Wet Paint! Issue #002

Don’t sit there - it’s Wet Paint! Assuming you’re now standing: my goal is to get you the next 3 weeks of Worcester visual arts before you sit again - in 3 minutes or less. (For a proper introduction, click here for a 2 minute read.)

Up for the challenge? Let’s get to it - here’s what’s on my radar August 20 - September 8, 2025.

Events

Exhibit receptions, gallery shows, markets, starting with those ending soonest first.

Your last chance to see the Celebrating Neurodiversity exhibit at the Heritage Gallery is this Thursday 8/22. Not sure art or poetry made by neurodivergent creators is for you? Don’t forget that you’re reading a newsletter written by one right now. 

Xiang Li paired traditional Chinese watercolor techniques and literal decades of research, practice, and refinement to create Chinese Empresses - the full collection is on view for the first time at the NEBG at Tower Hill through 8/24. As long as you’re there, check out Art In Motion: 17 intricate steel sculptures created by artist/engineer George Sherwood.

Who hasn’t explored an interest online? Having learned to draw with YouTube, Alex Lupafya now spends 70-80 hours to create each of his hyperrealistic portraits. 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 8/25.

Double Down Brewing has a Night Market 4-8pm on 8/30, which promises “talented local vendors, handmade goods, art, and more, right alongside fresh pours from the taproom.” The menu includes German and Belgian-style brews… I have some recon to do.

From self-portraiture to candid nightlife and manufacturing to music, photographer Louie Despres has built a diverse body of work over 25 years. See Don’t Stop Now for yourself at WCUW’s Harold Stevens Gallery: opening at 5pm 8/31, on view through 9/22.

It sounds like the 2025 Pride Worcester Festival on 9/6 will be the biggest yet, with 200+ artists and vendors, food trucks, performances, and community orgs taking over downtown, anchored by the main stage at 20 Franklin St. Happy Pride to all!

Speaking of 20 Franklin - the Two Bridges Art Academy Student Show features works by 30 artists at the JMAC 9/3-9/14, with a reception 9/7.

Call it climate change or just a change of plans - Florilegia has been extended to 9/27! This group show is in full bloom until 9/27 at Hunchback Gallery, with 50+ works created by 26 artists ranging from painting and photography to sculpture, textiles, and installations. Viewing hours 10-4 Fridays, 12-6 Saturdays.

At the Cantor Gallery 8/26-12/19, The Vietnamese Áo Dài in a Time of War highlights the contributions of Vietnamese women to politics, society, and culture through Vietnam’s national costume: the áo dài.

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 9/2-10/16, but you don’t have to wait until Sept 2* to start planning! (*or Oct 15… you know who you are.)

In my 4+ years as the WAC Admin, applicants asked for more guidance than I could give 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.

Technocopia hosts free creative hangouts throughout the month: Open Hacks are open to all mediums 7-9p Thursdays (including tonight and Labor Day!), Stitch ‘N Bitch sessions are focused on textiles (knitting, embroidery, etc) - 7-9p on the 1st + 3rd Mondays. Need a lesson or special tools? Check out upcoming classes or schedule a tour online.

The Worcester Public Library is more than great books - coming up soon are classes in crochet, guided DIY crafts, and have you visited the Innovation Center yet?! Free access to vinyl cutting, sewing machines, 3D printing, and more.

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!