Seeing Art at ArtsFest

ArtsFest 2026 kicks off Thursday, October 15 and runs through Sunday, October 18 with plenty of opportunities to encounter the visual arts -- from painting and drawing to sculpture and photography – in artists’ studios and galleries as well as some unexpected places. (For the complete ArtsFest calendar go to www.newrochellearts.org).

Open Artists’ Studios

Open Artists Studios are at the heart of ArtsFest, which was created to shine a light on the artists living in our community -- creating exciting work right here at home. What makes visiting an artist's studio different than seeing their work in a gallery is the chance to meet the artist in their work space and learn first hand about their process. Check the ArtsFest calendar for hours, addresses and parking information for each studio location.

A good place to start is with a visit to Fiona Agababian Studio at Atelier44 in the heart of downtown (44 Westchester Place, NR; 914-262-3191; Instagram: @fionaags; Website: www.fionaags.com) Fiona Agababian’smixed media paintings on canvas work are inspired by the people and places in her life, often incorporating bold brushstrokes and dynamic mark-making. For ArtsFest visitors can observe her live painting and printmaking. There will be printed shirts, tote bags, prints, and paintings for sale.

Located on a side street in Pelham Highbrook Studios (222 Highbrook Ave North, Pelham; 914-843- 8808; @highbrookstudiosny ) has been home to a dynamic artists collective for several years. Visit this multi-level studio to meet multiple artists who will be showing and selling their work. There will also be home-made pastries for sale.

Acupuncture Unlimited (38 Lakeside Dr., NR; 914-356-2327; Acupuncture.Ultd@gmail.com ) is the studio of Amelia E. Jones L.Ac., whose art is informed by her experience as a board certified acupuncturist and herbologist with years of healing experience. She is opening her studio for a family-friendly event featuring artist market, open mic, literary pavilion and more.

Artists Barry Mason and Emlyn Tavares both have studio space at an industrial building in Mt. Vernon. (Extra Space Storage Building, 320 Washington Street, Mt. Vernon). 914-649-2399;www.barrymasonart.com) Barry Mason (914-649-2399;www.barrymasonart.com) says he creates his abstract paintings on canvases that he shapes, stretches and sculpts so that the final piece appears to float in the air as opposed to being positioned on the wall. Stop by to meet Barry, tour his space and view artworks. All ages are welcome. Emlyn Tavares ( 347-228-6509; emlyntaveras.com ) is an artist and educator whose work is a direct response to the environment, culture, and social climate. She will be available for a tour of studio space, exhibition of works and discussion of installations and mixed media process. Appropriate for all ages.

Michael Cammer (9 Vaughn Ave. NR; 914-309-3270; www.microscopynotes.com ) is an artist and research scientist with a studio in his home. Visit to view new drawings created since ArtsFest 2025.

Galleries and Exhibits

See art on exhibit at these seven gallery spaces during ArtsFest (consult the ArtsFest calendar for days and times).

Did you know the New Rochelle Council on the Arts has its own gallery inside City Hall? “Sight Line” is on exhibit at NRCA’s Rotunda Gallery (515 North Ave., NR, www.newrochellearts.org)A sight line is defined as “The imaginary straight pathways of vision that lead from a person’s eyes to a target object, focal point, or view.” When we look at a work of art are we merely seeing what the artist saw, or is there more to discover? Sight Line explores that question in an exciting group exhibit of mixed media works by 11 artists.

At the Vanda Gallery in the heart of downtown New Rochelle (379 Huguenot St., NR; 917-547-5602; www.vandagallery.com)“In the Making: A Solo Exhibition by Zahra Jlayer” provides a retrospective look at the work of the owner: Gallerist and artist Zahra Jlayer presents a new body of work in which fluid paintings receive further layers: paint, newspaper, gold leaf, text, numbers, and images. Beneath those materials sit other layers: culture, memory, history, philosophy, and the contradictions of being human.

The venerable Lumen Winter Gallery at the New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, NR,914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org) was named for a former President of the New Rochelle Art Association so it is fitting that the group’s 110th Open Juried Show occupies the gallery. The exhibit features artwork in 7 categories: Oil/Acrylic, Water Media, Sculpture/Fine Craft, Photography, Mixed Media, Graphic/Pastels, Digital Art.

“Beneath the Visible” at the Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham; (914) 738-2525; www.pelhamartcenter.org ) explores nature as a dynamic process of growth, transformation and renewal, featuring six artists whose practices engage with the natural world not simply as image but as material, surface, time and change.

“Vivid Views” at the JCC Mid-Westchester (999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale; JCCMW.org ) is a collection of work by local artist Lori Kapner Hosp that mirrors the organization’s programs and community. The paintings are organized into three central ideas: Rooted, Connected, and Inspired.

At the Palmer Gallery (1947 Palmer Ave., Larchmont, 914) 834-3627; www.palmerartny.com) the focus is “Surrealism” with a collection of Joan Miro lithographs on exhibit. And check out the “Best of Mamaroneck Artists Guild” at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild gallery (1987 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont; 914-834-1117). Founded in 1953, this artists’ cooperative features works by member artists from all over Westchester County.

