First Friday Rochester

10/10/2026

“Not For Sale” is something special to celebrate the opening of The Fischer Gallery at The Yards and our 15th year serving the arts community of Greater Rochester. This inaugural exhibition has invited artists to share their favorite pieces—works they have chosen to keep for themselves (or perhaps pieces they might be willing to part with for the right price). The exhibit offers a glimpse into the personal side of the artists’ practices and the stories behind the work they choose to hold onto.

“Not For Sale” is the first exhibit in this new art space. The addition of The Fischer Gallery isn’t just about adding another room to The Yards facilities—it’s about creating more opportunities for our community. Co-Directors Jim Fischer and Kristina Kaiser, will be creating a gallery and flexible workspace focused on beautiful 2D exhibitions, photography, workshops, and small gatherings.

Join us on First Friday, November 6th, from 6–9 pm, for this special opening and to celebrate the anniversary of The Yard’s 15th year in operation. The Fischer Gallery at the Yards is located at 50–52 Public Market Way, Rochester.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

10/09/2026

Curated by local artist and RIT alum Unique Fair, All of Us II at RIT City Art Space features a select group of emerging artists with roots in the city of Rochester, NY, and is inspired by the historical efforts of artists like Luvon Sheppard, whose Allofus Workshop became a center for creative collaboration in Rochester during the 1970s.

For the second addition of the All of Us exhibition, Fair has brought together six emerging women artists whose work explores confrontations with idealized, constructed and multiple selves: Jillian Hagadorn, Haley Indorato, Erin Nesmith, Lily Rice, Damali Underwood, and Brittany Williams. Open from 6-9pm on First Friday, November 6.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

10/08/2026

Visit Path Forward Counseling on November 6, from 4:30-6:30pm for a new art show featuring their November artist in residence, Tim Cerqua!

Tim has a BFA in Medical Illustration from RIT, and an MAT in Visual Art from The Sage Graduate School. He currently works in the human services field. In his free time he pursues his art making practice. Tim’s work is mixed media, with an emphasis on drawing and painting. The primary inspirations for his creative process are natural history, spiritual mythologies, and the written word.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

10/08/2026

Join Wicked Reserve Dispensary on November 6 from 4-8pm for another Canvas and Cannabis Event! This month's featured artist is Sheryl Smith.

Sheryl’s artist philosophy is “Get out of your own back yard and see the world, other peoples, other ideas, and ways of life!” Sheryl’s photos are from 1987 when she traveled for a year to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The prints in this exhibit are made from Kodak Kodachrome positives, printed on heavy rag paper, and framed with museum glass.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

10/08/2026

You are invited to Colleen Buzzard Studio this upcoming November 6 from 6-9pm for Joe Painter's Art Sale.

Joe Painter works with photographs, government records, scientific images, and other things that were originally meant to prove or explain something. Some of the photographs are his own, made while working for the U.S. government and later absorbed into official archives and systems of distribution. He runs these materials through the printer until information disappears, colors shift, and the image starts arguing with its own caption.

Painter’s a printer. The work asks how much we supply ourselves once the evidence starts to break down.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

09/29/2026

Another month, another (amazing) First Friday - with a completely new line up of events and venues! One of our favorite parts of First Friday is how much it varies each month. The list of venues is always changing, and there's always an opportunity to meet new artists.

Special welcome to the newest First Friday venues hosting their first events this month!
• The BoxArtists Group, the newest large studio building (open 4-8pm to facilitate visitors stopping by early on their way downtown!). Over a dozen artists will be opening their doors!

• Laura Leigh Creations in the Village Gate (open 6-9pm) - a retail shop and creative studio, you'll be able to meet the artists, peruse art to purchase, and make and take your own stained-glass mosaic magnet!

Plan your route at firstfridayrochester.org!

