Wet Paint! Issue #006

Hey arts fans! I let the paint dry last week as there wasn’t much new to share, but this week there’s plenty! Let’s get into it.

October 2 at 5:30pm, I’m hosting an Artist Grant Prep Crash Course to demystify the process, answer questions, and help you develop a strong application. With literally 330 grants for MA artists closing in the next couple weeks, your $10 ticket and a little homework could help you earn $5k or more for your creative pursuits. Talk about a solid return on investment! Hope to see you there.

With my shilling out of the way, here’s the rest of what’s on my Worcester-based visual arts radar September 25 - October 13, in 4 minutes or less.

Opportunities

Grants, residencies, calls for art, and more.

If you’re looking to travel for an artist residency, a few interesting opportunities close soon. The Hayama Artist Residency (Japan) and Recycled Artist in Residency (Philadelphia) both close 9/30, “The Barn” (Montauk, NY) is accepting apps through 10/13, and you have until 11/1 to apply for Mass MoCA’s 2026 Studio Residencies.

Applications are open through 10/16 for MCC/LCC/Worcester Arts Council (WAC) grants! I’ve been hearing some great ideas so far, and have a couple of my own cooking as well. Need some help with your project and/or fellowship app? Send me a note and let’s get you sorted! 

If you apply for any of the above opps, you can repurpose those app materials for the MCC’s Grants for Creative Individuals! Artists; culture bearers, and creatives can apply by 10/24 for a chance to receive $5k in unrestricted funding. 

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.

Events

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

All blooms must end - Florilegia at Hunchback Gallery closes 9/27. Your last chances to see this exhibit of flower-inspired works created by 26 local artists are during gallery hours: Friday 10-4p and Saturday 12-6p.

The Worcester Center for Crafts’ Colors also closes 9/27, with creations from 6 local artists in the Krikorian Gallery. 

Mark Flanagan: No TV, Just a Radio and Beautiful Artwork is on view at the JMAC through 10/5, with a reception 4:30-9p this Saturday. Mark is renowned for his vibrant and colorful art, which helps him cope with schizophrenia.

From 12-5p 9/28 at the Spencer Fairgrounds, there’s a Bats and Black Cats Spooky Fair! This event is free and open to all-ages, though with the nature of things that can be described as gothic, spooky, and weird, parental discretion is advised. 

The Harold Stevens Gallery showcases contemporary Puerto Rican artist Antonio Fonseca Vazquez 9/28-10/27. Through Still Puerto Rican, Vazquez’s multi-media works explore themes of social biases and individual and cultural identities.

As the Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Anthony Amore is in charge of efforts to recover 13 works stolen in 1990. Amore joins Clark University at 7p 9/30 to share behind-the-scenes insights in a free, public talk called Stealing Rembrandts.

From 6-8p 10/1, Adelante Worcester Celebrates Latino Artists to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at the JMAC. This free evening of culture, networking, and local artists includes Frankie Borrero, Edmy Ortiz, Jose Crillo, and Henry Lastres, with a cash bar and appetizers.

Northeast Feltmakers Guild members used a variety of techniques to manipulate wool into wall pieces and sculptures exploring the theme Above and Beyond. As a needle felting enthusiast myself, I’m looking forward to checking this out at the Worcester Center for Crafts 10/7-11/1.

Hunchback Gallery is Creepin’ It Real this spooky season (until 11/1), with creepy, morbid, and otherwise haunted works created by 30 artists. The opening reception 6-9pm 10/9 will include a live performance, refreshments, and a couple other twists. Costumes optional, good vibes required.

The next Open Studios at 75 Webster is 12-6p 10/11. In addition to being your second chance to check out Creepin’ It Real at Hunchback Gallery, you can also explore the working studios of Tim Doyle, Abu Mwenye, and Matthew Burgos.

During the past year, 7 artists have been making use of grants they received for supplies to create new works. So, what did they come up with? Find out for yourself at ArtsWorcester - Material Needs 2025 is on view until 10/19.

The Blackstone Valley Arts Association is made up of artists working in a range of mediums. Check out some of their works during the BVAA Annual Fall Show at ValleyCAST’s Heritage Gallery in Whitinsville through 10/23.

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.

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.

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!