![A stone from the Masonic Temple that once stood at Clinton Avenue and Mortimer Street. [IMAGE: RGRTA via Democrat & Chronicle]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/stone-from-masonic-temple-rochester.jpg)
In 2012 we were surprised to learn that RGRTA had dug up the foundation of the RKO Palace Theater while excavating for the new transit terminal. This week, Jim Memmott reported on some more fantastic treasures 
that were unearthed at the same site. Some time last year seven heavy stones (some weighing a ton) were pulled up from depths of up to 30 feet below street level. Each stone bore a symbol of the Freemasons…
Archive: ‘Art + Culture’...
RGRTA Digs Up More Buried Treasure: Seven Masonic Stone Carvings
Thursday, January 9th, 2014Tags: Clinton Avenue, construction, downtown Rochester, excavation, Freemasons, Jim Memmott, Masonic Temple, Mortimer Street, RKO Palace Theater, Rochester, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY, RTS Transit Terminal
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 9 Comments »
13 Rochesterians
Monday, December 16th, 2013![13 Rochesterians [PHOTOS BY: Arlene Hodge]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/13-homeless-rochesterians.jpg)
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each… 13x13x13. At some point during the project I decided it’d be much more interesting to open this assignment to anyone who wants to participate. I’m glad I did. The following series of 13 comes from local photographer Arleen Hodge . These are portraits of 13 Rochesterians she’s met on the streets. Arleen says she is grateful to call these people her “friends.”
“They all have stories and they are truly a great bunch of men who are suffering another facet of the human condition,” Arleen reasons. “When I’m shooting underground for a night, these guys look out for me. There are those who are quick to judge… but these would be the guys to jump in and save your life.”
I can think of no better subject for this merry time of year – and less than a week after we were forced to face the facts; that Rochester stands as the fifth poorest city in the United States. It’s not just a city problem. According to that report by The Rochester Area Community Foundation, 160,000 people living within the nine-county region are living in poverty. These are our neighbors. Our friends. These could easily be portraits of you or me…
Tags: 13, 13 Rochesterians, 13x13x13, Arleen Hodge, homeless, House of Mercy, Hudson Avenue, Joseph Avenue, photographer, photography, poverty, Rochester, Rochester charities, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Saint Joe's House of Hospitality, South Avenue
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Urban Exploration | 7 Comments »
Hide Your Kids, Krampus is Coming to Rochester
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013![A FREE community event, 'Breakfast with Krampus' will bring subversive holiday humor to Rochester. [PHOTO: Provided by Eric Rezsnyak]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/breakfast-with-krampus-2013-01.jpg)
Are you sick of the crass commercialism of Christmas? Looking to add a little edge to your holiday festivities? Here’s a free event you won’t want to miss. On Saturday, December 7, at MuCCC (142 Atlantic Ave.) snag breakfast with everyone’s favorite holiday demon, Krampus, and help some needy kids at the same time.
Who the hell is Krampus? I’m glad you asked…
Tags: Eric Rezsnyak, Krampus, Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), Santa, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, The Bloody Noes
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
Happy Holidays! Save on Rochester Subway Posters and Framing
Sunday, November 24th, 2013![Get 20% off the Rochester Subway or Rochester Neighborhoods maps, then take it to Black Radish Studio for 25% off a custom framing job! Happy Holidays! [PHOTO: Black Radish Studio]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-frame-by-black-radish-01.jpg)
If you’re camping outside some big box store in the freezing cold waiting to get trampled in an attempt to grab a “Black Friday deal,” here’s something that may just save your life.
Now thru next Saturday, you can take 20% off the 24×36 Rochester Subway Map, 1928 Rochester Subway Map or the Rochester Neighborhoods Map. But wait, there’s more…
Tags: Black Radish Studio, gift idea, Gift Shop, Rochester, Rochester Subway map, Rochester Subway Poster, subway gifts
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Gifts | No Comments »
13 T-Shirts
Thursday, November 21st, 2013![13 Rochester T-shirts [PHOTO: Tiny Fish Printing]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/13-rochester-tshirts.jpg)
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each… 13x13x13. Turns out this was much more work than I thought. So I’ve been accepting submissions from others. Today’s series of 13 comes to us from Tiny Fish Printing , a custom apparel printing company located near the public market.
T-shirts are an American staple. We all have our favorite one that we wear until our belly button shows through. They’re a great way to show our support for our favorite local institutions… restaurants, bands, clubs, etc. They allow us to show off our creative side, even we don’t have a creative bone in our body. And best of all, they keep us from being naked.
