u/LemonMelon_426

I don’t want to leave a negative aura by just shitting on Expressive Avenue and walking out, I want to highlight some really great local places that DO help the art community instead of taking advantage of it and letting AI slop vendors into the mix.

Lancaster Art Vault (And Art Walk)- An art gallery and studio space that holds fun events and goes out of their way to highlight local artists.

Mayhem’s- Fun little DND themed coffee/bookstore hybrid that lets local artists vend their work on the walls.

Farbo Co./The Midnight Oil- Another DND themed (and queer owned) coffee shop that is consolidating with its sister shop very soon in the old Rainbow Thrift location.

West Art- I can’t even begin to describe how cool this place is. Coffee during the morning day, beer at night. Social space, live music, weddings, etc. It used to be an old church so the architecture and setup is cool. And the staff is very kind.

Witch’s Brew Art Market- An eclectic art market that happens a few times a year at West Art.

Big Bloom- If you’re looking to get into the local art scene and vend for free, this is your place. Adam and Eli are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The location moves around, look into @thebigbloomssam on IG

Side Quest Art Market at Meduseld Meadery- The talented artist Korvin Grym sets this one up and it’s also free to vend, with a deposit.

No Kings Tattoo Collective- Tattoo studio with some incredible tattoo artists that let local fine artists sell their work on the walls.

Endo Cafe- The original “cannabis cafe” with good drinks that rotates a featured artist.

Hempfield Apothetique- They have lots of community gatherings, “paint and smoke” events, and some live music/drag events.

GROUNDWRK- The studio of the talented local artist Andrew Silvius.

Feel free to add more in the comments!

Expressive Avenue, opening soon on Columbia Ave, seemed like a cool place at first, but it’s a shame they don’t seem to have very high standards when it comes to the kind of vendors they allow in. There are a good amount of talented artists, but it’s overrun with a bunch of AI “art” which really brings down the vibe. Also a ton of Christian Nationalist/ “live laugh love” crap, many which overlaps with the AI use I noticed. Waste of time, they’re contributing to the overall AI problem by letting these “artists” rent space.