The Can’t-Miss List for Upstate Art Weekend
Every summer, Upstate Art Weekend transforms the Hudson Valley and Catskills into one big open-air gallery. With exhibits tucked into barns, performances in meadows, and studios opening their doors, it’s the perfect excuse to hit the road and see what’s blooming beyond the city. Let this be your guide to the region’s most compelling creative moments.
Foreland Open Studios
📍111 Water St, Catskill, NY
Foreland’s annual Open Studios is a highlight of the weekend, with three buildings full of working artists inviting you into their creative worlds. Meet painters, sculptors, and makers where the magic actually happens. Grab a coffee from Willow located in the building and spend a few hours wandering.
Harold Stevenson Art Omi
📍405 County Route 22, Ghent, NY
Less Real Than My Routine Fantasy is a sweeping survey of works by Harold Stevenson, best known for his bold explorations of masculinity, beauty, and queer identity. Spanning decades of his practice, the show invites viewers into a deeply personal and often provocative world. Set within the striking architecture of Art Omi‘s gallery, it’s one of the weekend’s most compelling solo exhibitions.
Macedonia Institute x Ten Barn Farm
📍366 Goff Rd, Ghent, NY
Macedonia Institute brings its curatorial edge to Ten Barn Farm, pairing contemporary works with wide-open skies and rolling pastures. The space itself blurs the line between installation and landscape. It’s a thoughtfully layered show in a setting that begs you to slow down and take it all in.
The Campus
📍60 Water St, Catskill, NY
Just down the road from Foreland, The Campus hosts a series of rotating exhibitions across several artist-run spaces. It’s experimental, engaging, and packed with emerging talent. Definitely worth a detour (or a deep dive).
Mary MacGill Sculptural Jewelry Exhibit
📍112 Partition St, Saugerties, NY
Jewelry becomes sculpture in this special exhibit at Mary MacGill’s sunlit studio. Known for her organic forms and delicate goldwork, MacGill presents new pieces that blur the line between adornment and art object. A must-see for design lovers.
Noisemakers Dance Party at Assembly
📍236 Wall St, Kingston, NY
Noisemakers Dance Party is the official kickoff event for Upstate Art Weekend, a celebratory evening that doubles as a fundraiser for abortion access. With beats from Andy Pry of Tiki Disco and Lovetempo (Mattie Safer of Poolside / The Rapture), the vibe is electric and inclusive. It’s the perfect way to dance into the weekend and show some love for a cause, 100 % of proceeds benefit reproductive justice.
Art21 Screening + Artist Talk at Catskill Art Space
📍48 Main St, Livingston Manor, NY
Settle in for a special screening by Art21, showcasing followed by short documentary films on the artistic practices of James Turrell and Arlene Shechet, both of whose work will be on view at CAS. After there will be artist talk and community conversation. The space is intimate and the programming always sharp. A great way to connect with the ideas behind the work and the people making it.
Art Fair at Woodstock School of Art
📍2470 NY-212, Woodstock, NY
This juried art fair brings together regional talent across mediums, all set against the historic backdrop of the Woodstock School of Art. Browse paintings, prints, sculpture, and more while mingling with artists on site. It’s casual, community-driven, and full of fresh finds.
Upstate Art Weekend offers something for every kind of art lover, from immersive installations and intimate screenings to lively dance parties and open studios. Whether you’re chasing inspiration or just looking to soak in the creative energy, these events invite you to experience the region in a fresh, vibrant way. Plan your route, gather your crew, and get ready to dive deep into a weekend where art is everywhere you turn. Book a Red Cottage getaway and turn your art-filled weekend into a true retreat.
