Watercolor: Controlled Chaos
2022-02-03 17:30 - 20:30 UTC | Refuge Lowell, 122 Western Ave. Studio #A110, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Watercolor has a reputation of being hard to control, with precision and detail difficult to attain. In this course, Lowell-based illustrator and painter Ashley Eisenman will help students to “learn to let go” and embrace watercolor painting as expressive, versatile, and fun. Through a varied set of classes, students will gain skills in the fundamentals of watercolor painting and composition, sketching, color mixing and choice, and how to create representational pieces from abstract beginnings. Students will be encouraged to experiment with a variety of subjects including abstract expressions, portraits of humans and animals, and pop-art.
Instructor: Ashley Eisenman
Co-instructor: Emily Watso
Required materials: Wear a mask, sketchbook, favorite personal brushes or paints, & clothes you don’t mind getting messy, snacks, and something to drink.
*Please inform us in advance of any food allergies.
Due to new health and safety concerns, we ask that students come to class with a mask. We will provide hand sanitizer and wipe down working areas with disinfectant before and after class. Shields and limited class sizes will also be implemented during this time. We ask that if your child or a household family member does not feel well to be open and communicate with us about your child missing class as a precautionary measure. Restaurant rules apply for snacks and drinks… students will be allowed to eat and drink at their work space but must wear masks when traveling through the studio.

Portals of Imagination at Loading Dock Gallery
2022-03-02 12:00 - 17:30, 2022-03-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
The power of imagination is explored and celebrated this March by the Loading Dock Gallery with its new show, Portals of Imagination featuring the inspired works of John Dunkelberg and Debra O’Connell.
The combination of Dunkelberg’s fantastical photography and O’Connell’s storytelling through traditional, digital, and multi-media art challenges the art lover’s perceptions, using the power of imagination to transport them to new insights, locales, times, or even other worlds.
John Dunkelberg uses his photography to create extraordinary visuals with inspirations that range from the Pre-Raphaelites to the artists of the golden age of fantasy such as Frazetta and Vallejo. John’s fresh and innovative work takes the viewer on a journey of the senses. A member of the Hudson Art Studios, in Hudson, Massachusetts, John shoots much of his primary photography there.
Debra O’Connell uses a combination of painting, drawing, printing, paper collage, and mixed media to express the impressions she receives regarding the ever-changing facets of life, communication of thoughts, feelings, emotions, and personal memories. Her artistic storytelling is highly relatable to the viewer. Debra’s artistic home is Nova Art Studios, N. Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and her home studio Chelmsford MA.
Portals of Imagination provides an opportunity for viewing artwork that is multifaceted, abstracted, and representational all at the same time playing with color and imagery in a way that is both intentional and intuitive. We invite you to join us and enjoy this wonderful, unique art show experience.
Portals of Imagination runs March 2-27, 2022, at Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, in Lowell, MA. Loading Dock Gallery is open noon to 5:30pm, Wednesday through Saturday, and noon-4pm on Sundays. Join the artists for a reception 3-5pm, Saturday, March 5, during Western Avenue Studios monthly open house, which runs from noon-5pm.
Loading Dock Gallery is part of Loading Dock Arts, Inc., a 501c3. For more details, visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.

Portfolio Development - Concept & Personal Voice
2022-02-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Refuge Lowell, 122 Western Ave. Studio #A110, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Portfolio Development is for students who are serious about making art and those who plan to build visual portfolios for private school admission or college level admission. Serious students of any age can build a portfolio, as it is a body of work that shows an understanding of drawing, painting, composition, and concept. Students will be encouraged to explore new techniques, strengthen their understanding of mediums, and develop conceptual work that is meaningful to them.
This program is open to ALL STUDENTS who love to create and those who seek more guidance to grow artistically, regardless of portfolio requirements.
(ages 13 and up)
Instructor: Courtney Wilson
Co-instructor: Maritza Lezama

*Please inform us in advance of any food allergies.

