Creating a Vibrant Chalk Mural for the Rally on the River Event in Buffalo, NY

Danielle Meyer
Sep 6
3 min read

The word of the day is dynamic

Rally on the River at Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo NY 2025

The annual Rally on the River at Buffalo RiverWorks event, held on the Saturday before the first Buffalo Bills home game, was today. This year, I was excited to create a chalk mural that not only celebrated the spirit of the event, but also pushed my skills and upped my color game.

In this post, I’ll guide you through my mural-making journey, sharing the inspiration behind my design and the joy of seeing it come alive during this vibrant gathering.

The Inspiration Behind the Mural

The event comes at the tail end of the chalk art season in Western New York. Today was not a competition so I decided to do something different. Get out of my comfort-zone and to push my skills. The theme of the day was the "best of WYN." To get it all out in the open, I am not a big NFL football fan. I'm more of a college football fan (Go Noles!). With that out of the way, while it is a very Buffalo Bills centric event I decided to do something more buffalo-adjacent, a charging buffalo.

My goal for this mural was to create a colorful and dynamic piece. After some post-chalk season reflection, I realized I need to make my murals more engaging and dynamic. Color, I've got on lock, but making things move, that needs some work.

Preparing for the Event

Preparation for definitely more slap-dash than usual. A few weeks ago I had decided on my image, but it was the gathering of "all the things" that I slacked on. After that Buffalo Chalkfest Mortal Kombat mural, I loaded my chalk wagon into the car and then straight into the garage. And that's where it stayed until today. Luckily mostly what I needed was already in the wagon.

I woke up early (on a Saturday👎) and set up my workspace. It was drizzly, cold, and grey. Not a great start to the day. Since I decided to work on the exterior wall of the silo building, the rain wasn't much of an issue. I covered my supplies with my spare tarp and got to work. Eventually as the rain passed and the morning progressed, and fans decked out in their Bills gear began to meander by.

The Creation Process

I started with the eyes and worked out from there. I left the black tempera background splotchy on purpose. I didn't want it to formal and clocked in. I really think it helped keep things loose and painterly.

The Final Touches

I started at 8AM and finished around 2PM working straight through with only minor breaks. After several hours of diligent work, the mural was complete. Stepping back, I admired the vibrant colors and intricate details woven together. I was and am very proud of this piece!

While the event continued, I enjoyed watching families take photos in front of the mural. It was fulfilling to see my artwork become a cherished backdrop for so many joyful moments..

Final Product

Community Engagement

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating the mural was engaging with the community. Throughout the day, I met fellow artists, fans, and families who shared their own stories and connections to Buffalo. Many attendees expressed their appreciation for the mural, telling me how it resonated with their love for the city and the Bills.

It was a powerful reminder of how art brings people together and creates a sense of belonging. In fact, studies show that communities with vibrant public art see a 20% increase in community pride, proving that creativity fosters connection.

A Memorable Experience

The Rally on the River 2025 event in Buffalo, NY, was great and creating a vibrant chalk mural stood out as the highlight of the day. As the first home game of the Buffalo Bills approaches, I hope my mural serves as a reminder of the joy and excitement that sports and community can bring to our lives. I anticipate participating in more events like this, where art and community come together meaningfully.

If you find yourself in Buffalo, explore the local art scene and the incredible events that celebrate the city’s rich culture. You might just feel inspired to create your masterpiece!

Thank you for joining me on this artistic journey—I hope to see you at my next event!