At Rochester Contemporary
137 East Avenue
Rochester, New York
Here we are at the beginning of a new season, and the art community here is a buzz. Talking with Bleu Cease, the seasoned Director at Rochester Contemporary, he mentions that this is the 19th year for the
6 x 6 show that recently opened at 137 East Avenue. He said that this year there is slightly more than 6000 entries for the show which is now up on the gallery walls! You could say that there is really something for everyone in this year's exhibition. At $20 per piece you could start an art collection, or add to the one you have already started!
Great variety at the 2026 Summer Show for 6 x 6
Since it is my birthday, I treat myself to a couple of interesting works of art, and I have just the right place in mind for them at my studio! It is remarkable what people can do with such a small dimension of 6 inches by 6 inches! I look for the standouts, these are the pieces which I find are memorable, but you might have already passed them up! I know some of the artists in the show - I can tell by the colors and the technique. I usually send in a few of my paintings to this summer happening. In the end, we want to support this great effort at RoCo, and this is one way we can help them raise funds for what they present each year.
The big wall at RoCo, there is something for everyone
When you go and visit this yearly show, sometimes the art on the top row is hard to really see clearly ( at least for me ), but you can go online and view the show - especially if you have some time and can't actually go to the gallery. Also, if you have been to RoCo and bought something but you can't pick it up in July, you can have them send it to you ...you just have to ask!
The 6 x 6 show is one way for the gallery to raise funds for the year ahead, and I applaud the volunteers who do the hard work of mounting the show on those tall walls, HATS OFF TO YOU ALL!
Lee Hoag presents "Evoke" at
R.I.T. City Art Space
30 Adventure Place
Rochester, NY
Down the street, across from The Strong Museum of Play, there is the new R.I.T. City Art Space. They recently moved into this new location, and it is an attractive space for modern art, and here I found sculptural works by Lee Hoag. Lee's exhibition is called "Evoke" and the show runs until August 1st, 2026. You may have seen some of his artwork in a Finger Lakes exhibition, and it really does speak for itself. I don't think you could confuse Lee's art with other things you might see in an area art gallery. His artwork does remind me of a time ( maybe in the 1970s ) when the artworld had to reckon with minimalism.
Lee Hoag's "Mind Field" (Lost Our Minds)
In some ways, Lee Hoag's emphasis is on industrial design. His surfaces are always immaculate, and evocative, and they leave a lasting impression. The structures he works out are strong and they have an aesthetic appeal, but not necessarily a utilitarian view. In other ways, I think his conception is a kind of critique of an already established order, maybe of an outgrowth of capitalism. Go see for yourself!
Lee Hoag presents "Medusa" at R.I.T. City Art Space
