Stitch Buffalo ButterflyThe Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and Stitch Buffalo have teamed up for a pollinator-themed arts exhibit, and more arts opportunities flourish into the spring season. 

Buffalo, NY— The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and Stitch Buffalo have teamed up for Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World, a hand-crafted textile art exhibit made of embroidery hoops with floral and pollinator motifs. The exhibit is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm now through April 28, 2025. 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 on every second Wednesday from now through September from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A Spring Linocut Workshop for beginners takes place on April 12 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Paintings from My Watercolored Soul, an exhibit in the Botanical Gardens' Arcangel Gallery by local watercolorist Fritz Raiser also opens on 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 their 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 their community education, sales of textile goods and services, and empowering opportunities for the community and refugee and immigrant women. 

Pollinators and Flowers from Around the World features dozens of embroidery hoops inspired by their artisans' cultural heritage and are 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, dragonflies and more. 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 their website. 

"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," said Dawne Hoeg

This art exhibit comes after the recent announcement of the Botanical Gardens' Butterfly Experience opening this summer on June 7 through August 3, 2025 and encourages visitors to gain excitement about pollinators coming to the Botanical Gardens.  More pollinator-themed excitement is coming to the Botanical Gardens with their brand-new pollinator themed Playspace opening later this month as announced on their 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 4:00pm to 8:00pm 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. 

A Spring Linocut Workshop is also scheduled for April 12 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The workshop is designed for beginners to create their own linocut print inspired by the spring season. Registration is required and the cost is $50 per person or $45 for members. 

Visitors will enjoy a beautiful watercolor exhibit by local artist, Fritz Raiser. His exhibit, Paintings from My Watercolored Soul , will feature vibrant florals and familiar scenes inspired by the Botanical Gardens. Fritz Raiser is a watercolorist from Buffalo and has works displayed in the permanent collection of Roswell Park Institute and many private and corporate collections in the US, Canada, and England. The exhibit comes at the warm welcome of the spring season as the Botanical Gardens prepares to present its popular annual Spring Flower Exhibit, which will be open April 4 through April 28. 

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

About Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that welcomes all to enjoy its living plant collections, breathtaking conservatory, and educational programming. Opened in 1900, the Botanical Gardens is located within a park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Support for the organization is provided by public funds from Erie County; the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; members; donors; and friends. 

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Contact: Shaunna Mooney| 716.827.1584 ext. 219 | smooney@buffalogardens.com