We’ve got Art

  • Visit North Central

Fine-Artist-Doreen-LaScola-at-GALAs-Annual-Members-Art-ShowWe’ve got Art is where you find it … and as you tour this region, you’ll find yourself surrounded! You can discover intriguing icons from Russia, masks from Africa, and pottery from ancient Egypt on display in local museums. Community historical societies house troves of early American art and crafted treasures.

But change your focus a bit, and you’ll discover fascinating works in myriad forms — and in many cases, you can meet the artists, too!

A great place to begin your tour of local talent is at the Fitchburg Art Museum’s annual Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft. Running from early June until Labor Day, the juried exhibition showcases works by artists who live or work within 30 miles of the city. And here’s a bonus: you can cast a ballot for your favorite piece in the show!

The museum, which regularly spotlights contemporary New England art, also has galleries devoted to its collections of American Art, African Art, Ancient Egypt, and photography.

Beyond Museum Walls

You can see a variety of works by local artists, too, at the GALA spring art & music festival at Red Apple Farm. On the weekend of May 19-21, the Gardner Area League of Artists puts local talent on display. View the works, chat with the artists, listen to some tunes (and enjoy a cold beverage in the brew barn)!

Tucked away throughout the region, too, art galleries exhibit local creativity. The School Street Art Studios in Gardner is a growing collection of artists’ studios, including Norm Eggert Photography, Doreen LaScola, Mark Lore Fine Art, Lori MacDonald Fine Art, Scott Niemi and about a dozen more. The artists occasionally hold open studios, or offer studio talks — so be sure to check the School Street facebook page to see what’s happening!

While you’re cruising the region, stop by the Creative Connections gallery on Main Street in Ashburnham, or Stage on Main on South Main Street in Orange, to see local art and craft creations. Swing by the Townsend Public Library to check out its Meeting Hall Gallery. Take a ride to picturesque Petersham to visit a local gem, the Petersham Art Center, where you can view (and buy) the work of local artists — and plan to return for a class or workshop!

Want to just tip your toe in a creative pool? Art on the Rocks, with locations in Leominster and Gardner, offers classes in various mediums, from pottery throwing to painting. Or swing by In the Meadow Farm in Lunenburg to try your hand at needle felting with Alpaca fiber.

There’s no question … a world of art awaits you here in the communities of North Central Massachusetts.


Spotlight on Students

It’s a rite of spring on the college campus: The VISIONS exhibition is a juried honors showcase of the year’s best original student work in the Communications Media Department at Fitchburg State University. Community members and area visitors are invited to join FSU in celebrating the talent and creative accomplishments of these students on April 26.

“This is the one time of the year when our students get to step back from their projects for a few hours and recognize all the concentrations and majors as part of a greater whole. It’s a time to experience all the amazing work that the students in our department are capable of. We want people to come ask questions, network, listen, watch and play!” said Coe McIninch, Visions 2023 Committee Chair.

This one-day event has a great lineup: an Alumni Panel at 3:30 pm, followed by a Visions Forum at 4:30 pm, both in Ellis White Lecture Hall; then a gallery opening, game design demonstrations, and reception at 5:30 pm, all in Hammond Hall. The Visions program ends with theatre showcases at 7 pm and film and video screening at 8 pm in Weston Auditorium.

It’s a once-a-year opportunity to see the creativity of Fitchburg students in a bright spotlight. For more information on VISIONS and the Communications Media Department, visit fitchburgstate.edu. You can also follow the department on social media including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.