The glorious Upstate Art Weekend (UAW) long-weekend just exploded across the Hudson Valley for five full days of arty fun (from June 25-29), but many of the best shows are still on view this summer season. As a die-hard fan of UAW and all that it represents, this is my fourth year covering the outsized event (shameless cross-pollinating plug: please check out my travel-log for Hyperallergic). With over 160 participants on the UAW 2026 map, there was an abundance of exhibitions, performances, and specially curated projects to encounter during the hearty schedule. If you missed out, not to fume. Here are my suggestions for a dynamic “post-UAW art to see” itinerary.
An exquisite show to catch in Hudson, “Sam Gassman: The Remains of the Gay” (through July 20) at Ornamentum Gallery on Warren Street is a thrill. Featuring vintage rag jewels, distressed hand-sewn flags, and gorgeous antique jewel assemblages, these brilliantly crafted objects will take your breath away. I had the pleasure of chatting with Gassman at the tail end of his opening, and he spoke of how he puts “high and low together to make everything possible,” indeed the charismatic sentiment behind his creative technique.
“Tatana Kellner: Inequity” (through August 1) at The Sketchbook Gallery in Saugerties presents recent paintings, drawings and collages by the artist, who cites being raised by Holocaust survivors and growing up immersed in the propaganda of a totalitarian regime as references that inform her practice. Through expressionist works that reflect psychological and imaginative interpretations of her life experience, this poignant show is a fitting pair with the compelling exhibition just next door, “Matthew Gilbert: Pretend Till It Hurts” (through August 1) at Jane Street Art (stay tuned for my forthcoming review of his work).
The dynamic group show “Invasive Species” (through August 23) curated by Jill Benson at Rohmer Gallery in Saugerties is a joy to behold, including totem-like creatures by Elodie Blanchard, moody abstract paintings by Greg Slick, hand-dyed paper yarn sculptural works by Kathie Halfin, and wild organically inspired oil paintings by Tracy Phillips. Celebrating a year in their sweet little space on the main drag in town, this gallery is a charm.
The store at Hudson Valley Seed Company in Accord is brimming with beautiful artist-designed seed packets and other handsome garden-themed wares, and this summer they are presenting a lovely group show to complement their classy shop. “Fleeting Bloom, Fixed Form” (through August 24) includes mixed media artworks by Julia Whitney Barnes, Natalya Khorover, Natalie Wargin, and April Warren, all resident Hudson Valley artists.
Photo: Taliesin Thomas
Another “must visit locale” in the region is Olana State Historic Site in Hudson. Olana’s sprawling 250-acre landscape was designed by Frederic Church, one of the most revered painters of the Hudson River School of American painters. This year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth, and Olana presents “WHAT’S MISSING? (through October) featuring commissioned site-specific outdoor sculptural works by Ellen Harvey and Gabriela Salazar.
At The School | Jack Shainman Gallery in Kinderhook, their annual summer show “Modus Operandi” (through November 28) brings together a number of artist-heavy-hitters that define the profile of contemporary art on a global scale, including fascinating paintings and watercolors by Alexis Rockman, minimalist sculptures by Yoan Capote, graffiti-esque gouache works by badass Barry McGee, black granite egg-like sculptures by Wolfgang Laib, and bright abstract expressionistic paintings by Faith Ringgold.
The crew at Bard College is the coolest bunch, and the Hessel Museum of Art is consistently the go-to institution for seeing exceptional exhibitions. “Uman: In Between” (through November 29) is a stunning retrospective-style show featuring her vibrant paintings, experimental collages, drawings, and large-scale compositions that pulse with a feeling of wonder and bliss. Get over to Hessel and allow Uman to sweep you away into her dramatic compositions and magnificent color combinations.
If you have not visited the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in Wappingers Falls, do not delay. Aside from the chance to see mind-blowing visionary artworks by art-power-couple founders Alex and Allyson Grey, their current exhibition “Supernal Light” (through March 2027) at the All One Gallery includes classic woodcuts by M. C. Escher, sultry airbrushed watercolors by A. Andrew Gonzalez, luscious female archetypes panel paintings by Rebecca Leveille-Guay, and a iconic photo-collage by Fred Tomaselli.
