YONKERS ARTS WEEKEND AT CMAD
Discover the Magic of Yonkers Arts Weekend at the Carpet Mills Arts District
Yonkers Arts Weekend is an annual, city-wide celebration that transforms our streets into a vibrant canvas of creativity. From soaring murals to intimate gallery showcases, this event brings together the best of our local talent and the community that sustains it.
As a cornerstone of the festivities, the Carpet Mills Arts District (CMAD) serves as a premier destination in its own right. CMAD offers a curated journey through industrial-chic spaces filled with immersive exhibitions, live performances, and hands-on activities designed to elevate your weekend. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious neighbor, we can’t wait to welcome you to the heart of the Yonkers arts scene!
YOHO ARTISTS OPEN STUDIO
Join us for the 22nd Annual YOHO Open Studios, a cornerstone of Yonkers Arts Weekend, happening May 16 - May 17 from 11 AM - 5 PM. This special event invites you to explore the studios of over 80 artists working in a wide range of mediums—from painting and sculpture to photography, textiles, ceramics, and more all under one roof at the historic YOHO Artist Studios. Visitors will have the rare chance to meet the artists, view and purchase original works, and experience the creative energy that makes this community so unique. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the region’s most vibrant artistic hubs!
17TH ANNUAL YONKERS ARTIST SHOWCASE
Celebrate the diversity and talent of Yonkers’ creative community at the Yonkers Artist Showcase, a featured exhibition during Yonkers Arts Weekend 2026. Hosted at the Yonkers Arts Project Space, this dynamic group show highlights works in all mediums—including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and digital art—from both emerging and established local artists. The showcase offers a powerful glimpse into the city's thriving art scene, reflecting a range of voices, visions, and styles. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the artistic heart of Yonkers in one inspiring space.
The gallery is open on May 16 and May 17 from 11 AM - 5 PM.
MURAL FESTIVAL AT CMAD
The Mural Festival at CMAD once again brings the district’s walls to life with vibrant, large-scale works created in real time. On May 16th - 17th from 11 AM - 5 PM, watch as a talented lineup of local and visiting artists transform buildings and public spaces across the Carpet Mills Arts District with bold, colorful murals. This live painting event celebrates street art as a powerful form of storytelling and community expression, adding new energy to the city’s growing public art scene.
Come witness creativity in action and see art unfold before your eyes!
THE MILLS OPEN STUDIOS
Saturday, May 16 and Sunday May 17 from 11 AM - 5 PM at The Mills at 530 Nepperhan Ave
FOUNDATIONS EXHIBITION AND ARTIST TALK
Come and experience the FOUNDATIONS Exhibition and Artist talk, an exhibition and experience that acknowledges and honors the history of the creative journey and the importance of a solid foundation on which to build creative success. The exhibition will be on view on May 16 and May 17 from 11 AM - 5 PM at the Mills at 530 Nepperhan Ave.
THE BASEMENT
The BASEMENT is an experience for the community to witness the creative process from the ground up as they paint a one-of-a-kind piece right before their eyes! The experience will give you an inside view of an artist's creative process. This is taking place at The Mills at 530 Nepperhan on Saturday, May 16, from 11 AM - 5 PM.
YONKERS COLLAB EXCHANGE
Experience the intersection of streetwear, art, and culture! We’re tranforming The Lab, located at 578 Nepperhan Ave, into a full-blown creative hub for two days of immersive talent and community vibes. Whether you’re looking for fresh ink, a sharp fade or a family-friendly afternoon, the Collab Exchange is the place to be.
The weekend offers something for everyone, including a dedicated Kids Corner sponsored by @jj.pizzaria_ and @evolutiondetailingstudiony to keep the little ones entertained with fun-filled activities. Whether you’re here for the live art or the community vibes, you won't want to miss this takeover. Admission is completely free, so be sure to secure your spot and RSVP here: https://posh.vip/series/yonkers-collab-exchange-2026-1
ARTS WESTCHESTER ARTS MOBILE
The Arts Westchester Mobile Van will be in the interior parking lot of the YOHO Studios from 12 PM - 3 PM on Saturday, May 16. This year’s workshop will be a printmaking workshop for all ages. Come and create a piece of art to take home with you while watching the Mural Festival at CMAD!
