Western Avenue Studios

Unique Visions: Barbara Fletcher and May DeViney at the 3rd Floor Mini Gallery
2024-09-01 10:00 - 2024-12-15 17:00 UTC | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Unique Visions is an exhibition by two distinguished Western Avenue artists that consists of paintings, mixed media & sculpture . Check out their artwork any day of the week 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. This mini gallery will be shown on our third floor September 1st, 2024 through December 15th, 2024.
Opening reception will be October 5th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Political Isms: Ism is a noun meaning ideological movement typically political or artistic. In our modern world there are a lot of isms at play. Artists May DeViney and Barbara Fletcher bring together different isms meeting in the middle with humor, color, technique and intention.
Make sure to check it out in our third floor at 122 Western Avenue Studio, Lowell, MA.

Objects of Minor Construction: Charles Gallagher | 2nd Floor Closet Gallery at the Lofts
2024-09-07 12:00 - 2024-11-17 17:00 | Storage Closet Gallery, 160 Western Ave, Lowell, MA, 01851
The Storage Closet Gallery is truly one of a kind. You can visit this gallery during our Open Studios every first Saturday of the month 12 PM- 5 PM on September 7th, October 5th & 6th, and November 2nd OR visit by appointment. Located on the 2nd Floor, at Western Avenue LOFTS. This gallery can be visited September 7th, 2024 through November 17th, 2024.
Charles Gallagher exhibits an assemblage sculptures and collages using scavenged materials and found objects collected on daily walks, a practice he traces back to beach-combing on Long Island and coastal Maine.
Each piece comes together slowly as disparate materials are placed within a particular composition over time. The selecting, balancing and stacking of elements within each piece echoes the process of laying down stones to form a dry stone wall. Gallagher is sensitive to the latent potential of his gathered materials just as he can see the inherent qualities of a piece of stone.
Gallagher’s pieces can appear whimsical or formally minimalist, the free and inventive use of materials providing a rich visual language of textured histories and hidden narratives. Gallagher’s assemblages have the spirit of a totem, the imbued meaning unclear but powerfully present.

Comic Book as Art & Craft - Mary Dumas | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
2024-10-05 10:00 - 2024-11-23 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This October & November! Mary Dumas’ exhibition will showcase the first pages of their comics in a poster-like format, inviting visitors to read along as they walk through the gallery. Accompanying nearly every poster will be information providing insights into the process of creating independent comics today.
This amazing art exhibition will be available to visitors on the 2nd floor of our studios building from October 5th to November 23rd any day of the week from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. 122 Western Avenue Studios, Lowell, MA 01851.
Opening Reception – October 6th at 2:00 PM

Workshop: Legal Issues of AI Creativity with Bhamati Viswantahan & Luke Blackadar
2024-11-21 18:00 - 19:00 | The Teaching Space, Studio 225, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851
The laws covering artificial intelligence, especially use of AI for creative projects, are constantly evolving. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the legal systems that currently apply to creative use of AI, including copyright, trademark, and publicity.
Register HERE
Luke Blackadar is the Arts & Business Council’s Deputy Director, Luke counsels artists, creative start-ups, and arts nonprofits manage legal issues involving copyright, trademark, contract, entity formation, and corporate governance. Luke is also faculty at Roger Williams University School of Law, Boston University Metropolitan College, and Northeastern University School of Law.
Bhamati Viswanathan Professor Bhamati Viswanathan has several years of teaching experience at diverse schools, including Williams College, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and most recently, Emerson College and Roger Williams University Law School.
Prior to teaching, Professor Viswanathan practiced corporate and securities law in New York and Massachusetts. She then worked at a technology startup, where she served as counsel on corporate and intellectual property matters. She is Assistant Professor of Law at New England Law | Boston and a trustee and chair of the New England Section of the Copyright Society of the U.S. She is co-chair of the Emerging Technologies Committee of the American Bar Association IP Law Section. She is also a faculty advisor on the Academic Board of the Copyright Alliance.
Professor Viswanathan continues to speak, write, and advise actively on IP issues, particularly with respect to creative industries and entrepreneurship.

