Main Street Arts

Main Street Arts A 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization and art gallery located in Clifton Springs, New York.
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Main Street Arts is a nonprofit arts organization and art gallery specializing in showcasing contemporary art and fine craft from emerging and established Upstate New York artists. Located in the historic, picturesque village of Clifton Springs, NY, the 3,600-square-foot space has two floors offering exhibitions, workshops, youth programs, and an art resource library. The exhibition calendar incl

udes thematic invitationals, national juried competitions, and solo exhibitions. In addition to rotating exhibitions the gallery has a shop featuring jewelry, ceramics, prints, and more by a variety of local and regional artists. Workshops, artist demos, documentary film screenings, and other events are offered on a monthly basis.

Check out these SWEET events coming soon to MSA!Register online at: www.mainstreetartsCS.org or by phone at 315-462-0210
09/02/2026

Check out these SWEET events coming soon to MSA!

Register online at: www.mainstreetartsCS.org or by phone at 315-462-0210

We received several unique, high-quality visual arts & art history-related donations recently! It is now available in o...
09/01/2026

We received several unique, high-quality visual arts & art history-related donations recently! It is now available in our ARL room on floor 2 of Main Street Arts.

📚📚📚 The first - lovingly donated by: John. Thank you! ❤❤❤

The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity 1869-1939, edited by Jonathan D. Katz and Johnny Willis. Publisher: Monacelli Press.

Phaidon summarizes this book of 22-essays and supportive artwork, well:
"A groundbreaking, global survey of q***r art, featuring more than 300 artworks made following the introduction of the term ‘homosexual’ in 1869."

"An unprecedented and historic new book, The First Homosexuals traces the evolution of the homosexual identity through an archive of more than 300 paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, photographs, and film stills from around the world – many presented in a q***r, global, and colonial context for the first time. Accompanying the works are twenty-two original, insightful essays by leading experts in art and q***r history, each focusing on one geographical region – from Japan to Australia to the Indigenous populations of South America. Ranging from well-known masterpieces to works by unknown artists and pieces rarely considered in the context of sexuality, The First Homosexuals offers a stunning and illuminating look at the first self-consciously q***r art. The book accompanies a groundbreaking exhibition of the same name presented at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago."

You can buy a copy yourself here, from Phaidon: https://www.phaidon.com/en-us/products/the-first-homosexuals-the-birth-of-a-new-identity-1869-1939?srsltid=AfmBOorXlwgugQX0m-_Nx9k3ToRW_yrKeJASxhrYTyxNWkYdPmB7R3_v

Main Street Arts has received a $7,500 grant through the 2026 Small Business Recovery Grant funded by the Federal Home L...
08/31/2026

Main Street Arts has received a $7,500 grant through the 2026 Small Business Recovery Grant funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union led the grant application process.

Our mission is: To promote the work of artists with ties to our region; to foster art education and encourage the creation of art; and to develop community awareness regarding the arts through community outreach and relationship building.

Executive Director and Curator, Heather Olson explains, “So much of what our organization does through exhibitions, classes, and events supports both the local and regional community, including-working artists and arts educators. Our facility offers (4) four visual arts exhibition spaces, a nearly 2,000 volume art resource library, classroom, kiln room, and a gallery shop where artists can display and sell their work. We offer low-cost and free classes supporting ages 5-95+. In 2025, MSA conducted 35 youth programs for 126 participants; welcomed more than 3,230 community members to our gallery; and showcased artwork by 479 artists, predominantly from the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions. ”

“As a not for profit organization our finances rely upon public and private grants and donations. The purchase of original artwork being shown through our exhibitions as well as registration and attendance at classes and events also help to support our bottom line. With the many complexities and divides happening in the world today, Main Street Arts is committed to offering rich visual arts, art history, and arts education-based experiences. We achieve this through our free, year-round exhibitions, art resource library and meeting space, and low and no cost classes and events. For us community-building through the arts is a reality because of generous donations and grants. We are so grateful to receive a 2026 Small Business Recovery Grant funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York facilitated by Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union and their thoughtful, professional, and committed staff.”

Have you heard about our NEW ONLINE VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS? Horse Power is now up and you can view (or purchase) work from...
08/30/2026

Have you heard about our NEW ONLINE VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS?

