Buffalo Pothole Bandit

Buffalo Pothole Bandit
Installation near Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Born
Buffalo, New York
Known forStreet art
StyleMosaic
Websitebuffalopotholebandit.com

The Buffalo Pothole Bandit (BPHB) is a street artist who fills potholes with mosaic art.

Background

In 2022, the artist filled their first pothole in front of a Buffalo, New York bakery, determined to prevent themselves and others from becoming injured.[1]

The artist has cited Toynbee tiles as their inspiration for creating the art installations.[2]

In public appearances, the artist wears a raccoon mask to maintain anonymity.[3]

Installations

The artist frequently utilizes collaborators to complete installations, who are referred to as Banditos.[4]

Local Buffalo artist Elizabeth Schmidt, who specializes in resin casting, has been cited as a collaborator.[4]

Outside of Buffalo, they have also completed installations in Burlington, Vermont (2025), Ithaca, New York (2025), Portland, Oregon (2025), and New Orleans, Louisiana (2026).[3][2][5][6]

Political views

The artist endorsed Democratic state senator Sean Ryan in the 2025 Buffalo mayoral election, and starred in his campaign videos.[7][8]

While the artist tries to avoid political messaging in their work, they have admitted incorporating themes of queer and LGBT pride.[9]

Awards

Buffalo Spree's Best of WNY 2024 – Best Public Art[10]

References

  1. ↑ Ryckman, Tatiana (December 23, 2024). "Creating community whimsy, one pothole at a time". Buffalo Spree. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Qusba, Cereese (July 10, 2025). "From potholes to canvasses: Buffalo Pothole Bandit brings mosaics to Ithaca's streets". The Ithaca Voice. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Lickteig, Mary Ann (March 18, 2025). "'Buffalo Pothole Bandit' Fills Burlington Ruts With Artwork". Seven Days. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Licata, Elizabeth (April 14, 2024). "Elizabeth Licata: Buffalo Pothole Bandit adds art to unexpected places". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ Rhoades, Amanda (October 29, 2025). "Portland's potholes get creative makeover from the Buffalo Pothole Bandit". KOIN. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ Bubnash, Kasey (April 26, 2026). "This artist fills potholes across the US with mosaics. New Orleans supplied plenty of canvas". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ Shoemaker, J. Dale (June 25, 2025). "In Buffalo mayoral primary, voters sought change in City Hall". Investigative Post. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  8. ↑ DeGeorge, Kim (March 18, 2025). "Buffalo Pothole Bandit wants to know where the worst pothole in Buffalo is". WGRZ. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ Smith, Brett Llenos (April 24, 2024). "The Buffalo Pothole Bandit Turns Pothole Problems Into Whimsy Works of Art". Step Out Buffalo. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Best of WNY 2024 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT". Buffalo Spree. July 18, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
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