Less Peaceful Pt. 3: An Exploration of Identity, Memory, and Transformation | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
2024-11-25 09:00 - 2024-12-28 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Featuring the works of Daryan Kong and Maritza Flores – 2 Alumni & young artists from Refuge Art School
“Less Peaceful” invites viewers into a shared journey of self-discovery, resilience, and introspection through the distinct yet interconnected works of two young artists, Daryan Kong and Maritza Flores. Each artist reflects on her lived experiences, navigating identity, memory, and personal growth within cultural expectations and individual challenges.
Daryan Kong, a 22-year-old artist from Lowell, Massachusetts, uses her paintings to reconnect with the inner child shaped by her Southeast Asian upbringing and the social pressures it imposed. Through surrealist, vividly colorful compositions, Daryan reclaims moments of girlhood and femininity, balancing themes of nostalgia, amusement, and happiness with explorations of anatomy and self-perception. Her works layer bright acrylics in textures and forms that mirror her progression from childhood to present self, capturing girlhood’s nuances with playful yet complex imagery.
In contrast, Maritza Flores, a 21-year-old Mexican-born magical realist painter and illustrator, dives into themes of healing and resilience rooted in her experiences as an asylum-seeker and survivor. Maritza’s work is deeply introspective, shaped by cultural memories, folklore, and the subconscious. Her paintings are filled with symbolism that speaks to silenced voices and normalized suffering, challenging viewers to reimagine their perspectives on cultural transformation. Through her storytelling, Maritza offers a narrative of hope, resilience, and self-empowerment.
Together, these artists create an environment where girlhood, femininity, and self-expression can be seen and felt in myriad forms. “Less Peaceful” is a space of bold color, layered memory, and transformative introspection—an invitation to reflect on what it means to grow up, reclaim identity, and confront the quieter struggles that shape us all.
The exhibit will be open from November 25th to December 28th, with a reception on December 7th, from 3:30 to 5 PM.
Join us to celebrate the unique voices and visions of these two talented artists!

Maps of Portraiture | Amy Roberts | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2024-11-30 09:00 - 2025-02-15 17:00 | Loft Lobby, 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Figurative artists create a distinct journal of their past geographical life. In living and moving forward our path cross-crosses with others, and each of us are heart and mind that is a separate world. We yearn to connect with these other worlds.
As an artist my creative output shows you points on the map of my life. The beauty of connection is how we hold fast through the uncertainty and the fragility of being human. Our strongest connections may have already passed the threshold of loss and grief. Some that we consider an acquaintance we recognize as anchors when reflecting back on the landmass that is our life. My journey through portraiture is about connections, about being a person who loves people.

This exhibit will be available to the public on open studios and by appointment any day of the week from November 30th – January 15th.
Contact for gallery appointments: amy.r.roberts.art@gmail.com

Leaf Peepers | Group Exhibition | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2024-11-30 10:00 - 2025-01-15 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Enjoy this fall themed exhibition our Western Avenue artists put together!
This exhibition is in our 4th floor mini gallery, showcasing a variety of mediums and approaches.
Available from November 30th, 2024 – January 15, 2025 anytime between 10 AM – 5 PM

Small Business Saturday Art Market
2024-11-30 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Save the date for our November Open Art Studios on 11/30 for Small Business Saturday – from 12 pm to 5 pm. This is a free event.
Western Avenue is one of the largest creative communities in the country. Each month we host an Open Studios celebration of art and craft and community that invites connection and inspiration to all who participate. Join us each month for a golden afternoon of exploration, enjoyment, and unexpected treasure.
Nibbana Cafe opens at 9am for coffee and sandwiches.
The Navigation Brewing taproom and food truck opens at noon.
Free parking is available in our lots and in the shuttle-served lot at Stoklosa Middle School.
After Open Studios, Taffeta Music Hall holds live music concerts.
See you there!