Due to new health and safety concerns, we ask that students come to class with a mask. We will provide hand sanitizer and wipe down working areas with disinfectant before and after class. Shields and limited class sizes will also be implemented during this time. We ask that if your child or a household family member does not feel well to be open and communicate with us about your child missing class as a precautionary measure. Restaurant rules apply for snacks and drinks… students will be allowed to eat and drink at their work space but must wear masks when traveling through the studio.

Fine Arts For Middle Schoolers
2022-01-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Refuge Lowell, 122 Western Ave. Studio #A110, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Fine Arts for Middle Schoolers: Cultivating personal expression, creative problem solving, and a community of young artists. Fine Arts for Middle Schoolers is an opportunity for middle school students to cultivate their own creativity and personal expression while learning about various art mediums and techniques. Students will be introduced to contemporary artists to deepen their awareness of what it means to be an artist. Creative problem solving and artistic risks will be encouraged while building a community of inclusion and understanding.
Instructor: Kelsey Hammond
Co-instructor: Anisett Bonet
*Please inform us in advance of any food allergies.
Due to health and safety concerns, we ask that students come to class with a mask. We will provide hand sanitizer and wipe down working areas with disinfectant before and after class. Shields and limited class sizes will also be implemented during this time. We ask that if your child or a household family member does not feel well to be open and communicate with us about your child missing class as a precautionary measure. Restaurant rules apply for snacks and drinks… students will be allowed to eat and drink at their work space but must wear masks when traveling through the studio.

Animal Love at Loading Dock Gallery
2022-03-30 12:00 - 17:30, 2022-04-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Animal Love, Loading Dock Gallery’s April show, celebrates animals familiar and wild. Work ranges from abstracted to representational, and includes photography, sculpture, and collage. Animals mean so much to so many. Intelligent, resourceful, animals are our guides, teachers, and friends in this world.

Tracy Allegro combines collage and paint in playful scenes. Nancy Blasi emphasizes birds as friends and messengers. Nancy Bates Dapkiewicz’s photography records intimate, unstaged moments. Paintings by Linda Dunn and Nancy Zacks emphasize connection to animals as our companions. Laurie Simko’s new abstract representational collage series present visual narratives graceful and serene. Whimsical sculpture and mosaics by Laurie Beth Mangili-Gaines complete the show.

Animal Love runs March 30-May 1, at Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA. Open noon-5:30pm, Wednesday-Saturday; noon-4pm Sundays. Reception 3-5pm, Saturday, April 2. Loading Dock Gallery is part of Loading Dock Arts, Inc., a 501c3. For details, visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.

April Open Studios
2022-04-02 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Warmer days here and the weather isn’t the only thing heating up. Our Open Art Studios events just keep getting better and better. Come get lost in a world of art and experience The Creative Soul of Lowell in person.

Food truck of the day: Empanada Dada

This month the Loading Dock Gallery hosts a show titled Animal Love. Animal Love celebrates animals familiar and wild: our guides, teachers, and friends sharing this world.

Covid-19 Guidelines:
– Face coverings/masks are not required but recommended since some studios and businesses may require them for admission into their space.
– Guests who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or have been instructed to quarantine by a medical professional should not attend.
– We will have hand sanitation stations throughout the building.

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

Chrysalis: Sylv Litz – Mini Gallery Show
2022-04-02 12:00 - 17:30, 2022-04-03 12:00 - 16:00 | 5th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This Mini Gallery Art Show can be found in our 5th Floor Mini Gallery, near studio 599. Featuring the work of Loft Artist Sylv Litz, a newcomer to our Western Avenue community. A series of upcycled works exploring evolution and growth.
The artist reception will be on April 2nd from 3-5 pm, during our April Open Studios event.
Covid-19 Guidelines:
– Face coverings/masks are not required but recommended since some studios and businesses may require them for admission into their space.
– Guests who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or have been instructed to quarantine by a medical professional should not attend.
– We will have hand sanitation stations throughout the building.
There is no charge for this event. This event is dog-friendly. We just ask that you keep your pup on a leash.
