M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery returns for its 68th year
Rochester, NY, August 6, 2025— Set against the backdrop of one of USA Today’s “10 Best Art Museums in the US,” the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival returns to the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) on September 6–7, 2025. Now in its 68th year, Clothesline stands as one of the longest continuously running juried art festivals in the country.
What began in 1957 with paintings strung on literal clotheslines has grown into a vibrant, two-day celebration of contemporary creativity, featuring nearly 300 artists, thousands of attendees, food trucks, live music, hands-on family activities, and free access to MAG’s galleries. “Clothesline is more than a festival—it’s a tradition,” says Sarah Jesse, Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director of the Memorial Art Gallery. “It’s where emerging and established artists meet enthusiastic collectors, where creativity is celebrated in every corner of the museum’s campus, and where Rochester kicks off the fall season in true artistic style.”
Tickets for the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival are on sale now.
Artists featured in the 2025 M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival:
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Debuting in 2025: The Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence
This year, the festival introduces an exciting new honor: the Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence. Sponsored by Joy Gallery and Studio and arts patron Richard A. Glaser, this $5,000 award recognizes outstanding artists working in all media across Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western/Central New York. It celebrates the enduring legacy of artist, educator, and community leader Luvon Sheppard, whose decades-long commitment to mentorship and community empowerment has profoundly shaped the region’s creative landscape. For more than fifty years, Luvon Sheppard has
uplifted local artists and broadened access to the arts. This award recognizes his remarkable contributions and helps ensure that his spirit of generosity and commitment to excellence will continue to inspire future generations.
Supporting the arts in Rochester
The M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival is MAG’s largest annual fundraiser and helps sustain year-round exhibitions, educational programming, and community outreach. M&T Bank has served as the presenting sponsor for over 30 years, reflecting its deep commitment to supporting the arts and regional culture.
“At M&T Bank, we believe in the power of the arts to bring communities together, inspire connections across generations and elevate local talent,” said Steve Epping, M&T Bank Rochester Regional President. “For over three decades, M&T has proudly supported the Rochester community through this festival, and we look forward to another year of celebrating the cultural landscape that makes this city so unique.”
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious first-time visitor, the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival promises a one-of-a-kind art experience you won’t want to miss. Join us September 6–7, 2025, at the Memorial Art Gallery, and discover why Clothesline remains a must-visit Rochester festival.
More information about the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival can be found here.
About the Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery showcases art from antiquity to the present day, including the outdoor public Centennial Sculpture Park. In addition to its permanent collection, MAG offers a year-round schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, after-hours social events, and family activities. Learn more at mag.rochester.edu
Press contact: Paige Engard, Marketing & PR Specialist: 585-474-7695 / pengard@mag.rochester.edu
Photos: The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) is proud to announce the return of the much-loved M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival on September 6 and 7, 2025, celebrating its 68th year as one of the longest-running and most respected juried art festivals in the country.