2020 Celebrating 20 Years

The Cooperative Gallery 213 is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a February exhibit that includes most of the approximately 60 artists who have been exhibiting members. Opening on First Friday Feb. 7th and continuing until Feb. 29th, the show will be hung salon style to accommodate the art submitted. Judy Salton, a founding member, observes, “The Cooperative Gallery has been a progressive force for downtown Binghamton and this is a celebration of the artists that were part of that arts community.” The gallery is regularly open Fridays 3-6 pm and Saturdays 12-4 at its 213 State St. location in downtown Binghamton.

The Cooperative Gallery was formed in early 2000 after a successful pop-up gallery in December 1999. At the time there was only one other independent gallery (the Art Mission) and that block of State Street was virtually abandoned. Several galleries sprang up on the street and other businesses as well, and in 2004 the First Friday Art Walk, sponsored by Gorgeous Washington Assoc. transformed the visual arts scene. Peg Johnston, also a founder of the Gallery, said, “Artists made the neighborhood cool to visit and soon other arts enterprises, restaurants, coffee shops, and a whole foods store followed.  First Friday instantly attracted crowds which were numerous and continue to be popular to this day.”

The gallery has grown from 7 members to 27 exhibiting members and 50 supporting members. Its success rests on the work of its members who staff the gallery and maintain a sustainable gallery. The Cooperative Gallery has new shows every month, and an all member Holiday show, and with the Two Rivers Photography Club, sponsors the Bob Johnston Photography Competition every January. The gallery, which recently catalogued 20 years of its history is also known for its collaborative shows including TRASH! Eco Art, the 9-11 Show, the Homeless Show, the Zoo show and Book Arts, among others. For more information, visit their website, www.cooperativegallery.com.