From public art projects to open studios and galleries, the sixth annual New York art event promises to impress and inspire
Upstate Art Weekend 2025 Expands to Include Over 155 Participants
From public art projects to open studios and galleries, the sixth annual New York art event promises to impress and inspire
Whether you’re a culture-hungry tourist or a creatively-curious local, art lovers are in for a huge chance to explore from 17 to 21 July with the sixth annual UPSTATE ART WEEKEND (UAW), highlighting art in New York’s Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains regions. Helen Toomer founded UAW in 2020 as a way to connect people and artists during the pandemic—while highlighting the area’s natural beauty—and it’s exponentially grown since. What started out as a two-day event with 23 organizations has expanded into a five-day art extravaganza with 155+ participants highlighting the arts in 10 counties north of New York City.
This year’s UPSTATE ART WEEKEND covers a little bit of everything: participants include museums like Dia:Beacon, Magazzino Italian Art and Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, cultural centers like Unison Arts and Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, local art galleries like Beacon’s Distortion Society and Andes’ Hawk and Hive, plus outdoor exhibits at Storm King Art Center and Manitoga, multi-purpose spaces, architectural sites and more. A lot more.
“I love discovering different things during Upstate Art Weekend, whether it’s a new project organized by local artists, or work by a new artist at an institution or gallery I already know,” says Toomer. The beauty of this long, arts-fueled weekend is that “it’s full of surprises” and there’s truly “something for everyone.”
The big weekend officially kicks off on Friday, 17 July at the NOISEMAKERS Dance Party and Noise for Now fundraiser at Assembly in Kingston featuring music by Andy Pry of TIKI DISCO and Mattie Safer of Poolside and The Rapture. If you show up early, be sure to stop by upbringing, a gallery participant and UPSTATE ART WEEKEND’s headquarters; they’re hosting a pre-party conveniently located in the same building as Assembly.
If meeting artists in person is more your vibe, upstate open studios is a new addition this year. Over 185 artists are opening their studio doors on Saturday and Sunday as part of UAW. Get an inspiring glimpse behind the scenes and the potential opportunity to buy an original piece of artwork directly from a participating artist.
Be sure to download the official UAW Map, which “is key for planning your very own Upstate Art Weekend adventures as it has all program information, location and hours—plus you can save and customize your own map and itinerary,” says Toomer. And if you don’t have time to see everything over the five days, most of the participating venues are open for experiencing art throughout the year. See you upstate!
UPSTATE ART WEEKEND runs Friday, 17 July to Monday, 21 July in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions of New York.
