Maps of Legends | by James Flynn | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2025-05-25 09:00 - 2025-07-15 17:00 UTC | 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!

June Open Studios & Outdoor Market
2025-06-07 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.

Summer is here and Western Avenue’s Outdoor market is back!

Outdoor tents and live performances join our usual five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, coffee shop, co-op art gallery, food truck, and brewery.

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!

July Open Studios & Outdoor Market
2025-07-05 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.

Summer is here, and weather permitting, Western Avenue’s Outdoor market is back!

Outdoor tents and live performances join our usual five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, coffee shop, co-op art gallery, food truck, and brewery.

Come take a journey through artist James Flynn’s solo show, “Maps of Legends,” in The Lofts Lobby Gallery.

In our Studio Mini Galleries, we have had some extensions of some of our extremely popular shows: The 2nd Floor Mini Gallery highlights the work of the Young Artists of Refuge with their Spring Exhibition. On the 5th floor, immerse yourself in a multi-media exhibit of exotic fowl in “Avian Exotica,” an exhibition that embraces Vietnam’s bird club culture. Extended through July 7th, the 4th Floor’s 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!

Special Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Coucil for their support in our outdoor summer events.

HEAT! | Group Exhibition | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery
2025-08-01 09:00 - 2025-08-30 17:00 | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
HEAT! is a dynamic group exhibition that delves into the many layered meanings of “heat.” From the rising temperatures of a changing climate to the intimate intensity of human passion, this show invites viewers to explore heat as both a physical and emotional force. Artists interpret “heat” through a range of lenses, urgency and resistance, energy and transformation, tension and release. Whether evoking the lazy warmth of a summer afternoon or the searing momentum of social movements, the works on display celebrate heat in all its powerful, provocative, and playful forms.

This show will be open to the public August 1st – August 30th any day of the week from 9AM – 5PM
Reception will be held on August 2nd 5PM – 7PM
See you there!

Perfect | By Emily Sandagata | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2025-08-01 12:00 - 2025-10-13 17:00 | Loft Lobby, 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Emily Sandagata’s mixed-media work blurs the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and textile art. Incorporating found objects, natural materials, and earth-based pigments, her practice is rooted in process and transformation. Through densely layered paintings and sculptural forms, Emily explores recurring themes of survival, growth, death, and redemption, offering viewers a tactile meditation on cycles of change and renewal.
Emily has chosen selected works from 12 years of residence in Western Avenue Lofts for this solo exhibit, one you won’t want to miss!
Opening reception and open to the public: August 2nd during open studios 12pm – 5pm. Show will be up August 1st – August 30th.
You can also email Emily: emilysandagata@gmail.com for a private showing outside of open studio hours!

Nap Time | By Dina Mordeno | Lofts Storage Closet Gallery
2025-08-02 10:00 - 2025-10-12 17:00 | Storage Closet Gallery, 160 Western Ave, Lowell, MA, 01851
Opening Sat Aug 2, 2025. Visit during Open Studios from August to October. Dina Mordeno’s painting series, Nap Time, utilizes the natural wood grain as a skin tone for the figures, leaving the drawing exposed to direct the focus to the figure in each piece. The bare wood mirrors the vulnerability of the napping person. As a current resident of the Western Avenue Lofts Dina works primarily as a painter creating interpretive landscapes and figurative works.
More of her work can be seen at the Loading Dock Gallery in the studios building and TAG in SOWA arts & Design district in Boston.
Storage Closet Gallery is located on the 2nd Floor of Western Avenue Lofts building.
Visitors must schedule with the coordinator for a private visit outside of open studio hours. Email: Antoinette Indge at aeindge@gmail.com

August Open Studios & Outdoor Market
2025-08-02 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.

Summer is here, and weather permitting, Western Avenue’s Outdoor market is back!

Outdoor tents and live performances join our usual five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, coffee shop, co-op art gallery, food truck, and brewery.

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!

Special Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Coucil for their support in our outdoor summer events.

Hello, My Art Is... | Group Exhibit | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2025-08-30 08:00 - 2025-10-06 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This year, Western Avenue welcomes many new artists alongside a few returning favorites! To celebrate, we’ve curated a special group exhibition introducing their work to our community of artists and visitors. This is a chance to get to know the fresh voices and creative energy shaping Western Avenue.
Join us for Open Studios on Saturday, September 6th from 12–5pm to meet the artists and explore their work, or stop by during regular business hours (Monday–Sunday, 9am–5pm).

