75th Central Adirondack Art Show in Old Forge
A front-yard art show still defines the Adirondack creative spirit after 75 years.
View Arts Center in Old Forge, NY.
In Old Forge, in the heart of the Adirondacks, the 75th Central Adirondack Art Show at View Arts Center is less an event than a living timeline.
The exhibition, now open through May 9, marks a milestone for one of the region’s longest-running cultural traditions—an Adirondack art show that began in a front yard and quietly shaped a creative community.
It’s easy to romanticize origin stories, but this one holds up. In 1951, Miriam Kashiwa hung artwork on chicken wire in her yard and invited neighbors to take a look. There were no grand ambitions—just a belief that art belonged in everyday life. Seventy-five years later, that same spirit still defines the show.
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Something for everyone on display at the View Arts Center.
From chicken wire to cultural cornerstone in the Adirondacks.
The Central Adirondack Art Show has evolved, but it hasn’t lost its center. Now housed at View Arts Center in Old Forge, the exhibition remains open to artists age 16 and older living within a 200-mile radius of Old Forge—a deliberate choice that keeps the show grounded in regional voices.
That wide net produces a layered exhibition. Traditional Adirondack landscapes share space with contemporary abstraction. Photography, sculpture, and mixed media expand the conversation beyond the expected. It’s not just a reflection of place—it’s a reflection of how artists interpret that place now.
For the View, the show is foundational. The institution itself grew out of Kashiwa’s early efforts, and today it serves as a year-round hub for exhibitions, performances, and classes in the Central Adirondacks. But the annual art show remains its clearest expression of purpose.
What this Adirondack art show says about the region today.
There’s a quiet resilience embedded in the Central Adirondack Art Show. It has outlasted shifting tourism cycles, economic downturns, and the changing nature of regional arts funding. And yet, it continues—largely unchanged in its mission.
Part of that endurance comes from accessibility. This isn’t a closed-door gallery experience. Visitors don’t need a background in art to engage. The work is varied, the tone is welcoming, and the pace is intentionally unhurried.
The timing matters, too. Running through May 9, the show lands squarely in the Adirondack shoulder season—a moment when the region exhales between winter and summer. Trails may be muddy, businesses still easing open, but inside View, there’s clarity. Focus. A reminder that the Adirondacks are as much a cultural landscape as a natural one.
A reason to linger in Old Forge this spring.
Old Forge is often seen as a summer gateway—boats on the Fulton Chain, crowds along Main Street, a high-season energy that defines the Central Adirondacks. But this show offers a different lens.
Adirondack artists on display.
In spring, the pace slows. Parking is easy. Conversations linger a little longer. The art show fits naturally into that rhythm, giving visitors a reason to stop, step inside, and engage with the region beyond its outdoor pursuits.
For travelers already planning a trip to the Central Adirondacks—or those considering a quieter, off-season visit—the exhibition offers something rare: a sense of continuity. The same show, in spirit, that someone might have wandered through in 1951, now experienced in a modern space.
ADK Taste insight.
The longevity of the Central Adirondack Art Show isn’t just about tradition—it’s about trust. Artists continue to submit work. Visitors continue to show up. And View Arts Center continues to hold space for both.
That kind of continuity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built, year after year, by a community that values creativity as part of everyday Adirondack life.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Visit on a weekday morning if possible. The galleries are quieter, and the experience feels more personal. Take your time—this isn’t a quick walk-through. It’s a show that reveals itself slowly, piece by piece.
Plan your visit.
The 75th Central Adirondack Art Show is on view now through May 9 at View Arts Center in Old Forge.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday: Closed
Visitors should check View’s official website or Facebook page for updates or related programming.
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FAQ: Central Adirondack Art Show at View Arts Center
What is the Central Adirondack Art Show?
An annual juried exhibition featuring artists from across the Central Adirondacks and surrounding region.
Where is it held?
At View Arts Center in Old Forge, New York.
When can you visit?
Now through May 9, during regular gallery hours.
What kind of art is featured?
A mix of painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
Is it worth visiting during mud season?
Yes—this is one of the best indoor cultural experiences in the Adirondacks during spring shoulder season.
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