Wet Paint! Issue #004

With about 30 hours left to my 30s, I’m going to cut to the chase - it’s Wet Paint! If you’re new here, check out the intro. 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 September 4-22, 2025, in 4 minutes or less.

Events

Exhibit receptions, gallery shows, markets, and the like.

BVAA Annual Fall Show opens 9/4 (tonight), with live music, wine, and cheese 5-7:30p. The exhibit will be on view through 10/23 at the Heritage Gallery in Whitinsville.

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

If you’re open to an opening 9/10 with 7 local artists, you’ve got 2 options:

• Colors at the Worcester Center for Crafts kicks off with a ticketed fundraiser at 5pm, free public viewing begins at 6:30p, and the exhibit will be on view until 9/27.

• ArtsWorcester’s Annual Gathering at 5p requires an RSVP, but the opening of Material Needs 2025 6-8p is open to the public. The exhibit will be on view through 10/19.

The Worcester Art Museum presents an after hours preview of Lee Mingwei: Our Peaceable Kingdom from 6-8p 9/12. Ticket holders can explore the immersive installation with music, drinks, the artists, and more before it opens to the public 9/13 - 2/1/26.

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.

I also have an order of operations for Vincent’s Backyard Gallery: (1) grab a drink, (2) peruse the art, (3) consider what to buy over a meatball sandwich, (4) wash my hands, (5) buy art. Try my system out yourself 1-6p 9/21.

Artists Rachel Gloria Adams and Ryan Adams transformed the heart of WAM with their mural The More I Wonder, The More I Love. The pair share their process and inspirations in an Artist Talk 9/21, 2-3p.

Louie Despres: Don’t Stop Now is on view at WCUW’s Harold Stevens Gallery until 9/22. The exhibit covers 25 years of his photography, ranging from self portraiture to manufacturing and beyond.

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.

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.

Wanna add Harvard to your resume? Their Art & Hustle Workshop series is free for all artists, no commitment beyond an RSVP. Attend all 5 monthly workshops and get a certificate of completion. The first one, Making a DIY Marketing Plan, is 5-7p Wednesday 9/10.

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.

Applications are open through 10/16 for MCC/LCC/Worcester Arts Council (WAC) grants! Need some help with your project or fellowship app? Don’t wait until October - send me a note and let’s get started. 

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

Dress at your own risk: this section has options for channeling your own creativity.

At Hunchback Gallery tonight from 6:30-8:30, Stop, Drop In, & Zine! Punkcake Independent Publishing has everything you need: inspiration, materials, even an explanation of what a zine is. Donations welcome for this free, low-stress workshop.

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. 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.

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!