December Holiday Open Art Studios
2024-12-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Get ready to gift creatively! December Open Art Studios is happening the 7th and 14th from 12pm to 5 pm.
Our last two Open Studios events of 2024 are just around the corner, and we invite you to make this holiday season more meaningful by embracing the charm of shopping small and local. Discover unique, locally-crafted gifts that not only showcase the talent of your community’s artists but also contribute to a thriving arts scene while reducing the environmental impact of large-scale online shopping and shipping.

December Holiday Open Art Studios
2024-12-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Get ready to gift creatively! December Open Art Studios is happening the 7th and 14th from 12pm to 5 pm.
Our last two Open Studios events of 2024 are just around the corner, and we invite you to make this holiday season more meaningful by embracing the charm of shopping small and local. Discover unique, locally-crafted gifts that not only showcase the talent of your community’s artists but also contribute to a thriving arts scene while reducing the environmental impact of large-scale online shopping and shipping.
Nibbana Cafe opens at 9am for coffee and sandwiches.
The Navigation Brewing taproom and food truck opens at noon.
Free parking is available in our lots and in the shuttle-served lot at Stoklosa Middle School.
After Open Studios, Taffeta Music Hall holds live music concerts.
See you there!

Workshop: Gallery Representation with Paige Roehrig & Amor Diaz Campos
2024-12-19 18:00 - 19:30 | The Teaching Space, Studio 225, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851
Amor Díaz-Campos and Paige Roehrig will share their experience working with both artists and galleries. In this workshop, they will explore the principles, best practices, and mindsets that enable artists to thrive in their partnerships with commercial and nonprofit galleries. Providing insights to help you navigate relationships and identify opportunities that will support your creative practice.
More about Paige and Amor:
Paige Roehrig is the Programs and Operations Manager at A&BC, and manages the day-to-day operations at A&BC. Working closely with staff and consultants, she helps organize and manage the operational aspects of A&BC’s core programs and ongoing development initiatives.
Paige has been working in arts management for the last 7 years with a primary focus in art-based nonprofits. Prior to joining the A&BC Team, she served as the Gallery Coordinator at the Copley Society of Art for 5 years.
Amor Díaz-Campos is an Artist Practice Fellow at the Arts & Business Council. She is a curator from Cuba who is passionate about the transformative and healing power of the arts. She is fascinated by the unique and yet universal way in which art can tell a story, convey deep emotions, and help us understand and see ourselves, creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and connection.
In 2019, Amor co-founded the Biennial Ríos Intermitentes in Matanzas, Cuba, with Nashville-based Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons. This biennial explores themes of memory, heritage, identity, and race, while addressing the specific needs of the Matanzas community. It was recognized as one of the top 15 exhibitions of 2019 by Hyperallergic Magazine and is now in its third edition.
Registration Deadline: December 13th
Gallery Representation Registration Form: https://forms.gle/Ha1dRN8yu7uqMbUB8

Please consider making a donation to ensure that our workshops and services remain free and accessible to all.

This program is made possible through the support of The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.

Refuge Art School New Years Exhibit | 1st & 2nd Floors Mini Galleries
2025-01-01 09:00 - 2025-02-15 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Refuge Art School is hosting their very first Mini Gallery Student Artwork Exhibition at Western Avenue Studios!
Come celebrate the creativity and imagination of our middle school artists at the Fall 2024 Student Art Exhibition! This showcase highlights the hard work and talent of our students, featuring a variety of pieces they’ve created throughout the semester—from colorful paintings and expressive drawings to mixed media and unique sculptures, there’s something to inspire everyone!
The exhibition will be open from January 1st through February 15th, with a special reception on January 4th, from 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
We’ll also have a Community Canvas available for all visitors to contribute to, allowing everyone—students, parents, and community members—to add their own doodles, designs, or messages. Come be part of the creative spirit that makes our school so special!
Join us for art, connection, and inspiration as we celebrate our amazing young artists!

