Celebrating Upstate Art Weekend 2025 With Founder and Fashionista Helen Toomer

Upstate Art Weekend (UAW) 2025 is offering up another vibrant celebration of art, community, and place from July 17th to the 21st across the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. What began in 2020 as a grassroots initiative to connect art lovers with the region’s creative community has blossomed into one of the Northeast’s most anticipated and fun cultural festivals. This year, UAW also unveils its exciting new permanent headquarters in the heart of Kingston, reflecting both its growing influence and its commitment to nurturing artistic exchange.

Founded by visionary curator and arts leader Helen Toomer, Upstate Art Weekend has become a beacon for artists, collectors, and explorers alike, drawing thousands to experience the rich tapestry of contemporary art woven across ten counties. The 2025 edition expands to five days, featuring over 200 participating artists, galleries, museums, and local organizations. From renowned institutions to hidden gem studios, the weekend promises immersive exhibitions, Open Studios, site-specific installations, and—for the first time—an official DANCE Party! all set against the region’s breathtaking summer landscapes.

Helen Toomer, whose passion for fostering creative communities is well-known from her work with STONELEAF RETREAT and the Collective Art Fair, brings her signature energy and vision to every detail of UAW. This year’s festival is not just bigger—it’s more connected, more accessible, and more celebratory than ever, with a new interactive map, a beautifully designed printed guide, and expanded programming that invites everyone to discover the magic of upstate New York’s art scene.

We caught up with Helen at the new UAW headquarters to talk about the festival’s evolution, her inspirations, and what’s in store for this milestone year. Read on for an inside look at the people, places, and ideas shaping Upstate Art Weekend 2025—and why you won’t want to miss a moment as this multifarious event returns for its sixth and most ambitious year yet.

UPSTATE ART WEEKEND | July 17-21, 2025


OPEN STUDIOS | July 19-20, 2025
 | View the Full Program Here | View Interactive Google Map Here

Now, let’s dive into our conversation with Helen Toomer, the creative force behind Upstate Art Weekend.

INSIDE+OUT UPSTATE NY: Congratulations on your new headquarters for Upstate Art Weekend! It sounds like it’s more than a headquarters. Please elaborate on the space and what happens there.

Helen Toomer: Thank you so much! I feel so lucky to have a permanent space in Kingston where we can share the magic of UPSTATE ART WEEKEND and showcase brilliant artists and creatives! The space is named upbringing – a place to raise ideas. Just as a person’s upbringing takes many people, time, and care, so does the creative process. It’s a collaboration of love and labor—intensive, yes, but deeply rewarding. That’s exactly how I feel about the work I do. To have it all under one roof, nurtured in a space like this, feels like magic.

Right now, I’m sitting in upbringing surrounded by beautiful and meaningful work by Zoë Buckman, Tamar Ettun, Nona Faustine, Qiana Mestrich, Cheryl Mukherji, Rebecca Reeve, and Keisha Scarville, which is on view until the last day of UAW – Monday, July 21st. Then, come Fall, a new iteration of upbringing will unveil itself – so stay tuned.

New office. New Look? We LOVE your new logo and fabulous mod rebranding. What inspired the redesign, and with whom did you collaborate on this project?

Helen Toomer: WE LOVE IT TOO!! We were so fortunate to be connected with Hudson Valley local designers, BEST Creative Studio (keepitbest.com / @staybest) and the EPIC Alison Matheny and Mia Fabbri, who created the wonder that is our new branding. They totally got UAW, and to see the organization reflected with such beautiful branding makes my heart sing! I’m so excited about all the fun things we can do with our new branding, including some swag.

Upstate Art Weekend takes place July 17th-21st, now for five days!  What are you most excited about, and what do we need to know about UAW 2025? What are the highlights for 2025?

Helen Toomer: I’m excited about it all! I love that there are SO many different offerings from beloved institutions, galleries, residencies, mixed-use spaces, and temporary projects. I love the mix of it all and that it all takes place within the beautiful landscapes of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains.

I’d recommend looking at our Google Map and spending some time exploring what’s happening to create your own map and highlights. And remember – there’s always too much to see, but many places are open beyond UAW, so come back.

Also, I’m REALLY excited we are finally having an OFFICIAL DANCE PARTY!! An epic celebration and fundraiser for Noise For Now on Friday, July 18th, at Assembly in Kingston. I can’t wait to dance with so many friends and raise funds for abortion access. Tickets can be found here – hope to see you there!

What, if anything, will be different about Upstate Art Weekend this year compared to last?

Helen Toomer: This year feels a little more ‘grown-up’ for want of a better phrase! We have our headquarters and new branding, and we are printing a handheld map (shout out to Ryan of Pro-Printers in Hudson!) that will be freely distributed in the region so folks can pick one up to use, keep and use again!

Also, we have a new partner event, Upstate Open Studios, where approximately 200 artists are registered to open their studios to the public on Saturday and Sunday of UAW. This is an exciting addition to showcase artistic talent in the region!

As Upstate Art Weekend continues to grow, what do you imagine UAW will look like in 5 years? What is your vision?

Helen Toomer: The vision is for UAW to keep on growing, refining, and supporting creative magic in the area!

Who or what inspires you personally?

Helen Toomer: I find inspiration everywhere, especially in nature and from art and artists. My family also inspires me – from my little monster Harry to my much-missed Grandma.

What is your dream project or collaboration?

Helen Toomer: Honestly – BEST has been a DREAM collab! I love working with EPIC humans, who are not only great at what they do but are committed to sharing the spotlight and uplifting others.

In another world, a dream collab would involve fashion… I LOVE CLOTHES and accessories!!! Even in the woods!

What do you do for fun? What are some of your favorite ways to unwind and unplug when you are not planning large-scale events?

Helen Toomer: Chilling at home, with my bare feet on the grass, watching my husband and son play – that is heaven for me. Also, sharing our home with friends and artists makes my soul sing. That, and a good book and a fire in the colder months.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Helen Toomer: The ability to omit the current president from office and undo all the harm he’s done. That or flying!

What is your current state of mind?

Caffeinated, calm, and content.

+ + +
Follow/Connect with Helen Toomer/Upstate Art Weekend via Website | UAW Instagram | Helen Instagram I Inside+Out Spotlight

Benefit Dance Party for Abortion Access on July 18th | Tickets HERE

upbringing photos courtesy of Jurate Veceraite  | Design images courtesy of BEST Creative Studio