You Can Touch It | THAWWW | The Yards Collective | Afterparty | FREE

is collaborating with and the curators of the "THAWWW" exhibition to present a highly unusual evening filled with INTERACTIVE art experiences followed by a fun AFTERPARTY at next to in the Rochester Public Market.

Works by over 60 artists from the Rochester region are featured in THAWWW.

This is the third year THAWWW has been presented. Each year the exhbition has been hosted and supported by .

• 6:00 pm - Mix and mingle. Socialize!

Spend the first 30 mintues walking through the "THAWWW" exhibition. Chat about the work with friends and other attendees.

• 7:00 pm - Welcome, introductions & then the program begins

Rome Celli from will welcome attendees and introduce , owner of , to give a brief overview of this alternative arts space. Then the program will begin...

This program provides an intimate engagement with works & ideas included in THAWWW. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience and experiment with a variety of sensory activities under the guidance of artists who contributed to the exhibition.

Station 1. Towers

A small group of attendees will be provided with common materials and invited to collaborate on the creation of a three dimensional object. The group will explore and experiment as they work together to express the intended purpose through a sculptural form.

Station 2. Consume

Another group of attendees will explore "CONSUME:THAWWW", a zine created by a number of artists for the exhibition. This limited run publication describes the intellectual, aesthetic and philosophical underpinnings of THAWWW. It also serves as a sort of historical survey of THAWWW and it demonstrates the unique collaborative process between contributing artists.

Station 3. Projection

At this station attendees will be presented with a sequence of projected images absent any descriptive context. Participants will be encouraged to imagine stories, poems and musings inspired by the images thereby allowing viewers to apply their own interpretations - entirely apart from the artist's intent.

Station 4. Dream

Attendees will experience a dream-like performance that involves a work created by an artist who "collects" and explores the subconscious through dream memories. A vintage typewriter inlcuded in the exhibition will be available to help stimulate & record attendees' dream memories or imaginings.

Station 5. Sound

THAWWW has a strong throughline of nostalgia. In this station attendees will be looking for the lingering imprint of those who have previeously owned certain objects present in the exhibition. Attendees will be presented with vintage record albums along with some of the stories asscoiated with the people who owned those particular LPs. Attendees will have an opportunity to thumb through the albums imagining which stories are associated with the creative expression embodied by the albums's design, text and sounds.

EXIT. Connection

We will end the evening by inviting attendees to identify works/experiences that resonated with them and discuss their experiences wtih the artists.

Ludmila Begley, David F. Burke, Richard B Colón, Keren Bierworth, Aimee Kuiper, Jason C Norris, Jon Gary, Mei Kiengsiri, Stephanie Morillo, Karen Faris, Lindsay A. Infantino, Christine McCullough, Laurie MacFarlane, Suzie Quinn, Michelle L Miller, Mud Zaelit, Karen Strapp, Sam Symonds, Linda Shanti McCabe, Sonny Belliardm, Aaron Steffer, Susan Kelley, Tyler Mueller, Nik Reynolds, Robin Annlot, Dakota Maxwell, Michael D’Avignon, Siouxzee Daniels, Jennifer C. DiGaetano, J Hubbell, Cielo Ornelas MacFarlane, Dina Noto, Darla Ariela, Amanda Dwyer, Neka Zimmerman, Kenna Malone, Eoin Dennis, Adyson McCullough, Haley Indorato, William Rivera-Bloodworth, Elanor James, Nova, Allie Push, Tiwa Topia, Rachel Saper, Logan Turner, Aidan Sofia Earle, Erica Bryant, Dave Towns, Alyssa Reagan, Nova Schmitz, Davida Rogers, Paola Macas Betchart, Katharine Torgersen, Emily Collins, Kristina Kaiser, Sarah Vitberg, Lucy Angrisano, Demmie Grace and Devy

Nick Koch, street photographer and retired zamboni driver, captures life in motion. Nick shoots what and who’s outside. From a background in car photography Nick has developed an investigative eye. He documents events, art movements and gatherings around the Rochester area, posting them under his moniker rocstreetphoto. He has developed a practice of investigative photography, capturing candid shots of street culture and life in our area. He recently developed and presented in its second year, the exhibition Thanks to the Streets with Frank’s Chop Shop.

Abby Lupi is an interdisciplinary resident artist at Muck Duck Studio. After studying physics at RIT, Abby fell in love with the vibrant art community of Rochester. Data analyst by day, they spend their evenings exploring acrylic painting, poetry, photography, and whatever sparks their interest. A performer in burlesque, drag, and former vocalist for The Patrick Jaouen Band, Abby brings the same energy to community building. They spotlight events by local businesses and creatives on Instagram at @roc_happenings and share their artistic journey.

Rivkah Simcha (she/they) is a New York City-born artist based in Rochester, New York. She uses ink, collage, and assemblage to explore the themes of death, grief, and transformation. Her art practice has been influenced by her training in expressive arts therapy at the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where she studied the facilitation of intermodal community arts experiences. As a performer in the avant-garde theater troupe The Velvet Noose, Rivkah has exhibited artwork throughout the Rochester area.. Rivkah is currently an artist-in-residence in Printmaking and Book Arts at Flower City Arts Center.

Matt Vanderlee is an artist, curator and New York State certified educator practicing in Rochester, New York. At this time he creates artwork, facilitates art programming, writes about art, talks about art and curates art shows with a variety of local organizations that include but are not limited to The Yards Art Collective, The Artist Collaborative and Frank’s Chop Shop. He developed the THAWW series in 2023 and is the owner of the semi-satirical company Hungwell Art Services

Join the artists and curators for a fun afterparty following the program! Cash bar.

, established in 2011 by a group of strong female identifying makers, is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive artistic space. Under the guidance of their committed director and passionate volunteers, they aim to foster a community of makers who uphold a high standard of craftsmanship.

The space features over a dozen permanent studio spaces, a communal workspace, and a gallery area available for rental. As an arts incubator, we engage emerging and professional artists through exhibitions, specialized classes, and a vibrant membership program.

Regular programming includes First Friday exhibitions, craft sales, and community events, bringing together diverse groups of art enthusiasts and creators. Our mission is to offer accessible, affordable, and functional art space while cultivating a supportive network of members building connections locally and beyond.

NOTES:

• This program is FREE and open to the public.
• Attendees do not have to be a member of .
• The venue is located in the next to .
• This program is NOT handicapped accessible. Access to the venue involves more than 10 stairs.
• Parking convenient to the venue is FREE and typically abundant.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Yards Collective (Above Cure Restaurant), Rochester Public Market, Rochester, United States