Main Street Arts is a non-profit arts organization located in the historic, picturesque village of Clifton Springs, NY. Programming includes exhibitions, youth programming, an art resource library, workshops, and events.
Main Street Arts also owns Sulfur Books, an independent bookstore located at 18 East Main Street in Clifton Springs, NY.
Apply for juried exhibition opportunities and open call for work below.
HORSE POWER!
June 6 - July 15, 2026
Submissions due: May 2, 2026
Notification of Accepted Artwork: May 7 (check Submittable messages)
Contract & Inventory due: By May 28 (check Submittable-but send via email or mail)
Accepted Artwork due at gallery: May 23-28 (no later than 5/28 @ 6pm)
Exhibition opens: June 6 at 11am; Artist reception 3-6pm
Pickup of Artwork from gallery: July 15 - 18 (or after July 25th)
As a horse-owner, artist, and curator, I’m thrilled to announce that HORSE POWER is open for submissions!
Horse Power is a group exhibition that celebrates all things wild and wonderful about the Equidae family of the horse (and related species such as the zebra); Horses have long been known for their strength, intelligence, and resilience.
Humans have settled, moved, and built great spaces and places-through harnessing the strength of the horse. Longstanding New York state-based projects, including the railroad and Erie Canal, were built through work which humans and horses completed together—and across challenging terrain, conditions, variables, and seasons.
This exhibition welcomes artwork related to: history of the horse, horsemanship, horse breeds, horse ownership, farm and ranch life, wild horse advocacy, coexistence, and related subtopics. With 2026 as "Year of the Fire Horse” this is an opportunity to submit work focused on the horse within the overarching Chinese zodiac. Additionally, artwork that explores pivotal horse-based topics, such as horse-racing, legalized export to slaughter, and wild horse helicopter roundups, are highly-encouraged.
Artwork featuring mechanically-driven horsepower, the horse within the context of modernity, and ways in which horses are used in marketing (example: Ford Mustang), are all highly encouraged. Lastly, work that visually conveys a deep interconnection between human and horse will be carefully considered for this group exhibition.
If you have questions please reach us at contact@mainstreetartsCS.org or 315-462-0210. Each exhibiting artist will receive an Artist Stipend which will more than cover the $10./submittable submission fee to enter.
Thank you artists!
Warmly,
Heather Olson, Executive Director & Gallery Curator, Main Street Arts
Main Street Arts is a NYS 501(c)(3) not for profit organization based in Clifton Springs, NY.
Our mission is: To promote the work of artists with ties to our region; to foster art education and encourage the creation of art; and to develop community awareness regarding the arts through community outreach and relationship building.
Main Street Arts
20 W. Main Street, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
(315) 462-0210
Hours: Tues-Wed @ 11am-3pm; Thur-Sat 11am-6pm
Note: we are closed Sundays and Mondays
Artwork submitted may be in any medium and there are no size restrictions. This call for work is open to artists residing in New York State. A $10 entry fee covers the submission of up to 5 pieces, per artist.
Dear Area Artists,
It's a new year & Main Street Arts is eager to see your new work as January 2025 marks a transition in leadership-with Bradley Butler departing and Heather Olson arriving as director and curator. With this, we are especially interested in seeing submissions from artists located within or with ties to upstate New York.
It should be noted that we are open to all media. When submitting, please keep in mind that we review these submissions twice annually and will respond according to that schedule. The gallery calendar is planned 1 or more years in advance. Submissions will be considered for inclusion in future exhibitions, not necessarily within the calendar year submitted. If you have questions please reach out.
As always, thank you for your interest in showing your work at Main Street Arts of Clifton Springs, New York.
Submit your 3-dimensional work for consideration to the newest gallery space at Main Street Arts!
We are hoping to launch this dedicated gallery exhibition space in early summer of 2025.
The Window Front Gallery will be a smaller space but includes street frontage and large glass windows. It has 2 spaces, one to the left and right, of our main entry doors. This space has AMAZING VISIBILITY onto the sidewalk and streetscape-with the opportunity for an artist to show 3d work on pedestals, the wall, the ceiling, or a combination thereof. Traditional 2-D work only (such as framed printmaking or framed photography) is not accepted.
The focus here is strictly 3-D; So if you are a printmaker-submit accordion books as well as perhaps wall pieces. If you are a mixed media artist-submit large hanging mobiles, suspended work, or a vertical installation piece. If you are a sculptor-submit work for the floor or for pedestals. This space is dimensional and tall and has equal amounts of wall and floor space able to be used.
Combined the left & right window gallery spaces includes the below rough dimensions:
2-WALL SPACES:
36" wide x 88" height max (RIGHT SIDE)
48" wide x 80" height max (LEFT SIDE)
2-FLOOR SPACES: for pedestal or large sculpture pieces
aprox. 44" x 54" rectangular floor space (RIGHT SIDE)
aprox. 44" x 54" rectangular floor space (LEFT SIDE)
2-CEILING SPACES: Available for suspended or hanging work
Aprox. 44" x 54" rectangular (mirrors floor shape below) (RIGHT SIDE)
Aprox. 44" x 54" rectangular (mirrors floor shape below) (LEFT SIDE)
*note: if hanging from ceiling-the work will need to be installed using installation hooks into trim at corners; Suspended work hanging from ceiling shall have a do not exceed weight limit to be discussed at time of submittal/review*
THE WINDOW FRONT GALLERY-is Open to artists ages 18+ residing in New York State.
There is no fee to submit your work.
Artwork is accepted on a rolling basis and will be rotated aprox 4-6 x per year. If submitting suspended work it is highly desirable for the artist to be present and work directly with the curator in hanging the work (and if possible also the removal of the suspended art work) to ensure it is installed and deinstalled properly.
Because Main Street Arts is a nonprofit we must promote positive, considerate, and appropriate work as we host weekly children's classes with youth and support and welcome audiences from 1 to 100. As such we ask that submissions and themes by artists be considerate of our audience and community. We look forward to reviewing your submissions and thank you for your time.
Submit your work for consideration to the newest gallery space at Main Street Arts! The Stairwell Gallery will feature small solo exhibitions by artists from our region. Please note, this opportunity is available for artists ages 18+ residing in New York State, with a focus on the regions of central NY, western NY, and Finger Lakes regions. There is no fee to submit your work. Artwork should be 12 inches or less with framing no larger than 16 inches.
Are you interested in teaching a workshop at Main Street Arts? Let us know! We are looking for artist/instructors to lead a variety of workshops throughout 2026.
Our facility includes an etching press, an electric kiln, easels, access to a sink, and workshop tables and chairs which can be raised and lowered depending on needs of the workshop. We also have an art resource library with dedicated digital library catalogue, lovely table and chairs and a private setting for incorporating discussions about art history, architecture, materials, artists and more. This library sits adjacent to our workshop room with large table and chairs and wonderful natural light with several windows.