Andre Rochester is a Fine Artist, Curator, and Creative Consultant from Greater Hartford, Connecticut. Andre’s art makes statements for which words are not enough, highlighting underlying emotions connected to his subjects. It is a combination of portraiture and conceptual works linked by narratives of his own experiences. His art is a tool for healing and a catalyst for connection-letting people know they are not alone. His paintings are in various public and private collections such as City of Hartford, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center (New Haven, CT), Hartford Healthcare, and Manchester Community College.
Andre’s purpose is fueled by a commitment to the empowerment and progression of the artistic community. He also coaches emerging artists, encouraging them to develop their craft with a focus on professionalism and business acumen. He believes that with every step forward, we must make room for others to join us. His coaching and consulting venture includes group workshops, public speaking, program development, and project management for public art initiatives. Learn more at www.rochestercreativeconsulting.com.
Fellowships/Residencies
2025 | Evolve x Empower Cohort- State of Connecticut Office of the Arts
2022-23 | National Leaders of Color Fellowship- New England Foundation for The Arts
2022 | New Voices Fellowship (for Arts Administrators)- Greater Hartford Arts Council
2021-22 | Artist of Color Accelerate (AOCA) Fellowship Cohort 1- The 224 EcoSpace
2021 | Quest Program- Leadership Greater Hartford
Notable Collections
Hartford Healthcare
Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center- New Haven, CT
Catholic Charities- Arch Diocese of Hartford, CT
Manchester Community College
City of Hartford, CT
Hartford Public Library
Notable Memberships
2026 - Present | Stowe Center for Literary Activism (Board Member)- Hartford, CT
2024 - Present | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art ( Ex Officio Trustee- representing the City of Hartford)
2023 - Present | Hartford Art School Endowment, Inc. (Board Corporator)- West Hartford, CT
2023 - 2024 | Wethersfield Academy for the Arts (Board Member)- Wethersfield, CT
2022- 2024 | Connecticut Arts Alliance (Board Member) - Statewide, CT
2019 - 2023 | Windsor Art Center Board of Directors (Vice President, Curatorial Chair, Development Chair) - Windsor, CT
2014 - 2015 | City of Hartford Commission on Cultural Affairs - Hartford, CT
Awards/Honors
2025 | Cultural Heritage Award- Urban League of Greater Hartford, CT
2024 | Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award- State of Connecticut
2024 | Community Impact Award- My People Community Services
2024 | Spirit of Juneteenth Award- Amistad Center for Art and Culture at Wadsworth Atheneum- Hartford, CT
2024 | Celebration of Leadership Honoree- New England Foundation for The Arts- Boston, MA
2023 | Art in Bloom Award- Windsor Art Center- Windsor, CT
2022 | Our Piece of the Pie® Inc. Champions of Youth Alumni Recognition Award- Hartford, CT
2022 | Official Proclamation from Mayor Luke Bronin, City of Hartford- Hartford, CT
2015 | One Hundred Men of Color- Hartford, CT
Selected Exhibitions
2026 | 18th annual Harlem Fine Arts Show - The Glasshouse- New York, NY
2025 | A Place I’ve Been (Solo Exhibit)
2025 | 17th annual Harlem Fine Arts Show- The Glasshouse- New York, NY
2025| MASC- Unmasking Identity, Redefining Masculinity- Norwalk Art Space, Norwalk, CT
2024 | AEmpire- Artspace Hartford- Hartford, CT
2024 | Resilience- The Garde Arts Center- New London, CT
2024 | Art for Healing (Curator)- The 224 EcoSpace- Hartford, CT
2024 | Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT
2024 | Un+Art 6- Artspace Hartford - Hartford, CT
2023 | Freedom (Curator) - Windsor Art Center - Windsor, CT
2023 | Interpretations of Black Excellence (Curator) - The 224 EcoSpace - Hartford, CT
2022 | Seeking Freedom (Solo Exhibit) - Carriage House Theater - Hartford, CT
2022 | Acceptance through the Ages (Curator) - Windsor Art Center - Windsor, CT
2022 | Second Layer: Conversations Through Canvas by B.D. Stellmacher (Curator) - Windsor Art Center - Windsor, CT
2021 | The State of Health Equity Among Boys & Men of Color Summit (Curator / Arts Day Facilitator) - University Connecticut Health Center Health Disparities Institute - Hartford, CT
2021 | Emerge - Connecticut Center for Art and Technology - New Haven, CT
2021 | Black Period/Open Wall Series ed. 03 (multiple locations)-
Hill-Stead Museum - Farmington, CT
Free Center - Middletown, CT
2020 | Break Through (Solo Exhibit)- The Ethel Walker School, Corridor Gallery - Simsbury, CT
2020 | The Vision - Long Wharf Theater - New Haven, CT
2019 | Untitled (Solo Exhibit)- Gallery 66 - New Britain, CT
2019 | Basel Bash - The Compound - Miami, FL
2018 - 2019 | Audacious Agency (Traveling Exhibit)
Sarah Smith Gallery- Yale Divinity School - New Haven, CT
Five Points Annex Gallery- Torrington, CT
Windsor Art Center - Windsor, CT
2018 | Reflections of Humanity - Dehn Gallery - New Britain, CT
2018 | CT Arts Against Violence - Blends Gallery - Bridgeport, CT
2016 | Les Hommes: Interpretations of Manhood and Fatherhood through Visual Media (Curator)- The 224 EcoSpace - Hartford, CT
2015 | The Hartist Festival (Curator/Art Director) - Charter Oak Cultural Center - Hartford, CT
2015 | Many Rivers - Saratoga Art Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
2014 | By Faith (Solo Exhibit)- The 224 Eco Space - Hartford, CT
2014 | Collection of Works by Andre Rochester (Solo Exhibit)- Trinity College - Hartford, CT
2012 | Over Head, Under Foot - Ely Center of Contemporary Art - New Haven, CT
2011 | Untitled: Featured Artist (Solo Exhibit)- Charter Oak Cultural Center - Hartford, CT
2011 | Coloring outside The Lines: Expanding Your Jurisdiction - University of Connecticut Law School Library - Hartford, CT
2010 | The Works of Andre Rochester (Solo Exhibit)- Paris in Plantsville Gallery - Plantsville, CT
2010 | Black August Art Show - Brecht Forum - New York, NY
2009 | The As Yet Unnamed Art Show - MAC650 Gallery - Middletown, CT
2008 | UnArt 2 - Art Space Hartford - Hartford, CT