Open venues:
Aldaskeller W**e Co.
AltBar
Anderson Alley Artists
Behind the Glass Gallery
The BoxArtists Group
instagram.com/caroldomenicosstudio312
Clocktower Gallery
Colleen Buzzard Studio 401
COMP Studios
Flower City Arts Center
Gallery 4-8
Happy Earth Tea
Image City Photography Gallery
Judy & Peter Gohringer Studio 300
Laura Leigh Creations
Laurentide Clay
Lumiere
Lynne Feldman Studio 304
Pittsford Fine Art
Rainbow Cammo
The Refinery
RIT City Art Space
Rochester Contemporary Art Center
Rochester Fine Art Market
RoCo Upstairs
Stony Point Arts Studio & Gallery
Ugly Duck Coffee
Wicked Reserve Dispensary
The Yards

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

The BoxArtists Group is a new collective of established fine artists and craftspeople situated in a great new location at
100 Boxart St. We are a diverse group that work in many different mediums. Here you will find ceramists, crafters, fabric and costume designers, glass & enamel artists, painters, woodworkers, quilters, and more. Stop by on First Friday from 4-8pm and meet the artists in their own workspace.

Open Studios:
Little Sparrow Ceramics, Studio 223
Ceramic work by Margaret Abell

Rose VanTyne, Rotondi Creations Studio #200
We offer pottery classes and workshops as well as a gallery store.

Standfast Furniture & Design, Suite #269
Fine and folk woodwork

Gardanne Beads, Studio #256
Glass and enamel jewelry and components.

InMyStudio263
Marlene Canavan’s handmade eclectic and mixed media artwork.

Lotsofsaras Studio #125
Sara’s studio is a creative space filled with colorful watercolor paintings.

theStudio #209
We teach pottery and hand building classes. We will be hosting Empty Bowls Dinner on First Friday.

Paul Nugent Studio, #206
Painting and drawing.

Quilting with Margaret, Studio #265
A modern quilt shop with over 1000 bolts of cotton fabric, oilcloth and canvas plus patterns notions and pre-cuts.

Julie Bero-Emerson Fine Artist, Studio #215
Watercolors, hand-painted ceramics, and workshops.

Woodtech NY LLC, Studio #106 & 108
Kitchen & bathroom remodeling & restoration; Custom woodwork & custom projects; Producer of pure Artisan olive oil from Calabria, Italy.

Lisa Zaccour Fine Art, Studio #243
I paint still life, pet portraits, and some landscapes in a traditional, realistic manner in oil.

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

09/29/2026

“Reimagine” at Stony Point Arts Studio & Gallery is one of a kind exhibit featuring artworks from the Fairport Plein Air Festival.

Amazing works in a variety of styles and mediums as artists captured the beauty and bustle of Fairport. All artworks were created in a 4 hour block of time!

This is a must see for lovers of local art and plein air. Open from 4-8pm on First Friday, October 2!

Learn more about this event and others at firstfridayrochester.org

09/28/2026

The Anderson Alley Artists Old Shoe Factory turned artists’ community features amazing and unique working studios and exhibits! Gifts for others or yourself! Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Hand Painted Silks, Jewelry, Glass, Weaving & Much More! 4 Floors plus Payton Violins. (Elevator assistance available, East End). Stop by from 6-9pm on First Friday, October 2.

Open Studios:
Carol Domenico’s Studio 312
Only TREATS this October @ Studio 312. Cool Costumes, Red Fern refreshments and Ricardo on Brazilian Drums.

Colleen Buzzard Studio
Jim Mott: B-sides, outtakes & love songs, a selective retrospective

Gallery 4-8
Elisa Root “Retrospect”

Judy & Peter Gohringer Studio 300
Contemporary Paintings and Sculpture

Kerina Mangiaracina, Suite 204
Discover the vibrant world of Kerina Mangiaracina’s art! Visit Suite 204 to experience her unique creations, ranging from captivating paintings to innovative mixed media pieces. Chat with the artist, learn about her creative process, and find the perfect artwork or a handcrafted gift to take home. Sign up for one of the many classes in Stained Glass, Printmaking, Bookmaking or Wire Wrapping classes.

Judy Rosenberg Ceramics, Studio 308
My pieces are artistic and functional, all food safe and hand built.

Lynne Feldman Studio 304
Painting, Assemblage, Spirit Works, Serigraphs, Gifts

Jan Hewitt Towsley, Studio 202
Contemporary & Traditional Weaving and Textile Art