ARTISANworks

ARTISANworks is a self-funded, not-for-profit art space occupying over 40,000 square feet of a renovated industrial factory at 565 Blossom Road in Rochester, NY. Founded by Louis Perticone and co-founder Kimberly Trenholm, the organization spent more than three decades building a collection that now encompasses nearly 500,000 pieces — spanning original artwork, antiques, vintage automobiles, and memorabilia. Perticone, who passed away in July 2024, envisioned the space as a modern cultural hub rather than a conventional gallery, with working artist studios integrated directly into the exhibition areas. ARTISANworks sustains itself primarily through its lease-to-own art program and event hosting rather than government grants.

The collection inside ARTISANworks ranges from student work to pieces by accomplished professionals, displayed in themed rooms dedicated to subjects like Marilyn Monroe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Several resident artists create new work on-site, so visitors may observe art being produced during their visit. Beyond gallery access, the facility operates as a full-service event venue with 13 flexible meeting rooms and larger spaces including a main showroom and the Juke Joint/Vertigo Heights hall, which accommodates over 350 guests. Additional programs and services include:

• Walking tours and group tours (call ahead to schedule)
• Art team-building workshops and scavenger hunts
• Lease-to-own art purchasing for individuals and businesses
• A weekly Sunday Thrift Sale from noon to 4 PM with free entry
• Corporate art placement in offices and restaurants throughout Rochester
• Discounted admission for students, seniors, military, and AAA members

ARTISANworks also hosts roughly 50 nonprofit fundraisers each year alongside private and corporate events.

ARTISANworks is known for its sheer density of art — floor-to-ceiling displays filling a sprawling former factory with an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, photography, neon signs, a 1960s fire truck, and taxidermy. The space functions simultaneously as a gallery, event venue, and active artist incubator, a combination that sets it apart from traditional museums in the Rochester area. Its self-funded nonprofit model, built around art leasing and sponsorship of emerging artists rather than public grants, is unusual among arts organizations of its size.

ARTISANworks sits on Blossom Road in Rochester's east side, near the intersection with Winton Road in a light-industrial corridor. The building offers bus and motorcoach parking, making it accessible for larger groups. The surrounding neighborhood is a mix of commercial and residential areas within a short drive of the Twelve Corners shopping district in nearby Brighton. The gallery is open for scheduled tours and events, with the Sunday Thrift Sale providing a regular drop-in opportunity.