CNY Arts has partnered with Chashama, a New York City-based art organization committed to providing affordable venues for artists to exhibit their work. In collaboration with the City of Syracuse, and additional support from the Central New York Community Foundation, CNY Arts and Chashama have repurposed the City Hall Commons Atrium, located across from Hanover Square, to provide a multidisciplinary gallery and programming space for Central New York Artists. In addition to providing subsidies, Chashama is also actively involved in the transformation and the management of each space. Support provided by Chashama covers administrative fees, costs associated with buildouts and accessibility improvements, and artist honorariums, too. In Persian, Chashama means “inspiration.” Founded in 1995 by performing artist Anita Durst, Chashama partners with property owners to convert unused real estate for a variety of creative applications, including exhibits, classes, and studios, specifically emphasizing access and equity for artists who may not otherwise have an opportunity to share their work with the public or develop their craft in a functional workspace. The grant from Chashama will enable CNY Arts to implement a diverse program schedule and broaden visibility for resident Syracuse artists by providing new opportunities for access and exhibition.
NEW Exhibit, MISS, Up Through Friday, August 31!
⊹₊♚₊⊹ MISS is an interdisciplinary project between artist Jess Petrylak and delegates of the Miss Finger Lakes & Miss Upstate New York Organization (Miss FLUNY), preliminary competition to Miss New York and Miss America
Exhibition reception: THIS FRIDAY, August 14, 2026, 6-8 PM
The exhibition examines how women create, inherit and perform identity through family lineage, cultural influence, childhood imagination and pageantry systems. Central to the project are behind-the-scenes photographs and materials gathered during the regional Miss FLUNY and Miss FLUNY Teen competitions this past January 2026. Through delegate captured imagery, archival ephemera, poetry, projection and a live set by DJ samdiowise, MISS reframes pageantry and the feminine experience not as spectacle alone, but as a rehearsal space for confidence, leadership, aspiration and emerging myth-making amongst young women. All proceeds from the exhibition benefit the Miss FLUNY Scholarship Organization.
Seersucker, Cigars, & Sundresses
Happening this Saturday, August 15 @ 5-10 PM
A night of culture, connection, cigars & class. Join Good Time Gang for our signature garden party—live music, a DJ, fine cigars, craft cocktails, and an evening of networking under the string lights. This is the weekend’s marquee event, and the dress code says it all: Shades of Brown.
Black Excellence. Timeless Style. Unforgettable Vibes.
As we continue to elevate the event, we are seeking to collaborate with CNY Arts to transform the Atrium into an immersive art exhibit, creating a dynamic intersection of fashion, cigars, music, and visual art that enhances the overall guest experience and celebrates local creativity. No smoking or drinking will be conducted inside the premises.
79th Pakistan Independence Day
Happening this Sunday, August 16 @ 1-4 PM
Dear Friends,
With great pleasure, the Pakistani Community of CNY invites you to join us in celebrating the 79th Pakistan Independence Day on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
We will begin at the City Hall Steps at 1:00 PM with the flag‑raising ceremony, followed by a cultural celebration at the Atrium at 2:00 PM.
Please see the attached invitation for complete event details. Kindly RSVP here https://forms.gle/xiUa3L1qeeW1vHBw9
We look forward to celebrating with you.
Interested in using the Art in the Atrium space?
Gallery Programming is an essential part of the Art in the Atrium mission. If you are interested in doing programming at the Atrium, please fill out the form below. The form outlines our capabilities and limitations. Following your submission, we will review your request and discuss its feasibility. We will then reach out to you to begin planning your programming. Please note: filling out a request does not guarantee we can accommodate your event. We look forward to reading your submissions. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.
For applicants interested in programming, please note: Art in the Atrium is a free community art and culture space made available by a partnership between Chashama and CNY Arts. CNY Arts is not solely responsible for marketing approved programs. CNY Arts can only help to amplify messaging about Atrium events.
Approved programs are responsible for audience development, including producing their own collateral, leveraging their own mailing lists, updating their own social media, and posting their event to the CNY Arts online calendar.
Sponsors
