You’re not just getting coffee here. You’re stepping into Elmhurst’s creative heartbeat where local artists display their latest work and coffee conversations spark new friendships. Every month brings fresh exhibitions featuring Queens-based painters, photographers, and mixed-media artists you won’t find anywhere else.
The atmosphere changes with each new show. One week you’re admiring abstract landscapes while sipping your morning latte. The next, you’re discovering street photography that captures the real Elmhurst while enjoying our signature cold brew. This isn’t your typical gallery visit or coffee run – it’s both, and that makes all the difference.
The Café Galerie has been Elmhurst’s creative gathering place since opening, understanding that this diverse neighborhood deserves more than chain coffee and sterile walls. We’ve built relationships with over 50 local artists, from emerging talent fresh out of Queens College to established painters who’ve called Elmhurst home for decades.
What makes us different? We actually know the artists whose work hangs on our walls. We can tell you about Maria’s inspiration for her Roosevelt Avenue series or why David switched from oils to acrylics last year. This isn’t decoration – it’s curation with purpose, connecting you directly to the creative minds shaping Queens’ art scene.
Walk in and you’ll immediately notice something different. Our rotating gallery walls feature 15-20 pieces from a featured artist each month, with small placards sharing their story and technique. Grab your coffee from our specialty bar where we serve single-origin beans alongside pastries from local bakers.
Find your spot among our mix of cozy armchairs, communal tables, and window-side perches. Whether you’re here for the free WiFi and need to knock out some work, or you want to sketch while surrounded by inspiration, the space adapts to what you need. Every first Friday, we host artist meet-and-greets where you can chat directly with the featured creator about their process and inspiration.
Most pieces are available for purchase, with prices clearly marked. We handle the transaction and coordinate pickup, making it easy to take home something that spoke to you. It’s art collecting without the intimidation factor.
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Your monthly membership includes priority seating for our artist talks, 10% off all artwork purchases, and first access to new exhibitions before they open to the public. We also host monthly creative workshops – think watercolor basics, photography walks through Elmhurst, and even coffee cupping sessions where you learn to taste notes like the pros.
The space transforms for evening events too. Poetry readings happen twice monthly, usually drawing 30-40 people who appreciate both spoken word and good espresso. Our “Art After Dark” series features wine and cheese pairings with extended gallery hours, perfect for date nights or catching up with friends who work traditional hours.
For Elmhurst residents specifically, we offer a local discount program and partner with nearby businesses like the Roosevelt Avenue shops to cross-promote community events. This isn’t just about being a neighborhood coffee shop – we’re actively invested in making Elmhurst’s creative scene more vibrant and accessible.
We rotate featured artists monthly, with new exhibitions opening on the first Friday of each month. This gives each artist four full weeks to showcase their work and allows regular visitors to discover something fresh every time they come in. We typically feature 15-20 pieces per artist, ranging from small sketches to larger statement pieces.
The changeover happens during our closed day (usually Monday), so when you walk in Tuesday morning, you’re seeing a completely new creative perspective. We also keep a small permanent collection of Elmhurst-specific artwork that stays up year-round, featuring pieces that capture the neighborhood’s unique character and history.
Absolutely – about 90% of the artwork on our walls is available for purchase, with prices clearly marked next to each piece. We work directly with the artists to handle all transactions, so you’re supporting them directly while we take care of the logistics. Payment can be made in-store or online through our website.
Once you purchase a piece, we can either wrap it for immediate pickup or hold it until the exhibition ends if you prefer. For larger pieces, we offer local delivery within Elmhurst for a small fee. We also provide certificates of authenticity and can connect you directly with the artist if you’re interested in commissioning custom work or learning more about their process.
Yes, we offer both private event rental and regular workshops throughout the month. Our space can accommodate up to 45 people for private events like birthday parties, corporate meetings, or book club gatherings. You get exclusive access to the gallery, and we can arrange catering through our network of local food partners.
For workshops, we typically host 2-3 per month covering different creative disciplines. Recent offerings included “Coffee and Canvas” painting sessions, photography basics with walks through Elmhurst, and even latte art classes. Most workshops run $25-40 per person and include materials plus coffee or tea. We also partner with local artists to offer specialized workshops in their medium – pottery, jewelry making, printmaking, and more.
Our coffee program focuses on single-origin beans from small farms, with detailed tasting notes available for each offering. We work with a local roaster in Long Island City who sources directly from growers, so you’re getting beans that were roasted within the past week. We also rotate our featured coffee monthly to complement the art exhibition – Ethiopian beans during our landscape photography month, Colombian during our abstract painting showcase.
Beyond the beans themselves, our baristas are trained in multiple brewing methods. You can get your latte made with traditional espresso, but we also offer pour-over, French press, and cold brew options depending on what brings out the best in each specific coffee. The art-filled environment makes every cup feel more intentional – you’re not just grabbing caffeine, you’re taking a moment to appreciate both craft coffee and visual art simultaneously.
We’re absolutely family-friendly and love seeing kids get excited about art alongside their parents. We keep coloring supplies available and have a small children’s book section featuring stories about artists and creativity. Weekend mornings often see families making the gallery part of their Elmhurst exploration routine.
Our hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 8 PM, with extended hours until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday for our evening events. We’re closed Mondays for exhibition changes and deep cleaning. During school holidays, we sometimes offer special family workshops where kids can create art inspired by our current exhibition while parents enjoy their coffee and browse the gallery.
We have an open submission process that runs year-round, with artists able to submit portfolios through our website or in person. We prioritize artists with connections to Queens, whether they live here, work here, or create work inspired by the borough’s diverse communities. Our selection committee includes our team, two local art educators, and a rotating community member.
We look for artists whose work tells a story and connects with our community-focused mission. Technical skill matters, but we’re equally interested in unique perspectives and authentic voices. We maintain a waiting list of about 30 artists, so there’s typically a 6-8 month lead time from acceptance to exhibition. We also reserve two slots per year for first-time exhibitors, specifically to support emerging artists who might not have extensive gallery experience yet.
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