Uh, ok… Let’s just take a look at 13 awesome local t-shirt designs…
Tags: 13 T-shirts, 13x13x13, art, Flatline, graphic design, Hell On Earth, Ice Nine Kills (INK), Juan & Maria's Empanada Stop, Kink Bike, Montezuma Winery, Old Skull Skate Boards, Outlaw, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester, Rochester Brainery, Rochester NY, t-shirts, The Sunstreak, Tiny Fish Printing, Whoopzip Clothing, Wildflowers & Wine
Posted in Art + Culture | 2 Comments »
Sculpey House Ornaments
Friday, November 8th, 2013
Are you looking for gift ideas this holiday season? Here’s one that’s sure to fill any proud homeowner with good cheer. Local artist Kimberly Kllc DiPietro makes awesome little house ornaments out of Sculpey®! There can’t possibly be a better way to commemorate one’s home than with America’s favorite oven-baked clay…
Tags: 19th Ward, 19th Ward neighborhood, Aberdeen Street, architecture, art, Christmas, gift idea, Kimberly Kllc DiPietro, Sculpey house ornaments
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Gifts | No Comments »
Durand Eastman Park and the Lady In White
Friday, October 25th, 2013![Durand-Eastman Park, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-durand-eastman-park-01.jpg)
Durand-Eastman Park. So peaceful and picturesque. This time of year the autumn colors are brilliant. And the water is so calm and reflective; the landscape seems to gently float up into the sky. This could be heaven.
On the edge of one great Lake Ontario, two much smaller lakes, Durand and Eastman are named for the two men who donated the land for this beautiful park. In the early 1900’s Dr. Henry S. Durand owned a summer camp here. He and his friend George Eastman saw a need for a public park with access to the beach. So they bought a number of farms around the Durand property, and in 1907 they offered the land to the City of Rochester.
But to willingly give away this place, I have to believe Dr. Durand knew contained something that was not quite right. Maybe something terrifying…
Tags: Durand Eastman Park, Durand Eastman Park refectory, Durand Lake, Eastman Lake, Eelissa, Frank LaLoggia, ghost, ghost story, Jenni Lynn, Lady In White, Lady of the Lake, Lake Ontario, Rochester, Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, Rochester NY, Three Lakes Pavilion
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 55 Comments »
Take the “Slow Road” Across New York
Wednesday, October 16th, 2013![Benjamin Woelk wants to produce a grassroots travel documentary series called 'Slow Road.' [PHOTO: Provided]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/benjamin-woelk-slow-road-01.jpg)
If you’re like me, and you enjoy exploring local places most people overlook, here’s a neat project you might want to support. Benjamin Woelk (30, Rochester) and Jason Darnieder (Flower City Media) are working on a documentary travel series that focuses on exploring upstate and western N.Y. He’s calling the project “Slow Road” – a documentary series dedicated to sustaining community, preserving the past, and exploring America’s roads less traveled…
Tags: Auburn, Benjamin Woelk, Buffalo, Erie Canal, Flower City Media, Ithaca, Jason Darnieder, Kickstarter, movie, Oswego, Rochester, Slow Road, Syracuse, travel, upstate New York, video, western New York
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Video | 4 Comments »
FUN FOTO FRIDAY: RachBarnhart Makes the Men’s Room Wall
Friday, September 20th, 2013![Writing on the wall of the men's room at the Rochester Public Market. [PHOTO: RocPX.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rachbarnhart-gives-good-tweet-censored.jpg)
My friend over at RocPX.com snapped this photo in the men’s room at the Rochester Public Market. Now, I know Rachel Barnhart and I consider her a good friend. So I really don’t want to spread rumors… NAAAH! That’s what the internet is for. Here’s what it says..