Art in Unexpected Spaces

For ArtsFest view installations of art in unexpected spaces: Discover new artists in places you wouldn’t expect to find fine art!

For example, The Gentleman’s Lab is more than a barber shop, it offers advanced grooming and exceptional spa care for the modern gent – and for ArtsFest it’s also a gallery space. Visit their two locations ( 584 A North Ave., 914-384-8662and 1291 North Ave.; 914-309-8600; https://www.thegentlemanslab.com) to view “Ordinary Magic,” works by photographer and author/illustrator Marc Deliz and “Fragments of Light” by glass artist Gina Kingsley.

Several restaurants are putting art on the menu. At Sushi by Bou (40 Westchester Pl., NR; 888-670-5996; sushibybou.com) an exhibit of work by local artists will be featured in the gallery space outside the restaurant, an intimate omakase hideaway where bold flavors meet unforgettable experiences.

R Café & Tea (302 Huguenot Street, NR; 914-358-1841, @rcafeandteaboutique) is known for its exquisite coffee, hand-blended teas and the finest pastries, and on Saturday, October 17^th it will feature artwork by Fiona Agababian, as well as local handmade items for sale. Agababian’s mixed media paintings on canvas work are inspired by the people and places in her life, often incorporating bold brushstrokes and dynamic mark-making.

And it’s no surprise that the artist-owned restaurant Alvin & Friends (14 Memorial Hwy., NR; 914-654-6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com) also functions as an art gallery featuring large scale oil paintings by Alvin Clayton. His engaging works infused with a Caribbean-inspired color palette complement the restaurant’s menu of Southern and Caribbean favorites.

On Saturday, October 17th the temporarily vacant retail space at 55 Clinton Place (inside One Clinton Park; www.clintonpark.com) will be transformed to celebrate “The Art of Games”. Visitors can view "Game Board," an art installation by Barbara Ellman, that consists of game board inspired patterns in encaustic on wooden panels. Ellman works in painting, drawing and mixed media, and has produced public art for the MTA, City of Summit, NJ and Queens Public Library; she currently she works as an educator at the Whitney Museum , Lincoln Center Edcation and the Museum of Modern Art. The artwork will anchor a celebration of games, including Open Play Mahjong -- complete with all the equipment, and providing instruction and tips on how to improve your play.

Art is literally all around us in downtown New Rochelle: Take a Self Guided Tour of the NRNY Murals and learn the story behind the 20 large scale #NRNY Murals. Completed in 2022 the high impact murals were created by a group of world class street artists curated by Street Art for Mankind (SAM) and sponsored by the NRCA and the City of New Rochelle’s IDA. Take the free Culture Trolley on Sunday (departing from the Hotel NOMA parking lot at 1 Radisson Pl. at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm and 3:30 pm) for a guided tour of the NRNY Murals, or download the map at newrochellearts.org and tour the murals at your own pace. (For more about SAM visit www.streetartmankind.org. )

If set design is your thing you’ll want to visit The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion (44 Wildcliff Drive, NR; www.hpcgreenhouse.org), an annual haunted house that delivers the ultimate immersive Halloween experience. Creative director David Calamari builds and paints scenery for Broadway, television, and film, and those skills are on vivid display in this walk-through attraction set on the eerie grounds of the historic Wildcliff Estate. Calamari teamed with Executive Director David O’Neil to train live actors and create intense sensory effects that qualifies this “haunt” as a work of art! (Buy timed tickets starting at $25 from www.hauntatwildcliff.com )

Finally, on the last day of ArtsFest take a launch across Long Island Sound to visit the Echo Bay Yacht Club (22 Pelham Road, NR; www.echobayyachtclub.com) and view its exhibit of works by Noreen Dean Dresser. Her current work examines the firescape aftermath of global climate change and human enterprise. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dresser studied Fine Arts and Art at Antioch College and Art History in the U.S., Greece, and Italy, respectively; she has exhibited in the tri-state area, California, and Europe and is the Director of Parlour 153, a visual and performing arts salon in Harlem. The covered ferry to EBYC will run every half hour from1 pm, departing from Dock A at New Rochelle Municipal Marina (park at 2 Pelham Road, near Kenny’s on the Water.) Reservations are required to board: $5 roundtrip fee, children under 12 free. For tickets go to https://www.echobayyachtclub.com/event-details-registration/arts-fest-echo-bay-yacht-club

Now in its 18th year, ArtsFest is organized by the non-profit New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) to spotlight the diversity of arts and artists in our community, with more than 40 venues representing the work of some 250 visual and performing artists. For the complete ArtsFest calendar go to www.newrochellearts.org

Sponsors for this year’s ArtsFest include an Anonymous Donor, ArtsWestchester, Cappelli Organization, RXR Clinton Park, Waymo, The Gwendolyn Appleyard Trust Fund for New Rochelle Charities, M & T Bank,Town House Kitchen + Drinks, Alvin & Friends Restaurantplus in-kind donorsAJ’s Burgers, the New Rochelle Public Library, Hotel NoMa and the New Rochelle Downtown BID.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive Ken Jenkins.