From September 17 through October 29, the storefronts of Downtown Rye will double as exhibition spaces as Art for Purchase, a public art initiative presented by The Rye Arts Center, returns for its second season.
This year’s exhibition brings together 26 local and regional artists and more than 25 Downtown Rye businesses, with artwork installed in shops, restaurants, cafés, and other storefronts. The exhibition spans painting, drawing, mosaic, ceramics, fiber art, and photography, inviting visitors to encounter original work in places they might otherwise visit for a cup of coffee, a meal, or an afternoon of shopping.
The program grew out of a simple idea: put art where people already gather. This year, that idea takes on a more collaborative dimension. More than 60 artists submitted work for consideration from across Westchester and Fairfield County, and participating businesses reviewed the applications and selected the artists they felt best suited their spaces, aesthetics, and customers.
To learn more and see the full list of artists and businesses participating this year, visit: ryeartscenter.org/art-for-purchase-st
What’s New in 2026
- Businesses chose their artists: For the first time, participating businesses took the lead in reviewing applications and selecting the artists whose work they wanted to feature in their spaces.
- A month of programming: The Rye Arts Center is partnering with the community on a series of events throughout the exhibition, including arts panels, guided tours, and “color hunts” designed to encourage visitors to look more closely at the artwork throughout Downtown Rye.
- Two RAC Visionary Artist Award recipients join the exhibition: Meera Agarwal and Lynn Mara, recipients of The Rye Arts Center’s Visionary Artist Award, are participating this year. Agarwal will be featured at Dabney Lee, while Mara will exhibit at Rafele Rye.
- Six new businesses join the program: American Reclaimed, Dabney Lee, TWEEDS Custom Suits, Sartina, Sunshine Coffee Roasters, and Winfield Street Coffee are participating for the first time in 2026.
- The youngest artist yet: High school student Charlie Sindell, paired with Finch & Co., is the youngest artist to participate in Art for Purchase to date.
Opening Celebration
Art for Purchase officially opens on Thursday, September 17, with a community celebration from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Wine at 5. The evening will mark the unveiling of the storefront installations throughout Downtown Rye, followed by live music on the Village Green from Dark Matter, a local band.
Art for Design Panel
New this year, The Rye Arts Center will host an Art for Design panel on October 8 from 6:30–7:15 p.m., exploring the relationship between art and interior design. The conversation will consider how artwork can shape a space, from selecting and collecting pieces to creating interiors with character and intention.
Panelists include Jill Gerstenblatt of JG Art Advisory, Shannon Murray Petruzello of Shannon Murray Interiors, and Liz Tuncer of Samuel Owen Gallery.
