an artist. He expressed his visions beautifully in the hair industry. Now he is working in a different medium and we are so fortunate to have an opportunity to see his new artistic visions. He is looking forward to stretching his creativity to the max, while learning both new techniques and also exploring First Nations art - both traditional and contemporary.
When Preston applied to Emily Carr, he did not think he would get in because of the large number of applicants for a few spots. Emily Carr is excited about working with him, and have given him an extension on his tuition fees, but that is quickly running out. If the tuition is not paid soon Preston will have to withdraw from the school.
The tuition for the first semester is $3385.25. Emily Carr has been very understanding and supportive, and have provided Preston with a tuition deferral, but there is a penalty fee due for that. The course requires a MacBook Pro computer which can be found refurbished for around $1500. This is a once -in-a-lifetime opportunity for Preston - and for the world to see what he will create next.
Check out Preston’s social media.
On Instagram as prestonbuffalo at this link - Instagram link
Preston’s website is at Prestonbuffalo.com in case the links don’t work.
Preston would like to give back, so the first five donations of $100 will be given a Heart pendant as seen on his website. The first five donations of $250 or more will receive one of the new Pug bags, sister to the popular, now sold-out Poodle bag. The hearts are on Preston's website but the Pug bag is still in production so it's not been unveiled yet.
Please help Preston realize his dream and help him get his work out there! We all want to see what he will create next! Thank you for your support!
Photo Credit to Daniel Baylis - @daniel_baylis
After a series of health issues made it impossible to carry on with his original passion, Preston traded in a very successful 20-plus-year career as a cutting- edge Hairstylist in Vancouver, to pursue his dream to create art. The change in career, coupled with a newly diagnosed disability, led Preston to immerse himself in the production of various art forms, initially as a diversion from the depression he was going through.
In April of 2017, Preston’s digitally remastered photographs were selected to be part of the “Two-Spirit Sur-Thrivance and the Art of Interrupting Narratives” exhibition in Montreal. That got his creative juices flowing and he’s been creating a wide spectrum of art ever since. Then came the idea of returning to school to study art.
The universe aligned quickly and now Preston has begun the BFA program at the prestigious Emily Carr University. Unfortunately, the funding support he was counting on from our First Nation has fallen through. With only his disability allowance to live on, it has been impossible for Preston to save enough money for school. Preston has applied for student loans for next semester, but it is too late for this term.
This past June, the CBC found Preston's work online, and commissioned him to redesign their gem logo for the month of June. In addition to that, Preston has been working on a number of themed collections that have had an enthusiastic response. These works can be viewed on his website (link below).
Preston has always been an artist. He expressed his visions beautifully in the hair industry. Now he is working in a different medium and we are so fortunate to have an opportunity to see his new artistic visions. He is looking forward to stretching his creativity to the max, while learning both new techniques and also exploring First Nations art - both traditional and contemporary.
When Preston applied to Emily Carr, he did not think he would get in because of the large number of applicants for a few spots. Emily Carr is excited about working with him, and have given him an extension on his tuition fees, but that is quickly running out. If the tuition is not paid soon Preston will have to withdraw from the school.
The tuition for the first semester is $3385.25. Emily Carr has been very understanding and supportive, and have provided Preston with a tuition deferral, but there is a penalty fee due for that. The course requires a MacBook Pro computer which can be found refurbished for around $1500. This is a once -in-a-lifetime opportunity for Preston - and for the world to see what he will create next.
Check out Preston’s social media.
On Instagram as prestonbuffalo at this link - Instagram link
Preston’s website is at Prestonbuffalo.com in case the links don’t work.
Preston would like to give back, so the first five donations of $100 will be given a Heart pendant as seen on his website. The first five donations of $250 or more will receive one of the new Pug bags, sister to the popular, now sold-out Poodle bag. The hearts are on Preston's website but the Pug bag is still in production so it's not been unveiled yet.
Please help Preston realize his dream and help him get his work out there! We all want to see what he will create next! Thank you for your support!
Photo Credit to Daniel Baylis - @daniel_baylis
Organizer
Dallas Buffalo
Organizer
Nanaimo, BC
