Burchfield Penney Art Center

Burchfield Penney Art Center is a renowned art museum located on the campus of Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York, dedicated to promoting the art and artists of Western New York, including Charles Burchfield, Martha Visser't Hooft, and Virginia Cuthbert. The museum's collection and exhibitions showcase a wide range of artistic styles and mediums, from Abstract Expressionism to Folk Art, featuring works by artists such as Robert Blair, Ralph Fasanella, and Jacob Lawrence. With a strong focus on community engagement, the Burchfield Penney Art Center collaborates with institutions like the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center to promote the arts in Western New York. The museum's programming also highlights the region's rich cultural heritage, including the works of Hudson River School artists like Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church.

● History

The Burchfield Penney Art Center was established in 1964 as the Charles Burchfield Center at Buffalo State College, with a mission to collect, exhibit, and interpret the art of Charles Burchfield, a prominent American watercolor painter. Over the years, the museum has expanded its scope to include a diverse range of artists from Western New York, such as Virginia Cuthbert, Martha Visser't Hooft, and Robert Longo. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art, and National Gallery of Art, to bring significant exhibitions to Buffalo, New York, featuring artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and Grant Wood. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has also worked with local organizations, such as the Buffalo Arts Commission and Arts Council for Western New York, to promote the arts and support local artists, including Sylvia Rosen, Charles Clough, and Nancy Weekly.

● Collections

The Burchfield Penney Art Center's collection comprises over 7,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs, created by artists from Western New York, such as Charles Burchfield, Martha Visser't Hooft, and Robert Blair. The collection also features works by notable artists like Thomas Hart Benton, John Sloan, and Stuart Davis, as well as Folk Art and Naive Art pieces by artists like Horace Pippin and Anna Mary Robertson Moses. The museum's collection is particularly strong in American Modernism, with works by artists such as Milton Avery, Arthur Dove, and John Marin. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has also acquired works by contemporary artists, including Kiki Smith, Eric Fischl, and Cindy Sherman, through donations and purchases from institutions like the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

● Exhibitions

The Burchfield Penney Art Center presents a diverse range of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its permanent collection, as well as loans from other institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Recent exhibitions have included retrospectives on artists like Charles Burchfield, Martha Visser't Hooft, and Robert Longo, as well as group shows on topics like Abstract Expressionism and Feminist Art, featuring artists like Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, and Faith Ringgold. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on Western New York's rich cultural heritage, including shows on the Hudson River School and the Arts and Crafts Movement, featuring works by artists like Thomas Cole and Elbert Hubbard. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has collaborated with other institutions, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, to bring significant exhibitions to Buffalo, New York, featuring artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and René Magritte.

● Education and Programs

The Burchfield Penney Art Center offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures, in collaboration with institutions like the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and the University at Buffalo. The museum's education programs focus on promoting an understanding and appreciation of the art and artists of Western New York, as well as providing opportunities for visitors to engage with the museum's collection and exhibitions. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has also developed partnerships with local schools and community organizations, such as the Buffalo Public Schools and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, to provide arts education and outreach programs, featuring artists like Sylvia Rosen and Charles Clough. The museum's programs have been supported by grants from institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.

● Building and Architecture

The Burchfield Penney Art Center is located in a building designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, which opened in 1994 on the campus of Buffalo State College. The building features a unique design that incorporates natural light and provides flexible exhibition spaces, allowing the museum to showcase a wide range of artistic styles and mediums. The museum's building has been recognized for its architectural excellence, receiving awards from institutions like the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Burchfield Penney Art Center has also undergone renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2013 that added new exhibition spaces and improved the museum's facilities, with support from institutions like the Buffalo and Erie County Regional Development Corporation and the New York State Department of Economic Development. The museum's building is situated in a beautiful park-like setting, surrounded by the Buffalo State College campus and the Delaware Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.