By Barbara Arnstein
Just a few months from now, there will be an exciting new marketplace in Springville for artists, and it will be much more than a gallery. It will also be a community hub with a cafe, and a rooftop with patio seating. In addition to small artwork and craft creations, artisan foods will also be available. The new place will be called “Artisans on East Main Street”, because it is located at 3 E. Main Street in Springville, NY, a beautiful historic building (formally housed The Legacy Restaurant), which is presently still undergoing renovation.
Artists’ work will be displayed on assorted types of shelving and hanging units with lighting. During each holiday season, there will be seasonal items. It will eventually expand each floor of its’ next-door neighbor, “Art’s Cafe”, a popular bakery-cafe that is a showplace and marketplace for art, with a 60-seat performance space, a library and a public green roof.
At this time, there is limited seating on the green roof of “Art’s Café”. The “Artisans”‘ roof area will not only add seats but connect to the cafe up front. There will be more library seats, the kitchen will be enlarged, and there will be entrances on all three sides. The larger kitchen will be available for use by food entrepreneurs, giving them access to a licensed commercial kitchen. There are plans for classes to teach artists about self-promotion, bookkeeping and more.
Seth Wochensky, Executive Director for Springville Center for the Arts, which is behind both “Art’s Cafe” and “Artisans”, commented about the latter, “We expect to complete structural work as we head towards Spring. The basement kitchen will probably be completed by the end of summer. We’re excited to work on this project as the next chapter and build on the excitement the cafe has brought to Main Street”.
Part of “Artisans on East Main” is expected to be open on the day of Springville’s annual major art event, the Art Crawl on Saturday, June 6, 2026. This event, showcases artwork in buildings all around town, and features a parade and music performances.
The kinds of items available year-round at “Artisans” will include an assortment of original works including paintings, photos, fashion accessories, ceramics, etc. Artists interested in exhibiting their work at “Artisans” will be happy to hear the artwork of individual artists will be featured in a rotating monthly center display. Every artist there will have a placard for their artistic statement, locale and picture.
For more information, go to springvillearts.com, call (716) 592-9038, or go to artscafespringville.com.