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    Artisan Works

    4.4 (73 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Services - Artisan Works

    Venue rental

    Artisan Works Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Artisan Works

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mei N.

    So many things to look at! You will not get bored here. The selection of artwork is amazing, wish they put up more descriptions of each though. Staff were a little scary/intimidating.

    Teresa B.

    A one of a kind contemporary art gallery and supporting a local non-profit is a definite win win. I'm amazed with the array of sculptures and 2D artworks Artisan had on display. These make for fun photos too. Not only does Artisan Works have art on the walls but they have some displayed on the ceilings!! You also have an option to rent out a space for a wedding, shower, or any special occasion. Located in the heart of Rochester - visiting Artisan Works is a must!!

    Kenya M.

    Attended the book lovers bliss book fair, entry included access to all the exhibits. I've never been to artisan works before. It was really cool in there!

    Nicole D.

    This is my second visit and it was even better than the introduction. Every single blank space is covered with art. From mobiles hanging from the ceiling wooden sculpture photos paintings glass work, seriously everything imaginable. I loved the Kodak room rich with Rochester history. And the fire house second level has a seating area that allows you to take in the ceiling art. My friend really loved the Wright House rendition too. Stop in Friday to Sunday if you're not a member.

    Exterior
    Megan C.

    Walking into Artisan Works is IMPRESSIVE - no matter what reason you might be walking in for! A gallery walk, a wedding, or a gala event, AW does it all and does it with flair. In my most recent visit, I was able to get a little sneak peak at the car museum (SO cool!!!) they have hiding in their back space. This is only available by tour, but if you get the chance I would highly recommend checking this out. Absolutely incredible. The entire staff, from events to front of house to the ownership, is so passionate about their work. It shows in the curated nature of your experience, and the care they've taken in making the space special. Delight your senses and stop by! This is a great spot to take out of towners, as I think it really captures the essence of Rochester. A little zaney/hectic, but there's a place for everything and all falls beautifully into place. Love love love Artisan Works and cannot wait for my next visit.

    Sandy J.

    What a funky place- a mixture of venue for dances/meetings/conferences amidst a mildly chaotic spread of art, borderline hoarding mania, and yet tastefully collection of cars, spoons, furniture etc. It is certainly worth your perusing for those who want an overwhelming view to the senses. I liked this kind of art gallery bc I love artwork set in a background, with context, other works, to tell a story. Come here if you are into the art scene, the funky and eccentric, and the interesting. If you run into the owner and get a chance to speak to him about his story, you will not be disappointed over the interesting tale, economics of running this massive place, and the how he has obtained his collection over the years. They sometimes hold free tours if you look up what they are showcasing. Here are the main attractions for those who want a quick overview: 1. Antique and Classic Cars- pretty respectable car collection that the owner spent waiting for years sometimes for an owner to surrender the car. 2. Stuffed animals- that's right. real furs of rhinos, elephants, fur cats, etc that the owner somehow obtained. 3. Great place for wedding/dance. I heard prom is thrown in some of these places- feels almost museum/back to the future/stranger things/80's vintage feel. I'm not gonna lie- I would crash the prom of high school that hosts it here b/c it's an excelent palce to party and make conversation about so much stimuli. 4. Hoarders' Psychology- I swear, there are camera, spoon, wooden carvings, etc collections that one must wonder about how a hoarder goes about collecting some of this stuff. There are also collections by the same artist- one guy carved giant versions of pencil sharpeners, tooth brushes, etc. 5. Eccentric musings- That's right, if you just want a bizarre, interesting venue to see a lot of STUFF, then this is the place to go that takes away the stiff feeling of a white wall museum but not too messy to where it's a garage sale. There was clearly an art to deciding where to put what.

    Art
    Kellie B.

    Recently went to a reception here & it was Awesome. I enjoyed venturing out & taking photos & looking at art. So much fun! The food provided was very yummy too! Very unique atmosphere & it gave plenty to talk about. The only complaint I would have would be the lack of air conditioning. Their staff struggled working through the heat & the guests at the wedding we attended were very uncomfortable.

    Lucy M.

    One of my favorite places, this review is long overdue. Multiple times while visiting Rochester I had the thought that I would love it if the business I was visiting was in NYC before instantly realizing we would ruin it, and this is certainly one of those places. It's a giant warehouse filled with art. Beautiful, eclectic, whimsical art that covers every available inch of space. And they hold events! The night I was there they were holding a firemens ball. I know someone else who'd like to....well, we'll just let that one go unsaid, yeah? Paintings, mixed media photography, sculpture, themed rooms, neon, figurines, toys, poetry, funky furniture, medical equipment, games, instruments, stained glass- you name this place probably has it somewhere, along with a few odds and ends you hadn't even thought of. It's so much fun to spend hours here roaming through it all. How they fit it all together in a cohesive, natural, aesthetically pleasing way is art in and of itself. And the staff are the happiest people, they clearly love the space. Worth visiting if you're in the area, and definitely worth coming out of your way for.