Tags: @RachBarnhart, Fun Foto Friday, Graffiti, Rachel Barnhart, Rochester Public Market, Twitter
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Images | No Comments »
Greentopia Film Festival Returns; Bigger & Better
Monday, August 26th, 2013![This year's Greentopia Film Festival will feature an array of unique films and equally unique screening locations; such as the roof of 1 Capron Street. [PHOTO: Jason Schwingle, TheRochesteriat.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/greentopia-2013-rooftop-screening.jpg)
In just its third year the Greentopia Film Festival (September 10-15th) has grown to become the second largest documentary film festival in New York State. Filmmakers’ submissions to the 2013 event were triple the number of those received in 2012, coming in from 31 countries on six continents. Of those films selected as features, four will have their New York State premieres at Greentopia – revealing themselves to Rochester audiences even before New York City moviegoers can see them…
Tags: A Will for the Woods, Dear Governor Cuomo, Green Visions, Greentopia Festival, Greentopia Film, Greentopia Urban Forest Cinema, Kidtopia, Maiden Trip, Manhattan Square Park, The Human Scale
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | No Comments »
The Northeast Regional Beard and Moustache Championships
Wednesday, August 21st, 2013![On Saturday, August 17th the Rochester Beardsmen Society hosted the Northeast Regional Beard and Moustache Championships at Water Street Music Hall. [PHOTO: Chris Clemens]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/beard-and-moustache-championships-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Chris Clemens.
Submit your story today.
On Saturday, August 17th the Rochester Beardsmen Society hosted the Northeast Regional Beard and Moustache Championships at Water Street Music Hall in downtown Rochester, NY. Competitors from the U.S. and Canada assembled to show off their facial hair and compete in 17 in different categories to determine who’s facial follicles could produce the top ranking tufts…
Tags: Austin Facial Hair Club, Beard and Moustache Championships, Chris Clemens, Growin’ A Beard, Jack Passion, Jack Schifano, Mo-vember Campaign, Rochester, Rochester NY, Water Street Music Hall, Whisker Wars
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News | No Comments »
The Rochester African-American Landmarks Project Needs Your Help
Monday, August 19th, 2013![African-American dancers among the performers at Bardos' Inn in Gates, N.Y. c1930-1935 [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone Collection]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/african-american-dancers-rochester-1930s.jpg)
The Landmark Society is reaching out to the Rochester community to gather facts, events, places, and stories that have been important in the lives of ordinary African-Americans in Rochester. We need your help with this important project…
Tags: African-American history, African-American landmarks, Austin Seward, Landmark Society of Western New York, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
A Minute with Rochester Ukulele Orchestra (and SpongeBob)
Friday, August 16th, 2013![Sponge Bob at High Falls? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/sponge-bob-at-high-falls.jpg)
Every Thursday during the summer months, Hochstein Music School puts on a free concert at High Falls’ Granite Mills Park. Can you believe yesterday was the last concert for 2013?! CURSE YOU, SUMMER! YOU’RE TOO SHORT!
Anyway, as a fun Friday diversion, I thought I’d share just a minute of video from this final performance with the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra. (co-starring: Old Man SpongeBob, Dancing Elvis Kid, and Jumpy Jumping Guy)…
Tags: Granite Mills Park, High Falls, Hochstein at High Falls, Hochstein Music School, music, Rochester Ukulele Orchestra, SpongeBob SquarePants, ukulele, video
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images | 3 Comments »
The Little Free Libraries of Rochester, NY
Wednesday, August 14th, 2013![The Little Free Libraries of Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Chris Clemens]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-free-library-00.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Chris Clemens.
Submit your story today.
In an effort to promote literacy and the love of reading, two businessmen out of the Mid-West have been operating a grassroots, ground up neighborhood rallying effort to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to read. Since 2009 the group has been making available little wooden stands that at first glance look like large birdhouses, but are actually little, free libraries…
Tags: Arbor Drive, books, Chestnut Hill Road, Chris Clemens, free stuff, Freebies, Hartsville Lane, library, little free libraries, little free library, Newcrest Drive, Rochester, Rochester NY, The Curious and Uncommon, Whitlock Road
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | 5 Comments »
The Walls of El Camino
Friday, August 9th, 2013![Art from the Wall Therapy project along Rochester's El Camino Trail. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/wall-therapy-el-camino-trail-rochester.jpg)
I went to a big expensive university to study art for four years. I’ve traveled to Italy and marveled at the work of the great masters. I’ve gone out of my way to tip-toe through all the fancy art museums and galleries in New York and Toronto.
Earlier in the week I rode my bike down Rochester’s El Camino Trail. I’m not sure why, but art has never taken my breath away quite like this…
Tags: art, El Camino Trail, Graffiti, mural, Rochester, Rochester NY, street art, urban parks & trails, Wall-Therapy
Posted in Art + Culture, Opinion, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
13 Works of Art… On Traffic Signal Boxes
Wednesday, July 17th, 2013
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment: Take 13 snapshots of 13 different subjects. Early on, someone suggested I do a series of traffic signal boxes – you know, the ones with the murals painted on them? At first I thought the idea was a little too obvious. I also thought many of the murals to be a little cliché. But soon I began to notice these things everywhere I looked. And then I felt like I couldn’t not do it.