Horse Power is now up and you can view (or purchase) work from this recent exhibition! So if you didn't make it to this exhibition, or make it back in time before it closed to see it twice...

Here's the link to do just that:
https://reddotvirtual.com/dashboard/gallery

The 6th Annual Plein Air Event & Exhibition in Clifton Springs opens in under 2 weeks!Saturday, September 12th come out ...
08/29/2026

The 6th Annual Plein Air Event & Exhibition in Clifton Springs opens in under 2 weeks!
Saturday, September 12th come out and watch these spectacular artists paint the local landscape from 9am-1pm, then view the exhibition opening from 3-6pm.

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th...
08/28/2026

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th (closes @ 3pm that day).

June Szabo has a 3-D work featured in this show called 'Erie - Lyons to Clyde'.

About this work: Erie - Lyons to Clyde is Butternut wood (sculpture)
40" x 33" x 4"
2020

Artist Statement:
Layers of wood give my thoughts depth and dimension and bring to mind growth in nature and the layers of our earth. With this process the physical events that create each landscape are compared to the building of the human story as one participates in the dance of life.

Biographical Statement:
Szabo has always made objects; when she was young, they were ephemeral. Permanence came with the discovery of needles and thread, hammer and nails. Making art is how Szabo responds to what is happening in the world, to our earth, and with each other.

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th...
08/27/2026

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th (closes @ 3pm that day).

Linda Starkweather (Naples, NY) has a 2-D Mixed Media work featured in this show...

'Circling the Unknown' is Mixed Media on paper
11.5" x 11.5". (Frame 15"x15")
2026

Artist Statement:
Concealment is revelation’s twin. My life as an artist is guided by the process of discovering that which hides beneath the surface, exploring the subconscious, experimenting with suggestions in a way that gives enough hints to ignite imagination. Honoring play and celebrating the delight of both accident and mistake.

Biographical Statement:
Linda Starkweather is a versatile artist working in several mediums including ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, painting, woodworking and as a theatre artist. Having taught theatre at the high school and college level, Linda has designed, acted, written, produced and directed for several theaters in New York, Florida and Michigan.

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th...
08/26/2026

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th (closes @ 3pm that day).

Dejan Pejovic has 4 ceramic works featured in this show called 'A Gathering of Layerings (1-4)'.

About this work:
'A Gathering of Layerings' is Ceramic
+/- 16"x20" (priced separately)
2026

Artist Statement (taken from his website)
The language of sculpture is form. So what's the need to write? We live in both form and language. Words have a place - though they should not be used to describe or explain but rather to reveal. For instance, if I were to title a figurative work, or an abstract one, "Landscape", it would be using a word to reveal something about my subject, but it might also limit the work to a single association. If I overuse language, then the viewer could well visualize the description rather than respond to the work itself, like in the fable of The Emperor's New Clothes...Probably I've already said too much...

Biographical Statement:
Dejan has worked with most materials over the years, figuratively and abstractly. Lately it's been ceramics and wood. He teaches sculpture and drawing at the Memorial Art gallery.

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th...
08/26/2026

Today we are featuring work from our Main Gallery exhibition: Layered Processes which runs through Saturday, August 29th (closes @ 3pm that day).

Julie Herman has two distinctive works featured in this show...

'Untitled 1' is a ceramic piece
Clay and glaze
4"x9"
2026

'Untitled 2' is a cyanotype photograph/photographic process
Paper, cyanotype chemicals, spices, Saran Wrap, dish soap, plants
9"x12"
framed 10"x13"
2024

Artist Statement:
My work is focused on the joy of discovery, on recentering play and experimentation while creating. I enjoy combining different mediums in order to explore new possibilities.

Biographical Statement:
Julie Herman is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Central New York.

So there's just ONE MORE ARTIST REGISTRATION SPACE LEFT for this year's Plein Air Event on 9/12/26. If you are an artis...
08/25/2026

So there's just ONE MORE ARTIST REGISTRATION SPACE LEFT for this year's Plein Air Event on 9/12/26. If you are an artist who wants to participate--you'll want to register ASAP!

(Artwork completed at the 2025 event by Artist & Instructor, Jennifer Gibson )

Address

20 W Main Street
Clifton Springs, NY
14432

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+13154620210

Website

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