Wet Paint! Issue #003

We all have different ways of feeling that summer is coming to an end. For some it’s cooler weather or increased traffic, for me it’s the increase in events and opportunities on the horizon! The proverbial dog days are behind us, but much excitement is ahead. 

New to Wet Paint!? Check out the intro here. Have something to share in a future issue, or need help with something you find here? Drop me a note - Nikki@EASELsupport.com.

Here’s what’s on my visual arts radar August 28 - September 15, 2025, in 4 minutes or less.

Events

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

This Saturday from 4-8pm, Double Down Brewing hosts a Night Market with handmade goods and art from multiple vendors. Local art + German and Belgian-style brews = I’ll be there.

This Sunday at 5pm, I’m headed to WCUW’s Harold Steven’s Gallery for the opening of Louie Despres: Don’t Stop Now, covering 25 years of his photography. Can’t make it, or rather skip the mingling? Louie’s latest solo show will be on view until 9/22.

Two Bridges Art Academy is an online educational community supporting artists at all levels. The Two Bridges Art Academy Student Show features works by 30 artists at the JMAC 9/3-9/14, with a reception 9/7.

Featuring works by 7 local artists, Colors opens at the Worcester Center for Crafts 9/10. The evening kicks off with a ticketed fundraiser at 5pm, the free public opening begins at 6:30p, and the exhibit will be on view until 9/27.

Last year, 7 local artists received grants to cover the materials needed to create new works, to be showcased in Material Needs 2025. ArtsWorcester hosts a public opening 6-8p 9/10, on view through 10/19.

The Worcester Art Museum presents an after hours preview of Lee Mingwei: Our Peaceable Kingdom before it opens to the public. From 6-8p 9/12, ticket holders can explore the immersive installation with music, drinks, the artists, and more.

There’s a lot going on Saturday, September 13 - if I was to try and hit every event, here’s the order I’d do it in:

• 11-3p: Artist Jane Campion is running an art supply swap during the Open Art Studio Social at CC Lowell. At Peace Park (a 2 minute walk), the Pleasant Street Maker’s Market will have handmade goods, music, vendors, food, and more.

• 12-5p: If you don’t already know The Village, a great time to introduce yourself is at the next Marketplace, which features pop ups from several vendors, artists, and makers.

• 12-6p: several artists at 75 Webster St have Open Studios on the 2nd Saturday of each month, during which you can shop and talk to artists in their creative spaces.

The group show Florilegia 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 (except 9/5-9/6).

At the Cantor Gallery through 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.

Until 9/2, Lowell’s Loading Dock Gallery invites submissions for Public Places, Private Spaces. The theme involves access, autonomy, intimacy, and exposure, more info (eligibility, mediums, and fees) can be found through the link.

Gallery 263 in Cambridge is looking for works that celebrate the subversive, satirical, and funny ways of observing the world for its upcoming show failed seriousness. Submit by 9/7, and check out the call for details on medium, size, and entry fees.

Hunchback Gallery is Creepin’ It Real for the October show. Submit your spooky, weird, witchy, or otherwise haunted works through the webform by 9/11. Free to apply, no restrictions on size or medium.

The art call for Small Works at ArtsWorcester closes 10/15 (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.)

The Poets’ Cauldron has an open art call for the upcoming A Message To The Gods exhibit, planned for Indigenous Peoples Month (November). All mediums welcome, apply by 10/25.

Paint Pants

Named for the paint-covered pants my partner wears while crafting, this section has options for channeling your own creativity.

Poets’ Cauldron hosts Offerings in Bloom at 6pm 9/2, in which participants will work together to make giant paper flowers. Registration required, donations cover materials and instruction.

From 6:30-8:30 9/4, get ready to Stop, Drop In, & Zine! Punkcake Independent Publishing has everything you need, from materials to inspiration to an explanation of what a zine is. This low-stress workshop is free to attend, though donations are welcome.

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

The next round of classes at the Worcester Center for Crafts begins 9/8. The full course catalogue is robust, a few selections include All Levels Enameling, Beginner Stained Glass, Came Glasswork, and Intro to Metals.

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!