    Chris C.

    Fun place with large art collection, very pop type exhibit, many rooms, nooks and crannies to explore. We were fortunate that the timing worked out to see the extra two areas not usually included. The Bourbon Street room and Rick's Cafe (Casablanca style room). Both are also rental areas for parties, weddings, promos, etc. Great stop by anyone with a camera. Lots to stimulate the imagination. Would definitely return.

    Strike!
    PJ C.

    I had not been to the Artisan Works in a few years and I forgot what a funky place it is. I attended a networking event the other night and the "banquet" space is much improved from years ago. It is much bigger and well laid out with the addition of the doors that open up on the one side. This is one of the most unique event spaces in town. I love the truly creative art that lines the walls, floors, and ceilings. I did not get a chance to wander through the whole place but if that has not changed it is overwhelming how much is crammed in this complex. I remember getting lost it is so vast. Really a wonderful "gallery"!

    Jen R.

    This place is a "find" to be sure. I came here for a group luncheon and tour. (Our lunch was very tasty) This place is MASSIVE.. been around for over 20 plus years and the story on how this came to be is just wow. The owner pays the artist of all of their catalog of art. They own most of if not all of the buildings that make this place a just wow. They have a membership and are open Friday-Sunday for tours. You can have events like weddings, parties and the like here. If you do have an event here they have an in-house caterer and they have many different rooms to have an event in. Different prices as well for the amount of people you would have. Every square inch has something to look at and that's what makes it very cool. Since the place is very large it can be a little chilly and to get to other parts of the complex you will need to take a quick walk outside. If you are not from the area you might get confused on how get in, you basically go in by the CVS parking lot and there is a sign and you drive down to the back. (Or call in and ask for proper directions or check the website.) It's a cool spot glad I finally got to check this place out. They have a dedicated parking lot. Check out this local gem.

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    5 years ago

    A must see in Rochester. This is one of the most wonderfully eclectic art-filled spaces I have been, and the tour was wonderful as well!

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    Ask the Community - Artisan Works

    Review Highlights - Artisan Works

    We also got a tour before dinner started and it's definitely not your usual art gallery.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    The Arbor Loft

    The Arbor Loft

    (18 reviews)

    East Avenue

    My wedding was in 2024 at the old Arbor Loft location. Working with Erica was absolutely…read morewonderful--she was kind, attentive, and truly cared about my wedding. The venue itself was beautiful, and some of the staff members we encountered were extremely friendly. Unfortunately, despite these positives, my overall experience left me feeling disappointed and stressed. At our final meeting, all of my carefully planned details were simply handed off to someone else who did not seem invested in my day. Half of my bridal party had never been in a wedding before, and despite asking multiple times, we were unable to secure a proper rehearsal time. We later learned this was because another event was booked that night. Our "rehearsal" ended up being squeezed into the bridal suite, which was chaotic. On top of that, another bridal party was scheduled to rehearse in our space at 1:00 p.m.--just two and a half hours before my guests were to arrive at 3:30. It was very stressful and did not feel like the focus was on our wedding. The morning of our wedding, I decorated everything with the help of one friend, only to have one of my bridesmaids rush in to tell me that another bridal party was practicing in the same space we had paid for and spent all morning decorating. The new woman in charge of the wedding (I never learned her name) Came to me and asked "what my problem was" When I asked about it, I was told, "Sorry, this is just how we do things here." That response left me feeling like my day wasn't valued. I also spent the night before carefully labeling bins and creating spreadsheets for the staff as they requested. Despite this, my belongings were returned completely disorganized--items were put in the wrong bins, frames were broken, and irreplaceable family photos were damaged. I had also rented flowers from Something Borrowed Blooms and specifically reminded the staff they were rentals that needed to be returned. Instead, they were placed in buckets of water--even though they were artificial--and I was later charged for them. I've been hesitant to leave this review because I wanted to move on and focus on the good memories of my wedding day. However, I feel future brides should be aware. While Erica was wonderful to work with, and the venue was undeniably beautiful, the way key details were handled was very disheartening.