January Open Studios
2025-01-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Do you have art on your New Year’s resolution? Kick off 2025 with a burst of creativity at our first Open Art Studios event of the year. Immerse yourself in the magic of our creative community.
This is not just an event; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.
Five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.
This month Refuge Art School hosts a New Years Exhibit showcasing their students’work from the 2024 fall semester.
There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We ask that you keep your pup on a leash.
Admission is free. See you here!

The Art of Business Partnerships: Unlocking Local Opportunities with Suzanne Schultz
2025-01-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
This workshop will equip artists and creatives with actionable strategies to forge partnerships with local businesses in the hospitality, retail and design industries to expand their reach, enhance visibility and generate income.
Target Audience:
Artists who are looking to build their visibility and brand by creating new opportunities through partnerships in their communities.
Materials Provided:
Business Outreach Email template
Proposal Template
Collaboration Agreement Template (Contract)
The workshops are all free to attend. This opportunity will only be available virtually via Zoom.
January 21st, 2025 | 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Information and registration HERE.

Election 2024: Artists Responds | Group Exhibition | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2025-02-01 09:00 - 2025-03-12 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
The Presidential Election of 2024 and the re-election of Donald Trump has caused many highly charged emotional reactions for our artists at Western Avenue Studios and Lofts. While some celebrated change, a great many felt despair and fear for the future. What would this mean for our rights, our freedoms, our legal protections and the safety of others in our divided country? The historic answers remain to be seen, but our response is now. Our power as artists is to create and to share our ideas, emotions and stories. We have come together to share these with you and bear witness to this powerful moment. We hope you enjoy our exhibit.
This show reflects how artists of Western Avenue react to the results of the 2024 election. and the many ways it will affect our future.
This show will be in our 4th floor mini gallery, available to the public from February 1st through March 12th any day of the week 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

February Open Studios
2025-02-01 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Immerse yourself in the magic of our creative community during Open Studios. This is not just an event; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

Five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.

This month Refuge Art School continues to hosts a New Years Exhibit showcasing their work from the 2024 fall semester. We also celebrate the start of a new mini gallery show, Election 2024: Artists Respond on the 4th floor and the continuation of Amy Roberts solo show on Portraiture in the Lofts Lobby gallery.

There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We ask that you keep your pup on a leash. See you here!

McCoy Exhibition Opening Reception | Western Avenue Artists at Work
2025-02-14 09:00 - 2025-04-04 20:30 | McCoy Gallery, Walsh Way, North Andover, MA, 01845, United States
The McCoy Art Gallery is proud to present Western Avenue: Artists at Work, an exhibition celebrating the vibrant and diverse creative community of Western Avenue Studios & Lofts. This dynamic showcase features recent works by over 50 talented artists from Western Avenue, offering a unique glimpse into the innovative and varied practices of those who call this extraordinary artistic hub home.
Located in the historic textile mill complex of Lowell, MA, Western Avenue Studios & Lofts is a living testament to the power of urban preservation and transformation. With over 250 artist studios and 50 live/work lofts, Western Avenue has cultivated a thriving environment where artists across disciplines come together to create, inspire, and push the boundaries of their craft. The rich diversity of the work on display—from paintings and sculptures to mixed media, photography, and more—reflects not only the individuality of each artist but also the collective energy of this creative community.
In partnership with Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, the McCoy Gallery serves as an extension of this creative ecosystem, offering a space to share and celebrate the work of these dedicated artists with a wider audience. This exhibition, opening February 14th and running through April 4th, with an opening reception Friday February 21st, 6:30pm. – 8:30pm, invites viewers to explore the artistry that flourishes in Lowell, a city known for its rich industrial history and dynamic artistic future.
As we reflect on the spirit of Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, we are reminded of the sense of community that makes this place so unique. The interconnectedness of these artists—drawing inspiration from one another, sharing their growth, and collectively advancing their practices—mirrors the values that the McCoy Gallery holds dear. Through inquiry, dialogue, and creative expression, we aim to engage the hearts and minds of our visitors, fostering conversations that honor the transformative power of art.
We invite you to experience the creativity, collaboration, and passion that define Western Avenue, as its artists showcase their work and their community at the McCoy Gallery. Together, we celebrate the art of the handmade, the spirit of collaboration, and the joy of discovery.

