ArtWeek SouthCoast returns with more than 50 events celebrating local art and artists

A celebration of local artists and their various crafts is set to return, with a number of communities joining together for the festivities.

ArtWeek SouthCoast is back, with events happening throughout the region from Thursday, May 9, through Sunday, May 19.

This multi-community salute to creativity will include events in Fall River, New Bedford, Marion, Westport, Dartmouth, Wareham, Fairhaven, and Mattaposiett.

ArtWeek SouthCoast is an annual celebration of “the vibrant creativity in our communities,” said a press release from the New Bedford Economic Development Council.

With more than 50 events planned, there will be a lot for you to put into your calendar under “must see.”

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Here is a guide with what you need to know for this year’s ArtWeek SouthCoast:

When will the ArtWeek SouthCoast festival be held?

The festival will be held from Thursday, May 9, through Sunday, May 19, with an “expansive array of over 50 unique and imaginative experiences,” the press release said.

What communities will participate in ArtWeek SouthCoast?

ArtWeek SouthCoast is presented by the cities of Fall River and New Bedford, as well as the towns of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Wareham, and Westport.

What will be some of the highlights of ArtWeek SouthCoast?

Festivities include: gallery shows, live performances, poetry readings, painting demonstrations, and more. There will also be hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and behind-the-scenes access to artists and the creative process.

We’ve included some highlights below, but for an even more comprehensive, full lineup of events, visit artweeksouthcoast.org.

Readings by poet James Cronin

Poet James Cronin will be at Davoll’s General Store and the Westport Free Public Library for readings from “The Landscape About Us: A SouthCoast Anthology.”

The reading at Davoll’s General Store, 1228 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth, will take place on Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m. The reading at the Westport Free Public Library, 408 Old County Road, will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m.

“Thanks to Midori Creativity and Westport Writers Group and ‘The Landscape About Us’ project for grounding me as a poet in the beautiful landscapes of my hometown,” Cronin said in the press release.

ArtWeek SouthCoast at The Marion Art Center

The Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant St., will be hosting six programs during the festival.

“We have the premiere of an original play, ‘All the Frozen Ones,’ a free community bike tune-up, a solo performance by Mashpee Wampanoag storyteller Annawon Weeden, a demo of the art of tree carving with chainsaw artist Evan Verissimo, and two workshops – painting on silk with Lidia Mikhaylova and painting a sailboat scene with Barbara Healy,” Marion Art Center Executive Director Jodi Stevens said in the release.

“All the Frozen Ones” is written by Stella Ferra. The play is directed by Kate Fishman and stars actors Zara Lemieux and Garrett Olson. Performances will be on May 9, 10, and 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the MAC Theatre. Tickets are $8 per person.

The community bike tune-up will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Coffee and donuts will be available. This event is free, but registration is required.

Weeden, an activist, storyteller, dancer, and tribal mentor of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, will be sharing his knowledge through an interactive solo performance on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the First Congregational Church Community Center, 144 Front St., Marion. There is a suggested $5 donation, or pay what you can.

The silk painting class with Mikhaylova will be held on Wednesday, May 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. Held in the MAC Studio, the cost is $35 per person, and includes all materials.

Verissimo’s demonstration will be on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. The rain date is Sunday, May 19. The cost is $5 per person.

Healy’s workshop will be on Saturday, May 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the lawn at The MAC. The cost is $35 per person and includes all materials and a wine tasting. Guests must be 21 or older.

Hatch Street Spring Open Studios

Hatch Street Spring Open Studios in New Bedford, 88 Hatch St., will have more than 65 artists opening their doors to the public, showcasing handmade textiles, ceramics, furniture, and more, inspired by the vibrancy of the spring season. Visitors can tour studios, watch demonstrations, participate in workshops, listen to live music, and purchase unique gifts and fine art.

The open studios will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Family Fest in New Bedford

New Bedford’s Family Fest will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, 181 Hillman St. This event is free, and will connect families with resources available in the community. Event highlights will also include Zoo2You, family yoga, and an Eric Carle Storywalk. The resource fair will feature more than 30 organizations.

More ArtWeek SouthCoast highlights from New Bedford

Other New Bedford events will include: AHA! Night, a Thump and Soul session at Gallery X, a USO-themed concert by the Seaglass Theater Company, Rebecca Correia at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center’s Stage Door Live at Kilburn Mill, and a marine debris weaving workshop New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

We HeART Fall River Festival returns

Another festival will be coinciding with ArtWeek SouthCoast:

“We are thrilled to announce that the 4th annual We HeART Fall River Festival coincides with ArtWeek SouthCoast,” Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition Executive Director Ashley Occhino said in the press release. “We promise engaging activities for families, food trucks, live performances, and a showcase of handmade goods from the Fall River Farmers and Artisans Market.”

The We HeART Fall River Festival is a free event, and will take place on Saturday, May 11, from noon to 4 p.m., on the south side of Government Center, along Sullivan Drive. There will be food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, arts and crafts activities, and more.

Free event: We HeART Fall River Festival bringing food trucks, art vendors, entertainment downtown

Crafty Queer Night at Greater Fall River Re-Creation

Greater Fall River Re-Creation, 45 Rock St., Fall River, will be hosting a Crafty Queer Night as part of Safe Spaces, an LGBTQIA+ program at GFRRC, on Friday, May 10, at 6 p.m. All supplies will be provided at this free youth craft event.

Fall River Public Schools arts and fashion expo

Fall River Public Schools will be hosting an arts expo and fashion show at BMC Durfee High School, 460 Elsbree St., on Thursday, May 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free to all.

More ArtWeek SouthCoast highlights from Fall River

Other highlights of ArtWeek SouthCoast will include: Westport Art Group’s Plein Air painting and Spring Group Show; open studios at the Greater Fall River Art Association and the Narrows Center for the Arts; and more.

Support for ArtWeek SouthCoast

ArtWeek SouthCoast is supported in part by grants from the Fall River, Marion, New Bedford, Wareham, and Westport cultural councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency; with additional support from Bristol County Savings Bank and SouthCoast Community Foundation.

Find more information about ArtWeek SouthCoast

For more information about these and other ArtWeek SouthCoast events, visit artweeksouthcoast.org.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: What you need to know about ArtWeek SouthCoast 2024