First came Burchfield Park and the Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center. Just a few years ago, we built on the legacy left behind by the world-renowned artist and his family by establishing the Charles Burchfield Gardenville District, a walkable arts-tourism corridor in our town made up of several artistic, historic and educational destinations. And then came BurchFest, a now annual event that will take place this year on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Now in its third year, BurchFest happens at multiple locations throughout the town. Here’s what you can expect at BurchFest 2025:
Charles Burchfield Home & Studio, 3574 Clinton Street
Hours: 11-3
Tour the recently renovated studio of Charles Burchfield, as well as a small portion of the home where he once lived and worked. Plus, multiple prints of the works of Charles Burchfield will be on display for viewing.
Charles Burchfield Nature & Art Center & Burchfield Park, 2001 Union Road
Hours: BNAC 12-3, park open dawn until dusk
The Nature & Art Center and surrounding park have several BurchFest offerings planned:
• Theme: Charles Burchfield – The Naturalist. Emphasis on the elements of nature that Charles Burchfield loved and explored throughout his life.
• Environmental Room: Various nature displays from birds and bugs to taxidermy, invasive species, recycling and more.
• Burchfield Room: The story of Charles Burchfield as a painter, husband, father and member of our community.
• History Room: Displays reflecting Old Gardenville and the Seneca Nation.
• Art Gallery: A display by People Inc. artists.
• Burchfield Park: Burchfield placards throughout the park and a Burchfield buffalo on the patio.
• Explore Room: A variety of hands-on activities for kids.
• Conference Room: Community art project.
• Classroom: Visitors can participate in nature-centered crafts using watercolors.
Christian Metz House, 12 School Street
Hours: 10-3
West Seneca’s oldest building will host an informal open house. The first-floor flooring within the historic building was recently restored using yellow pine boards and square-headed nails reflective of the time period during which the Metz House was built. Multiple historic pieces are also on display.
Fourteen Holy Helpers Church, 1345 Indian Church Road
Hours: 11-3
Fourteen Holy Helpers Church will be open for visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. Volunteers will give tours of the church and will answer any questions about the history and artifacts on display. Additionally, their parking lot will be available for people coming to the Gardenville area for BurchFest. The West Seneca Town Band will also offer a BurchFest performance from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Martha Burchfield Richter Atrium, 1300 Union Road
Hours: 10-4
“Watercolors and Drawings by Martha Burchfield Richter: Works from the Schoene Family” will be on display during BurchFest and through September. This exhibition of works by Charles Burchfield’s daughter Martha connects her watercolor paintings of nature with related drawings and is guest curated by Dr. Gerald Mead.
Painting With A Twist, 1054 Union Road
Hours: 1 & 6 p.m.
Burchfield-inspired painting sessions! An all-ages class will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m., while an adult class (18+) will run from 6 to 8 p.m. All materials are included for these fun and engaging classes. Fees apply. Please contact the venue to reserve a seat.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3512 Clinton Street
Hours: 10-3
Local artists, crafters and creative people will participate in a vendor fair, both inside and on the lawn. Plus, food trucks and additional parking for BurchFest attendees.
West Seneca Art Society
Multiple locations and hours
Artists Pat Wolek and Debbie Terzian will be teaching a class on how to design a Burchfield-inspired fidget spinner. This class will take place in the Makerspace area within the West Seneca Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Suitable age range for this class is 4 to 10 years old. Please call the library at (716) 674-2928 or stop in to register. Additionally, plein air artists from the West Seneca Art Society and other organizations will be on the Burchfield Nature & Art Center grounds and Buffalo Creek. The Art Society will also have a greeter stationed near the parking lot with information about the BurchFest event.
West Seneca Public Library, 1300 Union Road
Hours: 10-4
As mentioned above, the West Seneca Art Society will be running a program in the library’s Makerspace area from 10:30 a.m. to noon for kids ages 4 to 10 where they will be designing a fidget spinner with Charles Burchfield-inspired designs that they will get to take home after the program. At 11 a.m., the large community room will feature a presentation — Another Look at Charles Burchfield: Stories, Memories and Observations of Charles Burchfield From His Lifelong Neighbors — with Jackie and Joan Albarella. Q&A to follow. Space will be limited and registration is required. Please call the library at (716) 674-2928 or stop in to register for both programs.
West Seneca Town Band, Fourteen Holy Helpers Church, 1345 Indian Church Road
Hours: 1:30-2:30
The West Seneca Town Band will offer a BurchFest performance at Fourteen Holy Helpers Church from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Depending on the weather, the church has both an indoor and outdoor venue.
West Seneca Youth & Recreation Department, 1300 Union Road
Hours: 10-2
Celebrate the seasons with art and unleash your creativity! Decorate a tree to represent the four seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter. Use crayons, markers, paint or even recycled materials to bring your vision to life. Take your artwork home as a memento or leave it on display in the Community Center & Library hallway for all to admire through early October.
WNY Federal Credit Union, 1937 Union Road
Hours: 12-4
The credit union will showcase a special art exhibit during BurchFest. Details to come. Additional parking will also be available.
For more information on BurchFest and The Charles Burchfield Gardenville District, please visit the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce website at westseneca.org. This event is sponsored, in part, by Western New York Federal Credit Union and Kloc’s Grove.