Handmade | Group Textiles Show | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2025-03-01 08:00 - 2025-05-25 17:00 | Loft Lobby, 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Western Avenue Lofts artists worked together to put this exhibition together.
This show is centered around textiles and collaboration. These pieces are made by passing them around through multiple artists, and some solo pieces as well that all speak to each other in the form of all secondhand textiles.
This mini gallery will be open to the public every Open Studios 9am – 5pm or by appointment email: @mayflybus@gmail.com
Available to the public from March 1st through May 25th.

Collective Conscience: The Work of the Inaugural A4A Lowell Cohort Group Exhibition | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery
2025-03-01 09:00 - 2025-04-15 17:00 | Third Floor of WA, 122 Western Ave., Lowell, Massachusetts, 01851
Collective Conscience is a celebration of the Inaugural Assets 4 Artists Capacity Building Program Lowell Cohort’s work over the last six months. This cohort of artists all live and/or make their art in Lowell. Since the end of summer 2024, they have attended workshops, coaching sessions, and engaged in reflection on their practices. This celebration of work marks the end of the program while at the same time looking ahead at what’s to come.

The 12 members of the first Lowell Cohort of Assets for Artists have come together to share their work from the past six months. Join us during Open Studios for the opening of this exhibit containing a variety of mediums such as photography, painting, ceramics, textiles & mixed media.
Opening Reception: March 1st 3-5pm

Available to the public:

March 1st through April 15th anytime from 9am – 5pm.
Artists:
Kim-Sarah I, Veronica Williams Holmes, Makayla Boucher, Gwendolyn Lanier, Naomi Torres-Ortiz, Michele Mullet, Matthew Wolterding.

122 Western Avenue Studios, 3rd Floor Mini Gallery, Lowell MA, 01851

March Open Studios
2025-03-01 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Immerse yourself in the magic of our creative community during Open Studios. This is not just an event; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

Five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.

Enjoy our newest Lofts Lobby Gallery exhibition Handmade a group textile show. If you missed it in February, Election 2024: Artists Respond continues this month in the 4th floor mini gallery.

There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We ask that you keep your pup on a leash. See you here!

Tool Shed | Storage Closet Gallery at Lofts | Parker Aubin
2025-03-01 12:00 - 2025-05-18 17:00 | Storage Closet Gallery, 160 Western Ave, Lowell, MA, 01851
In Tool Shed, a show of sculptures by Parker Aubin at the Storage Closet Gallery from March to May 2025, Aubin questions and plays with the form and function of old hand tools, each sculpture telling a newly wrought story. Through these assemblages, he often explores serious issues but likes to use visual humor to encourage a lighthearted outlook. Aubin finds creative purpose in the repurposing of these old tools, “There is great satisfaction in taking a rusty tool with a broken wooden handle and bringing it back to life.

Aubin holds degrees in math and engineering and has worked in the civil engineering world for the past decade. It is the rural setting of Aubin’s youth in the hills of eastern Connecticut and the stories and tools of their inhabitants that have most influenced the media and methods of this body of work.

Storage Closet Galleryis a small space for art by artists at Western Avenue Lofts.

Location: Storage Closet Gallery, 160 Western Ave, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA
Dates: March 1st to May 18th, 2025
Open to the public from 12 to 5pm during Western Ave Studios & Lofts Open Studios:
Saturday, March 1st, Saturday April 5th, Saturday May 3rd, and by appointment.

