DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT – Things to do in Binghamton
Enjoy galleries, restaurants, local goods, coffee, arts retail, First Friday, community, & more things to do in Binghamton’s Downtown Art District,
The Arts are Blooming in Binghamton, NY
Artist Scott Yurko is a graduate of Maine-Endwell High School and alumni of the School of Visual Arts. Yurko, a member of the United Scenic Artist Local 829, spent the majority of the past 30 years as a scenic painter for the NYC Metropolitan Opera Association.
Now retired and embarking on a personal artistic renaissance, Yurko created “Iris,” an original five-color block print, as a symbol for the new Downtown Arts District in Binghamton. Whether seen in blue, green, lime or purple (the Downtown Arts District colors), Scott Yurko’s “Iris,” represents the growth and revitalization of this historic district and the potent intersection of creative energies in the Binghamton area.
Purchase a limited Downtown Arts District Iris travel wine mug or pick up a free Downtown Arts sticker at any establishment on State st.
📍186 State Street
Established in 2003, Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts is a contemporary fine art gallery located in Binghamton, NY. The gallery is owned by internationally renowned photorealist painter, Anthony Brunelli. Under the directorship of his brother John Brunelli, Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts specializes in the finest examples of contemporary realism, photorealism and well-disciplined abstract paintings, drawings, sculpture, original prints and alternative photographic media by emerging, mid-career, and established international artists. Fine quality craftsmanship, labor-intensive production, and innovation are central to the gallery’s program.
Artisan & Art Path Galleries
📍223 State Street
Artisan Gallery hosts monthly exhibitions by established and emerging artists of the Southern Tier. Expand your creativity and reignite old passions through Artisan Gallery’s PURSUIT art classes, offered on a quarterly basis in subjects such as oil painting, figure drawing, photography, and more. Stop by Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm or Thursdays 11am-8pm to enjoy the current exhibition, browse local artisan goods, or attend an artist talk.
Atomic Toms
📍196 State Street
Atomic Tom’s is an event space and art gallery located on State street in Downtown Binghamton. Atomic Toms features live music from emerging and touring musicians.
Broome County Arts Council
📍223 State Street
The Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) is an independent, 501(c)3 public service organization that provides community-informed arts programs and services through active planning, advising and education. BCAC serves as a clearinghouse for arts information, and provides stewardship of existing art treasures through financial support via our annual United Cultural Fund. Additionally, BCAC provides public programming including the First Friday Art Walk, Broome Art Trail, Broome Art Guide, Artist in Residence, Broome Arts Mirror and Business of Art Workshops.
Broome County Forum Theatre
📍236 Washington Street
The Broome County Forum Theatre is a historic theatre located firmly in Binghamton’s Downtown Arts District. The Forum can fit audiences of over 1,500 and hosts both local and touring acts. The Forum is the home performing venue for the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Tri-Cities Opera.
Cooperative Gallery
📍213 State Street
The Cooperative Gallery 213 has been a pioneering presence on State Street, now the hub of the arts renaissance in Binghamton. Cooperative Gallery 213 is a popular stop on the highly successful First Friday Art Walks which occur monthly from 6 to 9 pm. The gallery is open every Friday 3-6 pm, every Saturday noon-4 pm and by appointment with the featured artist or any member.
Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery
📍204 State Street
Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery exhibits established and emerging artists from the East Coast and beyond. Gallery hours are 11am-3pm and by appointment.
Burger Mondays
23 Henry Street burgermondays.com
Chris’ Diner
192 State Street chrisdiner.com
Social on State
201 State Street socialonstate.com
205 Dry
205 State Street 205dry.com
Uncorked Creations
205 State Street, Second Floor uncorkedbinghamton.com
Identity LBGTQ+ Youth Center
206 State Street idyouth.org
Old Barn Market
214 State Street oldbarnmarket.com
The Shop
219 Washington Street theshop219.com
Garage Taco Bar
211 Washington Street binghamtongarage.com
Lost Dog Cafe & Lounge
222 Water Street lostdogcafe.net
On the First Friday of every month, the Downtown Arts District opens their doors to the public to enjoy free art exhibitions, live music, and other creative events. First Friday offerings can be found HERE.
New Mural Opening Reception in Downtown Binghamton
Binghamton-based artist Sardar Kestay (Kurdish), recently completed a multi-story mural at 23 E Clinton St. in Downtown Binghamton.
RECEPTION:
There will be a ribbon cutting and public reception celebrating the hard work of area artist Sardar Kestay on Friday, October 6th, 2023 from 6PM to 8PM at 23E Clinton St. Binghamton, NY
ABOUT THE MURAL:
As is true to the nature of Kestay’s larger body of paintings, the mural located at 23E Clinton St. incorporates Kurdish imagery into the overall piece. Highly visible driving East over the Clinton St. Bridge, the mural depicts a central female figure. She’s reclined, her legs wrapped in patterned cloth, and is set against a bright yellow background.
According to the artist, the work speaks to women’s rights and freedoms. The patterned cloth acts as a symbol of cultural norms. The entanglement of that cloth in her legs visually represents how cultural norms can repress and deprive women of rights. He speaks to the beauty that can be found in tradition, while delicately drawing attention to how those same values can be a dated hindrance.
There’s joy yet to come, according to Kestay. Yellow, which makes up the majority of the background and appears throughout the mural, is a symbol of hope for a brighter future for women around the world.
This is an independent mural project not associated with BCAC’s iDistricts Mural and Mosaics program.
Slow Art Day
- Artisan Gallery (223 State Street)
- Cooperative Gallery 213 (213 State Street)
- Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery (204 State Street)
- Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts (186 State Street)
A Luminary Evening: The Downtown Arts District by Candlelight
- Uncorked Ceramics, Cooperative Gallery 213, and other participating locations will be serving hot chocolate, warm cider, and other seasonal beverages! Be sure to bring your own mug to enjoy something warm to drink!
- Bill Gorman will be reading the Polar Express at 6PM in the Artisan Gallery, located at 223 State Street.
- Enjoy art exhibitions from Cooperative Gallery 213, Orazio Salati Studio & Gallery, and Atomic Tom’s.
- Cooperative Gallery 213 will be offering artist tours of their holiday exhibition (Starting at 7PM).
- Visit the NEW Artisan Gallery and Art Path spaces, featuring two exhibitions (“This Glorious Place” and “Annual Members’ Show”), and a retail shop.
- Get some Holiday shopping done at Old Barn Market, Twig & Thread at Atomic Tom’s, and the Artisan Gallery.
- There will be caroling and other music performances.
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Downtown Arts District Iris was created by artist Scott Yurko.
