Hungerford Building

I never would have known what the Hungerford Building was if i didn’t see this event on Unilocal!Pulling up through the outside, you come to this giant warehouse-​like building. The closer you get to the building, the more local business you start to recognize through the windows. As soon as I saw the sign for «eat me» ice-​cream, my fear of being in another foreign place eluded me. The building itself is so large I did not get past the 4^th floor. Therefor, this will only be Part I of my review. Right from the starting gate Unilocal!Breanna B. is there to greet you, where you know your about to begin on a mission. Welcome to the Hungerford Games– a Unilocal!4 story scavenger hunt! You have to literally check through a list of random items (see pictures), which are all placed in the artists’ studios. Unilocal!tip-​Start at the 4^th floor, and work your way down the building. It was long, and I only made it half-​way through the list. Working with the artists to figure out the items in the scavenger hunt gave me a glimpse into the life of each one. Walking around I realized that this building is the central hub for artists, craftspeople, and businesses. My favorite part of the building was starring out the back window of a friends studio looking out at the awesome view of the rail-​road tracks The Hungerford Building First Friday Open House is an amazing time filled with food, friends, wine, and local artists. Remember it’s the First Friday of EVERY month. Even though I did not win the hunt this time around, let’s breakdown the highlighted best parts of the 4^th Floor in the Hungerford Building.
Main Street Artists’ Gallery & Studio/​Suzi Zefting-​Kuhn Artworks: this was a beautifully laid out art studio. It included classic art tables, chairs, and paint boards. Suzi Zefting’s personality shines through in not only herself, but also in her artwork. Her art gives you a variety of textures, and perspectives to look at. The studio just kept expanding with its polished hardware floors. There I wandered into another room FILLED with delicious pastries! I have died and gone to bakery heaven. One the nice ladies gave me a tip, «go for the orange creamsicle cupcakes in the corner». Genius, it was fluffy vanilla flavored inside with a perfect non-​overly sweet orange creamsicle frosting. The Strawberry Tarts really made you feel like a flake. It was cut nicely down the middle with that tart crunch. The strawberry purée was nicely blended evenly inside the tart. Finally, the ladies rolled up a deli cart cut with fresh meats filled with Asiago cheese inside.
Experience Craftsmanship with David Lane Design: The smell of leather coming from David’s shop was intoxicating. He has quite the assortment of leather products for all your needs. It’s a neat workshop, where his business has expanded to this bigger studio on the 4^th Floor. This space gives David more room to lay-​out his GIANT sheets of real leather.
Michael Pigott– This artist had an amazing gallery filled with paintings of the translucent sky. You can stare through these paintings for hours. The paintings gave you that peaceful feeling at that moment in your sub-​conscience.
Black Cat Gallery with Tim Mack: Tim had served wine from Vista Point which tasted great, cause who does not like a semi-​sweet white wine. Tim’s collection looked like neat cartoons of real life still objects around the whole room. With a glass of wine in my hand, it was hard to stop starring at the drawings.
Enkyoji Buddhist Temple: the monks set up a beautiful temple in this studio. Right away you are introduced to Budda, and the proper way to greet him. Don’t worry Budda comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and this one was tiny. The monks do an excellent job of educating you about Buddhism, and the spirituality of your soul. You leave here thinking of your life in an ever-​evolving circle.
Overall:Huge Building. Talented Artists, Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes, Leather, Home-​Made Soap, Unilocal!Scavenger Hunt, Finger Lakes Wine, HUGE Studios, and Plenty of Fun… I did not finish yet, of course I will be back.

Stopped here a few weeks back for first Friday. Always meant to stop here to see what the scene was… wow there are a lot more studios here than I imagined (though maybe only ½ at best were open on FF, which was enough). Some very interesting art and artists. Seems like a typical artist building but I’m not sure I’d want to work here since the place felt like a potential fire trap… Parking was a bit tight esp. since the mountains of snow were still present and the big FF crowds.

Another great spot in Rochester to spend an evening (or afternoon) when all of the studios are open. Hungerford has really become a great place over the last few years — it used to be a little sparse but has really filled up with so many different spots. I have some favorite studios, but they are all great. I tend to alternate first Fridays between Hungerford and Anderson Alley, there is always new stuff in both buildings. Parking here can be a little tricky if you aren’t used to the area, but I always just park in the street across from the area and take a short walk.

I can’t think of any experience in Rochester quite like this. I highly recommend the First Friday open house. It’s such a kick, around every corner you enter or pass an intriguing studio that holds a person’s passion, be it clay, metal, pipe cleaners, silk. Have an open mind, a sense of humor and your adventure pants on, the complimentary wine or snacks don’t hurt either.