Instagram: @storageclosetgallery, @parkeraubin

Contacts:
Parker Aubin, Artist, 312-350-1270, pwaubin@gmail.com

Antoinette Indge, Gallery Director, 917 696 1241, aeindge@gmail.com

Estate Planning for Visual Artists: Crafting Your Personal & Professional Legacy
2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
When: March 5th, 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Hybrid- Online & Western Avenue | Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Room #225, Lowell, MA 01851 (Enter the door labeled “122 Main Entrance” and take the stairs or elevator to the main level. The Teaching Space is to the left down the hallway.)

Overview: Artists face unique challenges when crafting their personal and professional legacies. This presentation will provide an approachable and practical framework for artists at all stages of their career looking for guidance on how and when to engage in the various stages of the estate and legacy planning process. Topics will include best practices for long-term collections management, estate planning considerations for physical artwork and intellectual property, drafting trusts and estate documents, artist legacy vehicles, and philanthropy — all through the lens of everyone’s favorite inevitabilities: death and taxes.

Who: Minerva Pinto is an attorney with a decade of experience in art, intellectual property, and trusts and estates law. She currently serves as both an Art & Collectibles Strategist and Senior Trust Officer at Goldman Sachs, working with collectors, fiduciaries, commercial/nonprofit organizations, and artists to ensure effective and tax-efficient management of passion assets across generations. Before joining Goldman Sachs in 2018, Minerva practiced intellectual property and licensing law, and gained additional art market experience at the Barnes Foundation, Freeman’s (now Freeman’s Hindman), the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, and the Glenmede Trust Company, N.A.. Passionate about the development of an equitable and sustainable art market on both a local and global scale, Minerva is active in a number of nonprofit and trade organizations including the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Center for Art Law, Responsible Art Market Initiative, and the Professional Advisors to the International Art Market.

TO ATTEND PLEASE FILL OUT FORM LINKED HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIHTV5wQKUnghNkwMSTCn8B6hZypvWFXNndq_a5yX1fC4rkg/viewform

Awakenings | Group Exhibition | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2025-04-01 09:00 - 2025-07-07 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This exhibition celebrates the timeless promise of renewal and the hope for brighter days ahead. Step into a world of light and color, where the muted grays of winter make the way for the vibrant palette of spring. Through a variety of styles and techniques, these works collectively embody the optimism of fresh starts, the potential for transformation, and the arrival of warmer seasons. With a range of mediums, artists at WA seek to inspire a sense of optimism and communicate to our visitors the enduring opportunity for new beginnings.

This exhibit is on our 4th floor mini gallery. Open to the public any day of the week anytime from 10AM – 5PM.
122 Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 4th Floor Mini Gallery, Lowell MA, 01851.

April Open Studios
2025-04-05 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Immerse yourself in the magic of our creative community during Open Studios. This is not just an event; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

Five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.

Enjoy our all that our Lofts have on display this month! The Lofts Lobby Gallery exhibition Handmade a group textile show celebrates a wide range of textiles projects. On the second floor Storage Closet Gallery artist Parker Aubin questions and plays with the form and function of old hand tools, each sculpture telling a newly wrought story.
The Studio Mini Galleries are bustling this month: On the 3rd floor the Assets 4 Artists Capacity Building Program Lowell Cohort show Collective Conscious showcases their work over the last six months. The 4th Floor’s newest show Awakenings celebrates the timeless promise of renewal and the hope for brighter days ahead.
There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We ask that you keep your pup on a leash. See you here!

Reamker - By Sokai Yoon | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
2025-04-26 09:00 - 2025-06-08 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
REAMKER
Photo by Sokai Yoon
This images capture a moment from Reamker, the Cambodian adaptation of the Ramayana, one of Asia’s most enduring epic poems. Originating in ancient India, the Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama’s quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. More than a tale of good versus evil, it explores themes of love, honor, sacrifice, and divine duty. In Cambodia, the story is retold through Reamker, where myth and morality come to life through dance and gesture—preserving centuries of cultural memory.

