Wet Paint! Issue #001
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Wet Paint! For a proper introduction, click here for a 2 minute read.
Here’s your visual arts forecast for Worcester, MA through August 31, 2025:
Events
Exhibit receptions, gallery shows, markets, starting with those ending soonest first.
Hunky Dory is on view at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery at Worcester State through August 16 - that’s this Saturday! Gallery hours Thursday + Friday 12-5p, Saturday 11-4p.
Looking for an art market with live music, beer, and the best meatball sandwich around? This is it! The next Vincent’s Backyard Gallery is this Sunday August 17th, 1-6p. (21+ event)
You have until August 20 to check out the WCUW presents Emerging Artists exhibit at the Harold Stevens Gallery. The 4 artists showcased work in a range of mediums and themes, see it for yourself Thursday 1-3p or Friday 11a-2p.
Procrastination won’t be a valid excuse to miss this one - through August 22, ValleyCAST are Celebrating Neurodiversity through art and poetry made by 6 local creators. The Heritage Gallery is just 20 minutes from Worcester, open 9a-4p Monday - Friday.
“The theme is flowers” was the only rule for Florilegia, and 27 artists brought a huge range of works to Hunchback Gallery: painting, photography, sculpture, installations, even augmented reality! No spoilers - see it for yourself Fridays 10a-4p, Saturdays 12-6p.
After learning to draw from YouTube, Alex Lupafya puts 70+ hours into his hyperrealistic portraits. Originally from Zimbabawe, his 1st solo show Icons in Pencil is at the JMAC, 2-6p Wednesday-Friday until the 24th.
ArtsWorcester’s 13th Annual One invited members to bring the 1 piece they most wanted to exhibit, regardless of medium or theme. See this mix of works by long-time and newer artists Thursdays-Sundays, 12-5p, through August 25.
Opportunities
Grants, residencies, calls for art, and more.
Hunchback Gallery is Creepin’ It Real for the October show. Submit your spooky, weird, witchy, or otherwise haunted works through the webform by September 11. Free to apply, no restrictions on size or medium.
The art call for Small Works at ArtsWorcester closes October 15 (on view Nov-Dec). As the title implies there are size restrictions, and this call is for ArtsWorcester members only.
Coming Soon: MCC/LCC/Worcester Arts Council (WAC) applications will open Sept 1 - Oct 16, but you don’t have to wait until Sept 1* to start planning (* or Oct 15… you know who you are).
In my 4+ years as the WAC Admin, applicants wanted far more guidance than I could legally offer at the time - this unmet need is part of why I founded EASEL! Whether you need help with writing and budgeting or just want to toss project ideas around, I’m here to help - email Nikki@EASELsupport.com and let’s chat.
This ends our commercial break, we now return you to our regularly scheduled programming.
Paint Pants
Named for the paint-covered pants my partner wears while crafting, this section has options for channeling your own creativity.
From 12-3p this Saturday the 16th, Punkcake will be at Hunchback Gallery for the next Stop, Drop In, & Zine! All materials will be provided for this free zine-making session, with the Zine Library available to peruse and select zines available for purchase.
In Fearless Watercolor with Patti Kelly, the titular painter will guide participants through various experiments at CC Lowell Sunday the 17th from 11a-1p. Supplies included, tickets required.
Doodle Buds is a monthly sketch-and-hang night at Hunchback Gallery. Bring your preferred supplies on the 20th from 6:30-8:30p and create alongside other creatives, pulling inspiration from Florilegia or whatever else! Donations appreciated, free to all.
That’s it for this week. If you enjoyed this newsletter, your support can help me keep it going - consider making a donation here!
Thanks for reading, stay creative Worcester!
