Fenimore Art Museum’s 2026 Season: Art, Photography, and American Landscapes

Discover Art, Photography, and American Landscapes During Fenimore Art Museum’s 2026 Season

Cooperstown, NY: Visitors to Cooperstown in 2026 will find an inspiring season of art and culture at Fenimore Art Museum, where a diverse lineup of exhibitions invite guests to explore photography, American landscape painting, historic artworks, and contemporary perspectives—all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Otsego Lake.

Museum Opens April 1st

Opening April 1st, the Museum’s new season begins with Faded Elegance: Portraits of Havana by internationally acclaimed photographer Michael Eastman. On view through December 31, Eastman’s richly colored photographs capture the atmospheric interiors and architecture of Havana, revealing the city’s history and beauty through luminous images filled with texture, color, and nostalgia.

Art and history come together in Pints and Paintings: Thomas Cole and Frederic Church’s Tavern Sign (April 1–May 10). This special exhibition celebrates the 200th birthday of Hudson River School artist Frederic Church and tells the fascinating story of the Bull’s Head Tavern Paintings, believed to have been painted by both Thomas Cole and Church. Through archival research, sketches, and expert analysis, the exhibition sheds light on the artistic collaboration behind this intriguing work.

Also, on view this spring, is Young at Art (April 1–May 10), showcasing imaginative works created by young regional artists and celebrating the creativity of the next generation.

Summer at Fenimore Art Museum brings two major exhibitions beginning May 23rd.

The Linda McCartney Retrospective: From the Light (May 23–September 7) offers a compelling look at the life and work of the celebrated photographer. Linda McCartney (1941–1998) was an exceptional photographer, known for her portraits of musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin and The Beatles. In 1968, she became the first female photographer to have a cover photograph on Rolling Stone magazine. Linda McCartney had a parallel career as a musician. She was an animal rights activist and a passionate advocate of a vegetarian lifestyle, often using her images to support the campaigns that she believed in. The exhibition features McCartney’s photographic exploration and personal elements of her life which she came to share through photography.

Opening the same day, In Nature’s Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting (May 23–September 7) explores how artists have been inspired by the American landscape for more than 200 years. From the Hudson River School to modern interpretations, the exhibition highlights the beauty and power of nature through remarkable works of art.

Autumn 2026

As autumn arrives, Fenimore Art Museum continues its exploration of the natural world with Tranquility and Turbulence: Reflections on the Land (September 19–December 31), examining artists’ responses to the environment within the Museum’s collections and our changing relationship with the land.

Beginning September 26th, local artist Janet Munro, will be featured in a fall-inspired solo show. And it’s the return of our highly anticipated Members’ Showcase, celebrating its 10th year of featuring museum membership artwork from around the region.

Before the season wraps, we will celebrate the opening of the brand-new American Masterworks Gallery, opening this fall.

Experience more

In addition to these special exhibitions, visitors can experience Fenimore’s renowned ongoing displays throughout the year, including Contemporary Women Artists, American Folk Art, American Masterworks, and The Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, one of the most significant collections of its kind in North America.

Fenimore Art Museum is pleased to announce that visitors can now book admission tickets online by going to fenimoreart.org. This new feature will make it easier than ever to plan their visit and experience the Museum’s exhibitions, explore the grounds, and enjoy lunch and delicacies from the Brimstone Café on our lakeside terrace, overlooking Otsego Lake.

For more information and to plan your visit, go to fenimoreart.org.