Picture this: A comfortabley lit brewery in the heart of Batavia. The year was 2022, and the air was thick with more than just the aroma of craft beer and creative possibility. What started as a simple "art schmoozer" at Eli Fish Brewing Company would accidentally spark a revolution that would forever change how Western New York discovers and celebrates its artistic talent.
The Spark That Ignited Everything
It was supposed to be just another networking night. We invited local artists to bring one piece of their work to share with fellow creators. No competitions, no critiques, no gatekeepers deciding whose art
was "worthy" of attention. Just artists, their work, and genuine human connection flowing as freely as Eli Fish'sfinest brews. But something magical happened that night. As artists gathered around each piece, sharing stories and honest appreciation, we witnessed something rare in today's art world: No gallery owner was deciding which piece deserved the spotlight. No critic was determining artistic merit. Instead, the community—fellow creators, art lovers, friends, and strangers—were naturally gravitating toward work that moved them, challenged them, inspired them.
The revelation hit like lightning: What if the people who live with art, love art, and support artists daily were the ones choosing which artists deserved recognition?
From Brewery Night to Artistic Movement
That evening at Eli Fish planted a seed that has grown into something extraordinary. The People's Choice Showcase was born from the radical belief that community is needed, and that every artist deserves a platform where their work can speak directly to the hearts of those who matter most.
Batavia sits at the perfect crossroads between Rochester's vibrant urban art scene and Buffalo's renaissance cultural district. We could create something unprecedented: an arts network that connects communities through the power of
collective choice.
Today, The People's Collective is poised to be a central location for Western New York's most inclusive celebration of artistic talent. Local and Regional artists from the WNY Area can showcase their work in a show as creative as the work you'll view event night. We're building an arts ecosystem that connects artists across WNY, elevates overlooked talent through creative gallery exhibitions, recognition, support artists through direct sales opportunities, and celebrates the diverse voices that make our region culturally rich.
Your Voice Shapes the Future
The community experiences, appreciates, and votes for the pieces that move them most. Winners are determined not by industry insiders, but by the collective voice of art lovers, supporters, and fellow creators.
Are you an artist? Your creative expression deserves to be seen, celebrated, and validated by the community
you share. The People's Choice Showcase isn't just an event—it's your platform to connect directly with people who appreciate authentic artistic expression.
Are you an art lover? Your taste matters. Your vote shapes which artists receive recognition, exposure, and support. You're not just attending an event—you're participating in cultural curation that impacts real artists' lives and careers.
The Next Chapter Starts With You
That spontaneous evening at Eli Fish proved something powerful: when we eliminate barriers and trust
communities to recognize great art, extraordinary things happen. Artists find their audience.
Communities discover hidden talents. The entire cultural landscape becomes more vibrant, inclusive,
and authentic. What started with one piece of art
and one night of honest appreciation has become a revolution.
From one brewery night to a regional movement. From a handful of artists to a network spanning WNY.
The People's Collective continues that legacy while expanding it across Western New York.
This is where democracy meets artistry. This is where your voice shapes the future of community arts.
Ready to Join the Revolution?
If you're an artist ready to put your work in front of a community that actually gets to choose, your next exhibition isn't in some exclusive gallery—it's in front of the people who matter most: your community.
Register now and let your art speak directly to those who will celebrate it. If you know an artist whose work deserves wider recognition, share this opportunity with them.
Every artist who joins our showcase makes our entire creative community stronger.
Because the best art doesn't need gatekeepers—it needs communities that support their artist friends, family and neighbors.
Join us. The next chapter of Western New York's
artistic story starts with you.
