The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m., longtime museum supporter and celebrated area watercolorist Rita Argen Auerbach will continue her tradition of teaching a local "celebrity" the fine art of watercolor painting to benefit the Burchfield-Penney's annual Gala and Auction. This year we are thrilled to have one of Buffalo's most visionary business and philanthropic leaders, Howard Zemsky, as our celebrity artist.
As with years past, an area landmark is the theme of the painting—in this case, Buffalo's Darwin D. Martin House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The watercolor lesson will take place on the northeast corner of the Martin House lawn on Jewett Parkway in Buffalo. Darwin Martin was an executive of the Larkin Soap Company, headquartered in Buffalo at the turn of the last century, and this year’s gala will be held at the LCo. Building at Exchange—formerly known as the Larkin Building—that once served as the headquarters of the Larkin Soap Company. It has been wonderfully restored by Zemsky and partners into a thriving and exciting business hub in downtown Buffalo.
By contributing his time and creativity, Zemsky joins a growing list of Ms. Auerbach’s "celebrity students", including JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Dr. Muriel Howard, President of Buffalo State College. The Martin House painting will be featured in the live auction of works of art by distinguished Western New York artists—the highlight of the Gala and Auction, the Burchfield-Penney’s major fundraising event each year. The Gala and Auction will take place on Saturday, September 24. This year's honorary chair is Rosemary Esty, and the theme is "In the Arts and Crafts Tradition," celebrating the region's Roycroft legacy.
"The Burchfield-Penney relies on the generosity, talent, and creative spirit of the artists and people in Western New York to make our annual gala a success—enabling the museum to provide high quality exhibitions, programs, and services to people throughout our community—and we are grateful for their time and energy, said Ted Pietrzak, director of the Burchfield-Penney."
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, contact the Burchfield-Penney Art Center at 716 878 6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney’s members and supporters.