Abstract. In the genre of cultural essay, the author shares his impressions of the Artekspo New York exhibition (2013) held in Expocentre on 92 pier (USA). The author gives an assessment of the work of contemporary artists and addresses fascinating paintings of Alex Fishgoyt and Ylli Haruni; he believes that the trend of declining public interest in arts exhibitions is associated with the general tendency represented by the artists (including Russian guests who regularly participate in this exhibition) and that it stems from their devotion to picturesque “bijouterie” and abstract composition. However, it is hardly possible to speak about a decline of artistic taste of the audiences in the city where the taste for arts is being developed from early childhood.