30th Annual Members Exhibition

December 4, 2020 - February 6, 2021

*The exhibition will be open to the public during our normal gallery hours (Wed. - Sat. 12-5pm / Fri. 12-9pm) until February 6 - no reservations necessary. We're following all NYS safety & occupancy regulations.

The Days the Artists Spoke: December 12 & January 8
Artwork Pick-up: February 6, 5-7pm, February 7 & 8, 12-6pm

For the 30th consecutive year we invite artists from the Rochester region and beyond to enter one artwork and participate in this incredibly diverse exhibition. Continuing a three decades long tradition, we are excited to provide an opportunity for any artist to showcase their work and participate in this eclectic celebration of the visual arts.

Artwork drop off days are November 6, 12-9pm, and November 7 and 8, 12-6pm. Any media are welcome with maximum dimensions of 32" x 32" x 32". Artwork should be ready to hang. There is no submission fee, however all participants must be Members of RoCo. Not a member yet? Join here.

About the Postcard Design

The postcard for this exhibition was designed by Luvon Sheppard. Sheppard grew up in Rochester and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He currently teaches at RIT's School of Art and Design and is the Director of the Joy Gallery on W Main St in Downtown Rochester. Sheppard is known for his watercolor paintings, which often reflect his experiences within the Rochester community. Sheppard's work can be found in the permanent collections of the Memorial Art Gallery (Rochester, NY), the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), Garth Fagan Dance (Rochester, NY), and the University of Seoul (Seoul, South Korea), among others. Sheppard's work was also featured in RoCo's 2018 exhibition No Soil Better, presented as part of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial.

Community Partners

Beyond the Nest
The Yards Collective
Flower City Arts Center
Ibero-American Action League
TwentyTwenty Art Collaborative
Ganondagan State Historic Site and the Friends of Ganondagan
Rochester’s Community Media Center
Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance

30th Annual Members Exhibition Awards

Members Choice Award: Olivia Kim
What’s your favorite? The Members Choice Award is an interactive award selected by RoCo members. Green stickers are given at the Admissions Desk, one sticker = one vote. The stickers will accumulate for the duration of the exhibition and the winner will be announced on the last day of the Members Exhibition. Cash prize and bragging rights!

Bill Havens Award: Melissa Matson
Annually awarded to one participating artist. Chosen and given by Anne Havens in memory of her son Bill. $200

Genesee Land Trust Award: Janet Zandy
Awarded by Genesee Land Trust to celebrate the inspiration of nature. Selected by Lindsay Recktenwald $200

Record Archive Award: TBA
This annual award is intended to support the pursuit of painting in the Rochester region. Selected and given by Richard Storms, owner of Record Archive. $100 Gift Certificate.

Wow Award: Rae Wiggins
Annual award given to an artwork that simply makes one say “Wow!” Selected by Bleu Cease, Executive Director of RoCo. $100 and a Household membership to RoCo.

Print Club Award: Kasey Edgerton
The Print Club of Rochester has selected one artist whose technical skills expand the traditional definition of printmaking. $35 basic membership to PCR and a $75 cash prize.

Edge Award: Heather Brand
Art as inquiry. This award is presented to an artist whose work seems to be stretching boundaries, standing at the edge of what they know, peering into unforeseen territory. Selected and supported by Colleen Buzzard. $200

Arena Art Group Award: Bill Judkins
This annual award is given by the Arena Art Group, whose purpose is to promote community interest in exploratory art forms. Selected by Sharon Locke and Constance Mauro. Application, membership fees, and dues to AAG waived. $100

AXOM Gallery Award: Paul Dodd
Awarded for exceptional use of materials/medium. Selected by Rick Muto. $100

Flower City Arts Center Award: Richmond Futch
One-year Center membership and a $150 gift certificate redeemable for classes. Selected by Flower City Arts Center staff.

George Eastman Museum Award: Quajay Donnell
Selected by Photographic Preservation and Collections Manager Olivia Arnone. Family level membership to George Eastman Museum.

City Newspaper Critic’s Pick: Sara Gallagher
Selected by Rochester City Newspaper Arts & Entertainment Editor Rebecca Rafferty. Artwork will be featured in City Newspaper.

Main Street Arts Award: Kathy Farrell
Awarded for exceptional use of materials/medium. $100

Student Choice Award: Richmond Futch
Selected by college students from across the region. Students vote throughout the exhibition and the winner will be announced on the last day of the exhibition. Along with the fame, the winner will receive a RoCo Thredz shirt and token for the Art-o-Mat! *Students! In order to participate, visit us during the members exhibition!

Wall Therapy Award: Adam Eaton
Selected by Ian Wilson and Erich Lehman. Wall Therapy swag bag with 2013 book, shirt, signed can from a WT artist, and more goodies.

The Yards Award: Brian Loughner
Selected by Kristina Kaiser. The Yards Collective swag bag filled with a T-Shirt, Limited Edition Print, and a one year membership to The Yards.

Constance Mauro

Anne Havens & Stewart D Davis

John & Barbara Lovenheim

The Pandya Family

Sponsored by:

Dr. Eric Dreyfuss & Joan Rosenthal

Sandra & Neil Frankel