POETS & AUTHORS FESTIVAL
Celebrate the power of the written and spoken word at the Poets and Authors Festival, an official highlight of the Yonkers creative calendar. Hosted by the Yonkers Arts Poet in Residence, Tom Ray, this festival serves as a premier stage for the voices shaping our city’s contemporary literary landscape. From raw, rhythmic performance art to profound lyrical storytelling, this showcase gathers the region's most compelling writers for an afternoon of deep connection and cultural reflection.
This year’s festival features a heavyweight lineup of celebrated poets and authors, including the visionary Phylli V, the evocative S. Rose, and the sharp, rhythmic insights of S. Dot Worsmith. Joining them is the legendary Ibrahim Siddiq, aka POET, ensuring a diverse range of styles that bridge the gap between classic literature and modern street poetry. Join us to witness the transformative power of language in an environment designed to inspire the writer in everyone.
YONKERS ARTS FASHION SHOW
Elevate your Yonkers Art Weekend experience with a premier showcase of local style and craftsmanship. Join us at the Yonkers Arts Space on Saturday, May 16th, from 5 PM to 7 PM for a dynamic runway event that bridges the gap between fine art and functional fashion. This curated show features a diverse collection of contemporary, urban, and casual wear designed for men, women, and children, with a special emphasis on the innovation of upcycled clothing.
The showcase highlights an elite roster of local visionaries, featuring Yoho Artists Marion Kass and Marco, alongside Joe Corbalis of Westchester Fashion Week in collaboration with Linda Mendelson. Together, these designers bring a unique perspective to the runway, blending high-fashion sensibilities with street-ready aesthetics. Don't miss this exclusive window into the future of Yonkers’ fashion scene—where sustainability meets local soul.
OLDPLAY AT SIMPLE MOTIVE BREWING
Crowd pleasing Rock from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s at Simple Motive Brewing, located at 222 Lake Ave, on Saturday, May 16 from 7 PM - 10 PM.
INTERACTIVE MURAL PAINTING AND CRAFTS
Simple Motive Brewing is involving the community for Yonkers Arts Weekend with artist Erica Soto of Enjoy Erica Art Studio!
Come paint this mural with us for FREE and enjoy a take-home treasure chest! This interactive experience invites kids to dive into mural finger painting, express themselves freely, and be part of a colorful community art piece.
Each child will also decorate their own treasure box to take home as a special keepsake. This event is taking place on Sunday, May 17 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
THE LIBRARY JAZZ BAND
Immerse yourself in the rhythmic heart of the community as The Library Jazz Band takes over the Yonkers Arts Project Space on Sunday, May 17. Located at 216 Lake Ave, this day-long residency invites you to experience the evolution of jazz, from intimate acoustic pairings to high-energy soul ensembles. Whether you are a lifelong aficionado or a casual listener, join us for a series of performances that celebrate the rich, improvisational spirit of the city.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Piano & Guitar Duo Kick off the afternoon with an elegant, stripped-back session. This intimate duo sets the mood with intricate melodies and sophisticated harmonies, perfect for a midday cultural escape.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Jazz & Spoken Word Experience the powerful intersection of rhythm and rhyme. Led by pianist Rocco Dapice and featuring the voices of Tom Ray and Phylisha Villanueva, this session blends the Library Jazz Band’s rhythm section with poignant spoken word for a truly multidisciplinary performance.
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM | Little Big Band Sunday Soul Close out the day with a high-octane tribute to blues, R&B, and soul jazz. Led by tenor saxophonist Matt Garrison, this ensemble of seasoned pros dives into the "Little Big Band" songbook—featuring favorites from legends like Lee Morgan, Cannonball Adderley, and Hank Mobley.