Fall is a great time to get out and explore Lowell's thriving art scene! From now through October and November, several local galleries and art studios will be hosting special events and displaying unique art exhibits. From painters to quilt makers, and jewelers to woodworkers, Lowell's creative community provides a wide variety of art styles that can be seen at these exciting fall exhibits.
From September 26th through December 30th, The New England Quilt Museum, the only institute in the Northeast solely dedicated to the art and craft of quilting, presents "The Fabric Collage Quilts of Susan Carlson." This 32 piece display of Carlson's "fabric collage" technique captures her artistic evolution over three decades, and provides an abundance of color, texture and imagery for observers to enjoy. Visitors can expect to see quilts featuring portraits, birds, fish, insects, fish and a twenty-foot crocodile!
Image courtesy of LNHP
Start the season off right by visiting The Brush Art Gallery between now and November 3rd to view their commemorative exhibit celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Lowell National Historical Park in 1978. A reception will be held on Saturday, September 29th from 2-4 PM, and the exhibit will feature historical items, interactive elements, and a preview of what the national park could look like in the future!
"Pine Trees at Dusk and Dawn" by artist Victoria Voner
Two locally loved art galleries, The Whistler House Museum of Art and The Brush Art Gallery and Studios, have brought their creative minds together to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind exhibit called “Creative Fusion: The Brush at The Whistler.” This collection will feature creative works from each talented Brush artist that display their own unique style, skill, and vision. With the help of The Whistler House curatorial staff, this exhibit will be a cohesive collection of art that represent the thriving artistic community of Lowell. The show will run from September 26th to November 3rd, and an opening reception will be held on September 29th from 1-3 PM in the Parker Gallery.
From September 27th to October 7th, Gallery Z showcases their love for their city with "The Spirit of Lowell", a collection of 2-D multimedia work submitted by local artists. These pieces will display the spirit of Lowell by depicting Lowell's rich history and beautiful buildings, and the city's favorite author, Jack Kerouac. Visit the gallery's café for a freshly brewed hot or iced coffee, and see how each of these local artists envisions the spirit of Lowell.
UnchARTed Gallery has been home to many unique and interesting exhibits, and their latest collection "Totally 'Normal' & Stranger Than Fiction" is no exception. This exhibit will display the whimsical, quirky artwork of Lowell artist, M. M. Moyer, and his latest limited-edition art book "An Animal Alphabet A-Z" will also be available for purchase at the gallery. This collection will be on display from October 2nd to November 3rd, with receptions and book-signings on October 4th and 6th from 4-8 PM. UnchARTed also has an in-house café, so you can enjoy pizza, craft beer, wine, or a sandwich while checking out Moyer's "Normal" art work.
On October 6th and 7th, Western Avenue Studios hosts their annual Artoberfest, where guests can enjoy great food from a gourmet food truck, craft beer from the local Navigation Brewing Company, and of course, an extensive display of local art. From 12-5 PM, participating artists will open up their personal studios for anyone to come admire their work, learn about their artistic processes, and purchase their artwork. With Western Avenue Studios being the home to more than 300 working artist, you can expect to meet a wide variety of creatives, such as fiber and glass artists, jewelers, metal workers, painters, photographers, potters, printers, woodworkers, sculptors and more!
On October 7th from 2-4 PM, there will be a garden party hosted by the Arts League of Lowell celebrating the third season of the Gates Block Garden. Wine and refreshments will be available at this year's celebration, and the garden exhibit will feature the works of the talented scrap-metal sculptor Madeleine Lord. Her art will be displayed until October 28th, so you can stop by whenever you want to relax, and enjoy her creative collection of repurposed scrap-metal in a calming garden setting.