Local artist Lara Martini recently completed her first outdoor mural as part of this year’s Hertel Alley Mural Fest, presented by Arts Services Inc. Her piece—one of 28 new installations—is titled Buffalove in Bloom and spans 10 feet tall by 19 feet wide on a building just off Hertel Avenue near Crestwood.

“This was always a dream of mine,” Lara says. “Two years ago, I stumbled upon the festival and vowed to be a part of it one day.”

Each mural in the festival remains on display for two years before being painted over to make way for new work. Lara’s vibrant, hand-painted contribution celebrates Buffalo’s cultural richness through a garden of global blooms—each flower symbolizing one of the city’s diverse communities. “I know so many people here from different countries,” she explains. “So, I included flowers from their homelands—like the Yellow Trumpet Flower for Nigeria, the Lotus for Vietnam, and the poppy for Israel.”

“Art communicates faster than words,” Lara reflects. “My piece is about connection. Buffalo is such a manageable, intimate city—and I wanted to express that. On the surface, I hope people enjoy its beauty. But for those who look deeper, I hope they see the extraordinary diversity that makes Buffalo so vibrant.”

Lara and her husband, Bucky Abramovsky, have lived in Buffalo for the past 15 years. After Bucky earned degrees from UB and Buffalo State, the couple made a bold move from New York City to Western New York. “We just decided one day to move to Buffalo,” Lara laughs. “Within a few months, we bought a house, got a dog, and got married!”

Today, Lara works for a global software company, while Bucky serves as an attorney for the City of Buffalo. They live in South Buffalo with their 7-year-old son, Giuseppe, and are active members of Temple Beth Tzedek.

In 2022, Lara joined the second Momentum trip to Israel for mothers—an experience that continues to shape her. “She brought incredible energy to our cohort,” recalls Jill Komm, the Federation professional who led the trip. “Lara embraced every moment and returned eager to put her learning into action.”

Since then, Lara has stayed engaged, volunteering with the Federation and serving on the Israel scholarship committee at the Foundation. “She continues to give back,” Jill adds. “And our community shines a little brighter because of her.”