    The Arbor Loft was hands down the best decision we made in terms of vendors for our wedding. From…read morethe beginning at the inquiry stage, they responded quickly and gave us all the information in a digestible manner. The loft itself is a beautiful space. It's a venue where you can decorate as much or as little as you'd like. The exposed white brick, the huge industrial windows, the perfectly appointed greenery that's already there and the adorable trendy modern furniture all make a great setting for whatever the event. The bridal and groomsman suites are amazing!! There's a photo opportunity at every corner. I loved how all my photos turned out! The Arbor Loft staff are just wonderful. We worked with Maddy first who got us to the contracts stage. She was super helpful and responded to all of our lengthy contract review comments. Then we worked with Carly all the way up until the wedding day. I cannot express how thankful we were to Carly. She responded to every email we had in less than 48 hours (I cannot say that for any of my other vendors). No matter how small or big the list of questions were, we got an answer. As a stressed out and type A bride, I can't even begin to stress the importance of receiving an answer in a reasonable timeframe. Unless you do one of their planner packages, it's important to note the Arbor Loft is not your wedding planner. They are very good however at asking the questions that make sure you are on track and have the minimum you need for a wedding day. On the day itself we worked with Autumn. She was so calming and even helped me with a fussy bustle that none of my bridesmaids can figure out. I would not have been able to do my first dance without her! For catering we used the Loft's Folk catering. They had such an interesting menu and we received such good feedback on the food. One of my picky friends event complimented on the dinner. They presented the buffet beautifully. For late night we picked a couple pizzas from swan dive, which delivered straight to the venue. This was the best food item for me on the day. The vegan pizza was soooooo delicious and I was grateful for the extra food since I didn't eat much during the day. Since Folk and Swan Dive were associated with the loft, everything was on one invoice and it was so easy when it came to settling the bill. Carly also kept us on track with payments which we were so grateful for. At the end of the wedding, the staff packed up all of our decorations for us based on an inventory list which was so helpful!! Especially when you're exhausted at the end of the night! Some tips for anyone engaged and getting married at the Loft. Attend one of their open houses. It's super helpful to see the types of furniture, linens, and rentals they offer. Don't buy anything that the loft can provide either for free or a reasonable price. The open house also gives you the vibe of when there are people there. You can also sample food from one of their caterers. And it's free! Take advantage of the furniture that's in the loft already. They have really cute lounge pieces that you can use for a photo op. Use the greenery they have in the space. All of these items can be moved to wherever you want if you just ask. The bridal suite is huge and a lovely space to get ready, use it. One suggestion I have for the loft is to have a bar sampling night. We did not get to taste test any of the drinks they offered for signature cocktails or any of their other alcohols. I'm sure they did a great job with the open bar but I think a drinks night will be super fun for everyone. I absolutely will recommend working with the Arbor Loft team at any of their locations. We had full faith in the team, this is what they do every day! Thank you Arbor Loft :) **All photos are from the amazingly talented Abigail Lynn Photography

    The Alexander - The most delish charcuterie!

    The Alexander

    (21 reviews)

    East Avenue

    The good: this is a beautiful restaurant, the drinks and appetizers were very good, the ribeye,…read moresalmon, and eggplant plant meatballs were tasty. Desserts were also very good. The server was friendly. The bad: they were woefully understaffed. It seems like there was one server for the entire restaurant including two large parties. Ours was one of those parties. Our reservation was at 6:15. We were seated quickly but did not see a server for at least 30 minutes after. It took at least another 30 minutes to get half of our drinks, another 15 to get the other half, and another 30 to get appetizers. When our main dishes came out, some were not very hot, the crab fried rice was missing crab, but the rest of the dishes were good. After appetizers, dinner and dessert we left the restaurant about 2.5 hours after arriving. I'd try this restaurant again because the food and drinks were good but it's probably best to go with a smaller party.

    I had a lovely time at the Alexander restaurant. I came on a Thursday night with a group of six and…read moreyou didn't make a reservation. However, the restaurant was pretty empty. Service was friendly and the weight staff checked on us a lot. I ordered the Caesar salad with french fries the garlic stuffed bread, and we tried to the spiritless cocktails on the menu. The food was delicious and I have no complaints there. However, the spiritless cocktails left a lot to be desired. I would probably come back here again.

    George Eastman Museum - Half of a corn mash sandwich and salad

    George Eastman Museum

    (141 reviews)

    $$

    East Avenue

    My first visit here and I know I'll be back. The George Eastman museum is both his mansion and with…read morevery tasteful renovations and additions a beautiful art gallery. We were lucky to make it in time for the guided tour of the mansion. We learned about George Eastman, his family and very interesting facts about the huge mansion. Many of the furnishings were original to the house and the architecture was amazing. They have a lovely cafe inside so we sat down for just a drink since our lunch plans were already made. The Hibiscus ice tea was wonderful. We took our time and viewed the exhibit "Edward Steichen and the Garden". He was a reknowned photographer and horticulturist creating many new strains of his beloved Delphiniums. The detailed information posted by each item was fascinating. Everyone working there was pleasant and helpful. They also have events like movies and music, so check the schedule.

    It feels to me like if you haven't visited the Eastman Museum, you haven't fully experienced…read moreRochester. Having visited many contemporary mansions in the Mid-Hudson Valley, I think the Eastman home is comparable if not better. The gardens were beautiful, and I took notes and made a landscaping project list for my own home for next year. The photography museum is icing on the cake. It does seem ironic, though, that while we're visiting a museum devoted to the history of photography, now most of us are taking our pictures on digital media. How times and technology have changed and grown!

    Artisan Works - galleries - Updated May 2026

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