The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) held a kickoff event on Thursday to launch Upstate Art Weekend, a regional celebration of the arts, and a boost to the creative economy that runs through Monday across the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
In Woodstock, the event underscored a growing partnership among local institutions, with official Upstate Art Weekend participants Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild and the Woodstock School of Art joined by WAAM, Maverick Concerts, the Historical Society of Woodstock and others in commencing a weekend full of exhibitions, open studios, concerts, and community events.
“This arts coalition is some of our most historic and some of our best cultural institutions,” said State Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D-41). “To have all of you come together in partnership to really elevate what we have is incredible. It’s a really good strategic move, but it’s also really wonderful.”
Upstate Art Weekend, now in its sixth year, includes more than 150 participating arts spaces throughout the region.
“We love to be on the map for this weekend,” said WAAM Director Nicole Goldberg. “It reminds people that not only is the art scene in Woodstock vibrant, but it’s been that way for over a century.”
Robert Langdon, program director of the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, described the organization’s seasonal artist residency, which brings creators from across the country to live and work in Woodstock.
“We have a really robust artist-in-residency program where we welcome about 80 artists throughout the summer, May through September,” Langdon said. “They come for three and a half weeks and just really immerse themselves in their art.”
Nina Doyle, executive director of the Woodstock School of Art, highlighted the school’s dual role as an educational institution and a platform for emerging and established artists.
“Right now, it’s important to celebrate the arts and artists in our community,” Doyle said. “This weekend is a great opportunity to showcase art.”
She noted that 80% of the proceeds from the weekend’s art fair will go directly to artists, with the remainder supporting the nonprofit school.
Hinchey, who grew up in Saugerties, said Woodstock’s artistic legacy is deeply personal. “We grew up in the arts—whether it was music or drawing or theater, that’s our foundation,” she said. “And it’s great to continue it.”
Angela Schapiro, a photographer and longtime Woodstock resident, said the weekend offers an overwhelming abundance of cultural events.
“There’s so much going on this weekend, it’ll be hard to get to it all,” Schapiro said. “Woodstock is a very accepting art and music community, and people from all over get to see that this weekend.”
Still, Hinchey warned that sustaining this creative energy will require protecting affordability for artists and residents. “Arts is a huge economic driver for Woodstock and the greater Hudson Valley,” she said. “It’s important that Woodstock stays affordable.”
Select Events for Upstate Art Weekend, July 17–21, 2025
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild
34 Tinker St & 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Rd, Woodstock
- Andrew Lyght: Touch Wood at Kleinert/James Gallery
- Artist-in-Residence Open Studios: Sat, July 19, 12–4 pm
- Calvin Graham Retrospective at Byrdcliffe Barn
Woodstock School of Art
2470 Route 212, Woodstock
- Instructors Exhibition: July 17–21
- Art Fair on Campus: Sat, July 19, 11 am–6 pm & Sun, July 20, 10 am–3 pm
WAAM (Woodstock Artists Association & Museum)
28 Tinker St, Woodstock
- Exhibits open throughout the weekend
- Juror Talk with Melissa Stern:Sat, July 19, 1-2pm
- Painting Demonstration, Aaron Hauck, Sun, July 20, 1-2pm
Historical Society of Woodstock
20 Comeau Dr, Woodstock
- Yard & Bake Sale: Fri–Sat, 9 am–3 pm
- Making Her Mark: 50 Women Artists Of The Historic Woodstock Art Colony
- Saturdays & Sundays, July 12 through September 14, 1–5 p.m
- Saturdays & Sundays, July 12 through September 14, 1–5 p.m
Maverick Concerts
Maverick Road, Woodstock
- Family Saturday: Sat, 11 am – Adam Tendler (Free)
- Saturday Night Concert: Sat, 8 pm – Adam Tendler
- Chamber Music: Sun, 4 pm – Pacifica Quartet
Catskill Mountain Shakespeare
7970 Main St, Hunter
- Romeo and Juliet: Evening shows July 18–20
- LGBTQ+ Midsummer Social: Fri, July 18
- Relaxed Show: Sun, July 20
Opus 40
356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties
- Friday Cumbia!: Yeison Landero, Fri, July 18
Tree At My Window Collective
27 Baker Rd, Bearsville
- Group Exhibition: July 18–20, 11 am–6 pm
Stuhl Werner Studio
398B Peck Rd, Shokan
- Open Studios: July 17–20, 10 am–4 pm
River Valley Arts Collective at Al Held Foundation
26 Beechford Dr, Boiceville
- Mikayla Patton Solo Show
- Performance & Tour: Sun, July 20, 1 PM (RSVP required)
Visit upstateartweekend.org or participating institutions’ websites for full details.