While they may not be master works of art, these murals are definitely a unique part of our landscape. Some of them are kind of folksy; some are tongue-in-cheek; and many tell a story about the neighborhood. So, with the help of my friend Nicholas Swann , here are 13 of our favorite murals on traffic signal boxes…
Oh, and you’ll notice an extra one at the end. I’ve decided to paint one in my own neighborhood. You can tell me what you think…
Tags: 13, 13 traffic signal boxes, 13x13x13, art, mural, Nicholas Swann, public art, Rochester, Rochester NY, street art, traffic signal box mural
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Images | 17 Comments »
Sand Sculpting at Charlotte Beach, 1922
Friday, June 28th, 2013
How’s this for a summertime Fun Foto Friday? This is Robert Pernell. He’s a sand artist. Or was. This photo was printed in the Rochester Herald on August 6, 1922. Robert used to entertain the crowds at Charlotte Beach with his larger-than-life creations…
Tags: Atlantic City, Charlotte, Charlotte Beach, Fun Foto Friday, history of Rochester, old photos, old photos of Rochester, Ontario Beach, Ontario Beach Park, Robert Pernell, Rochester, Rochester history, rochester images, Rochester NY, sand art, sand sculpture, World Championship of Sand Sculpting
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 2 Comments »
13 Houses of Worship
Monday, June 24th, 2013
In 2013 I gave myself a photo assignment. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each. Simple. Right? I thought so. I started in February with 13 mailboxes and followed up with 13 storefronts. And that’s where I left off. Sometimes I just can’t keep up with my own crazy ideas. Luckily, my good friend Chris Clemens from The Burned Over District blog has stepped in to help me out with 13 houses of worship. The following images (in no particular order) are from all over the Rochester region. They add yet another dimension to this portrait of us…
Tags: 13 houses of worship, 13x13x13, church, First Church of Christ Scientist, First Unitarian Church (UUA), Gurdwara of Rochester (Sikhism), Islamic Center of Rochester (Islam), Megiddo Church (Christian Restorationists), Mormon Temple (Mormonism), mosque, Plymouth Spiritualist Church (Spiritualism), Protection of Our Mother Of God Russian Orthodox Church (Russian Orthodox), Rochester, Rochester NY, St. Lukes and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church (Episcopal), St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic), synagogue, temple, Temple B'rith Kodesh (Reformed Judasim), The Hindu Temple of Rochester (Hinduism), Two Saints Church, Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham (Buddhism)
Posted in Art + Culture, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images | 10 Comments »
Manhattan Square Park Mural Erased
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013![The City recently painted over this mural, a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for probably 30 years. [PHOTO: Kristen Cavanaugh]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/manhattan-square-park-mural.jpg)
I haven’t been able to find anyone who knows exactly when this mural was painted, but it’s been a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for at least 30 years, says Charles Moreland, Executive Director of Rochester Parkour . The outdoor venue has been mostly abandoned for the past 10 years, but its concrete walls and irregular geometry make it ideal for practicing the fine art of Parkour. Charles’ group can often be found moving throughout the park. Yesterday Charles noticed the mural had been covered with a fresh coat of gray paint…
Tags: art, Charles Moreland, Chestnut Street, City of Rochester, downtown Rochester, Fringe Festival, Gay Alliance, Graffiti, Ian Wilson, Manhattan Square Park, mural, Roc Pride Festival, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Parkour, Wall-Therapy
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 18 Comments »
High Falls Visitor Center Will Close, June 30
Sunday, April 7th, 2013![High Falls Visitor Center will be closing at the end of June. [PHOTO: Wayne Senville, Flickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/center-at-high-falls-01.jpg)
Sally Wood Winslow has operated the High Falls Visitor Center , gift shop, and art gallery for 20 years. During that time she has personally greeted every single visitor with a boisterous “HELLO THERE! Welcome to the Visitor Center at High Falls!!” And, she has become a very good friend of mine, so this one hurts me personally. Today Sally announced the visitor center and gallery will be closing on June 30…
Tags: Browns Race, Center at High Falls, GardenAerial, High Falls Visitor Center, Sally Wood Winslow, sunken garden
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | 23 Comments »
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