Arts flourish at Botanical Gardens with Stitch Buffalo exhibit & opportunities for artists

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, Stitch Buffalo team up for pollinator-themed arts exhibit

Press Release & Images Submitted by the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and Stitch Buffalo have teamed up for “Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World,” a handcrafted textile art exhibit made of embroidery hoops with floral and pollinator motifs. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through April 28.

The Botanical Gardens' “Open Art Nights” also return for the spring and summer season for local artists to create in plein-air inside the conservatory from 4-8 p.m. every second Wednesday (now through September). A spring linocut workshop for beginners takes place from 1-4 p.m. April 12. Paintings from My Watercolored Soul, an exhibit in the Botanical Gardens' Arcangel Gallery by local watercolorist Fritz Raiser, opens March 26 and will be on view through May 4.

Following the success of Stitch Buffalo’s “Flock of All Colors” exhibit displayed in 2023, “Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World” invites the Western New York community to celebrate the beauty and importance of pollinators.

Just as pollinators spread life and vibrancy by helping flowers bloom in the Botanical Gardens, Stitch Buffalo facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas, skills and stories among diverse communities. Through its creation of handcrafted textile art – often inspired by the artisans’ cultural heritage – Stitch Buffalo nurtures creativity and creates opportunities for individuals to flourish in new environments through its community education, sales of textile goods and services, and empowering opportunities for the community and refugee and immigrant women.

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“Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World” features dozens of embroidery hoops inspired by their artisans' cultural heritage, presented in the air with a sky-blue background that presents the pollinators in flight. Each hoop was hand-crafted by the refugee and immigrant women of Stitch Buffalo and feature pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds and dragonflies. The community is invited to purchase the hoops and take a piece of this exhibit home with them. Pricing and purchasing information can be found on this website.

Dawne Hoeg said, "At Stitch Buffalo, we believe in the power of textile arts to tell stories, bridge cultures, and create meaningful connections. ‘Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World’ is a celebration of both nature’s beauty and the artisans of the refugee women's workshop at Stitch Buffalo. Just as pollinators sustain life by helping flowers thrive, these artisans bring vibrancy to our community through their creativity and heritage. We are honored to share their incredible work in partnership with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, and invite everyone to experience the artistry, skill and cultural richness stitched into each piece.”

This art exhibit comes after the recent announcement of the Botanical Gardens' “Butterfly Experience,” opening this summer (June 7 through Aug. 3), and encourages visitors to gain excitement about pollinators coming to the Botanical Gardens. More pollinator-themed excitement is coming to the Botanical Gardens with the brand-new pollinator-themed playspace opening later this month as announced on social media.

Additional arts opportunities return to the Botanical Gardens for the spring and summer seasons with the return of “Open Art Nights.” The event opens the conservatory from 4-8 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month for local artists of all abilities to be immersed in the foliage and create art in plein air. Artists can choose to set up in any space in the conservatory to inspire their work. Seating and water for paints are provided, but artists are encouraged to bring their own easels, small tables, water cups, and water-based or dry media to work with. The cost is $22 per person or $10 for members. “Open Art Nights” occur monthly through September.

All exhibits are included with regular admission to the Botanical Gardens. Tickets can be pre-purchased online at buffalogardens.com.