Come & enjoy this exhibit April 26th through June 8th. Available to see any day of the week 9AM – 5PM.

Avian Exotica | Group Exhibit | 5th Floor Mini Gallery
2025-05-01 09:00 - 2025-09-06 17:00 | 5th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Avian Exotica is an immersive exhibition that embraces Vietnam’s
bird club culture. Fourteen artists create 2D and 3D birds using unique materials that mimic Asian songbirds and their unique cages. Inspired by my travels to Vietnam, I devised an idea based on bird clubs in the parks of Hanoi, Saigon, and Hoi An. In these clubs, participants display songbirds to teach other birds their songs.
This exhibit will be available to the public May 1st through September 6th. Any day of the week 9AM – 5PM. In our 5th Floor Mini Gallery at: 122 Western Avenue Studios, Lowell MA, 01851.
With a reception held on May 3rd, 5PM – 7PM.

May Open Studios Weekend
2025-05-03 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-04 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Immerse yourself in the magic of our creative community during Open Studios. This is not just an event; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.

Five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.

Have you had a chance to see all that our Lofts have on display? If you missed them in April visit the Lofts Lobby Gallery exhibition Handmade a group textile show celebrates a wide range of textiles projects. On the second floor Storage Closet Gallery artist Parker Aubin questions and plays with the form and function of old hand tools, each sculpture telling a newly wrought story.
The Studio Mini Galleries are bustling this month: On the 2nd floor will proudly showcase Proleung Khmer: A 50-Year Journey of Remembrance and Resilience, a community show showcasing artistic and graphic descriptions of the Cambodian exodus out of Cambodia 50 years ago. Using words, photos, art, installations. The 4th floor’s show Awakenings continues this month celebrating the timeless promise of renewal and the hope for brighter days ahead. Finally the new 5th floor show Avian Exotica features cages on pedestals or hung from the ceiling, with various multimedia birds that the artists have created to embrace the voice and style of the birdcage carvings and shapes.
There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We ask that you keep your pup on a leash. See you here!

Maps of Legends | by James Flynn | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2025-05-25 09:00 - 2025-07-15 17:00 | Loft Lobby, 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Visit this amazing solo exhibit by one of our talented loft artists.
“Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to maps, paintings, and mythology—ways of seeing that connect us to the past while helping us make sense of the present. Ancient Roman and Greek myths once offered me that bridge, and now I find similar power in painting. For me, each painting is like a map, an exploration of feeling, memory, and place that leads us back to the origins of creation and forward into understanding the present moment.
I begin with a feeling and a vision of color, layering thin washes of paint that slowly build a landscape. These layers, bright, subtle, and deeply connected, interact like stories in a myth or paths on a map. My goal is to create terrain others can travel, guides that illuminate different aspects of the here and now. I see painting as an ongoing conversation, one that brings us together and invites us to look more closely at the world and ourselves.” ~ James Flynn
This exhibit will be open to the public during our monthly Open Studio Saturdays or by appointment May 25th – July 15th.
To reserve a private visit email: blackseamus@gmail.com

Spring '25 Visual Art & Fashion Show
2025-06-07 09:00 - 2025-07-07 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Join us in celebrating the culmination of our Spring 2025 semester at Refuge Art School! This exhibition features a diverse collection of artwork from over 40 students across our four spring classes, showcasing a variety of mediums and creative expressions from students grades 5-12 & post high school!
In addition to the visual art display, we’ll host a mini fashion show highlighting personalized hoodies crafted in our Sewing & Upcycling class.
Reception Details:

Date: Thursday, June 12th
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: 122 Western Avenue Studios, Studio 201 & 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, Lowell, MA

Enjoy an evening filled with:

A wide array of student artwork
Mini fashion show
Live art demonstrations
Snacks and drinks

This event is free and open to all. Bring your friends and family to support and appreciate the creativity and hard work of our talented students. Let’s come together to honor their achievements and inspire one another!