For the first time in my life, I had the opportunity to showcase my photos here at the Grass Roots Gallery… so naturally I go to explore the entire Hungerford Building in one night… which just happened to be the First Friday. The building is divided into several different galleries in two seperate buildings, even though they are attached, they have seperate entrances so make sure you know where you are going unless you want to get lost.
The building itself is very old and shows it’s age well since it used to be an old company way back in the day. What makes this inetersting is that most of the cool features from the past are still operating. The service elevator can still be rod for free but be nice and give the guy running it a tip, he does his job well.
The galleries are mostly on the fourth, third, and second floors which are wonderfully full of life on the First Friday. With so many galleries open, I viewed many without paying attention to what they were called… poor choice but because they had free refreshments and music, it was hard to resist.
It is wonderful to see that with every gallery comes with different features. I can say that they range from exotic artwork and photography too porcelain cups and bizaare sculptures. As a gallery is, you are able to purchase art here even though I didn’t. It’s not because the prices were bad… they were actually good, but because I had no need for it. The owners who operate these galleries are friendly in their own ways but sometimes it’s easy to tell when they want to persuade you to buy thier art.
Why is this not highly rated? Well it’s because of two reasons. The major one is that on every other Friday that isn’t the first, it can get quite empty which for being a warehouse, makes it feel eerie. Secondly, this IS a warehouse. I don’t have a problem with that but I can see why this would turn some people off. There is no modern touches whatsoever outside of the galleries and in most locations, claustrophibics might start to get uneasy wandering the cold narrow hallways of the upper floors.
Bad as it might be, my first experience here was more than positive. There is no doubt in my mind that I would return… with a bigger wallet.

There are so many different/​amazing studios at The Hungerford. The best way to see a lot in one fell swoop is to go on First Friday.
On First Friday when several of the studios are open, it’s like a neighborhood boutique crawl all inside, which makes it perfect for the wintertime. A lot of the studios lay out snacks, drinks, and treats, which is a nice way to greet their guests.
It’s a great way to find fun, unique gifts if you need to mix things up.
A few of my faves:
— Even/​Odd Creative (upcycled designs — bags/​purses/​wallets are awesome!)
— Airigami (they often have a fun balloon sculpture or balloon photobooth for 1^st Fri)
— Happy Earth Tea
— Von Brake Spices
— Francesca DeCaire
— Cat Clay (super cute ROC flower earrings/​magnets)
You will get a workout too… I was sore the next day from walking up and down the stairs. So, I recommend you start on the 4^th floor and make your way down. Also, there’s a freight elevator that you can ride — it’s in entrance #2.

I love this place, especially in winter.
During the First Fridays this place is the perfect location to enjoy art on a Friday evening. With ample parking, either around the building or in front, and four floors of artists’ studios, it is a great location to spend time on a cold and wintry evening.
It feels like going to the mall, but with handmade objects and art. The offerings run the gamut from kitschy handmade stuff, to more esoteric art pieces, but the great thing is that it’s all on one building! If you don’t like the work of one artist, there’s always the studio next to it.
There is usually live music on the premises too.
My complaint is that it can be difficult to find some places since it is an old and a bit run down building, and that parking in the stores up front can get your car towed, so be careful where you park.
But I do feel that for a First Friday outing the Hungerford offers the best variety of artists and music in Rochester. Which is great when you don’t feel like driving around going from gallery to gallery.

The Hungerford Building has come a long way since it’s origins as the J. Hungerford Smith Company, who, according to RocWiki «made „True Fruit“ flavored syrups, as well as the flavor syrup for A&W Root Beer.» Interestingly enough, I know descendants of the Smith family and have seen prints of the glass negatives taken of the business during it’s heyday. The Hungerford Building is better known today as the home for a vast array of businesses, artist studios and studio apartments. A true multi-​purpose facility.
Note: this is truly a place you must visit on First Fridays and Second Saturdays!
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The Hungerford Building is where I got my first design job, had my first art opening, got my Rochester city crest tattoo, cut my hand open with an xacto knife, built my first piece of furniture and countless other things. I have definitely drank more boxed wine here than anywhere else.
It used to be a fruit syrup factory, now it’s a great spot for artists and other creative people to set up shop. Management will try and put the fear of god in you when you rent a space here but everyone is really cool.
The spaces themselves are great, you can do anything in them. Just sweep ‘em up when you’re done!