September Open Studios & Outdoor Market
2025-09-06 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.

Just one month left of Western Avenue’s Outdoor market! Make sure to come by and check out our performers, shop our artist tents, and enjoy the food.

Outdoor tents and live performances join our usual five floors of art studios, two floors of artist lofts, coffee shop, co-op art gallery, food truck, and brewery.

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!

Special Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Coucil for their support in our outdoor summer events.

SOLID GROUND | A Group Exhibit by WA Artists | 3rd & 5th Mini Galleries
2025-09-29 09:00 - 2025-12-15 17:00 | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
As Western Avenue marks its 20th anniversary, this exhibition honors the very place that has nurtured our creative community for two decades: our historic mill buildings. These vast, storied spaces are more than walls and windows, they are the ground where we work, experiment, and grow; where artists meet, collaborate, and live as part of a culture that values creativity.
The show invites reflection on what it means to have a space dedicated to making art, a space where the artist-self is not an oddity but part of a thriving collective. Here, we are free to be authentic, playful, bold, and deeply curious in our explorations.
Featuring work in all mediums, the exhibition celebrates the physical presence of the Western Avenue complex and the role these buildings play in our shared creative life. From their historic architecture to the personal connections forged within them, the show highlights what these spaces mean to the artists who call them home.
Open to both current and former Western Avenue artists, the work on view spans the past 20 years, reflecting the evolving story of our community and its enduring connection to this place.

October 20th Anniversary Open Studios
2025-10-04 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Join us for a very special Open Studios on Saturday, October 4th, as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Western Avenue Studios & Lofts.

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.
Celebrate two decades of art, community, and creative transformation as you explore five floors of working art studios, two floors of artist lofts, a coffee shop, a co-op art gallery, a food truck, and a brewery.

This event is free and open to the public. Dog-friendly, too! We just ask that you keep your pup on a leash.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s never been a better time to experience everything Western Avenue has to offer.

We’ve got a lot of extra energy in the building for this day. Here’s what that we have going on to celebrate 20 years of creativity, community, and the place we all call home.

Rae Mansfield: Morning Acoustic Jam
Come a little early for your morning coffee at Nibbana Cafe and enjoy Western Avenue Loft playwright and performer Rae Mansfield, with her band, holding an acoustic jam session in the pit out front of the Studios. If you see her later in the day see if you can cajole her for an impromptu monologue!
ArtCity HQ: Live Mural Painting Demonstrations, Studio 195
If you didn’t get to see ArtCity’s Mural painting day at the Dutton Street Market there is still time to check out their phenomenal pieces still on display this final weekend over next to the Hamilton Canal Garage–and then hop on the COOL bus to come over and meet the artists. Quest Nine and Famous Attraxion (Jalix Delacruz) will be open this weekend where all sales of ArtCity merchandise and paintings will go towards their next ArtCity After Dark event.

Alisa Sickora: Zombie Makeup Glow-Up, Loft 201
Get into the spirit and witness a live zombie glow up! Visit the lofts on the second floor and learn about professional techniques and simple ways to amp up your spooky style.
ADVISORY: The final makeup will utilize simulated skin trauma and blood fx. Final look may not be suitable for all folks.
Live demo starting at 1:00 outside of loft 201.
Nick Lewis: Sticker Making Station, Studio 445
Nick is offering a chance for visitors to create their own grafitti style sticker in his studio and either take it home or contribute to a community stickerbomb project he’s putting together.
And check out the Mill City Trinket Trader station out side Nick’s studio!
Bring a trinket, keychain, small toy, etc. to trade!
Kay Hartung: Encaustic Monotype Demo, Studio 343
Witness the magic of painting with wax! Created with encaustic paints an encaustic monotype is made while working on a hot box which has a heated metal plate. Colorful one of a kind prints are made with this unique method.
Live demos at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00pm.
Paul Hartung: Jazz Clarinet, Studio 343
Paul will serenade the third floor halls with some soothing jazz compositions outside of Studio 343. Take a moment to pause, listen, and let the music carry you as you explore the studios nearby. It’s the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of art and connection.
Perfomances at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30pm.
Todd Davis of Middlesex Bindery: Journal Binding, Studio 318
Come visit Western Avenue’s very own book binder Todd Davis of Middlesex bindery as he demonstrates this incredible traditional craft in the construction of a beautiful leather bound journal.
Rachel Covel: Live Calligraphy Personalization, Studio 537
Come check out Rachel’s calligraphy pop-up! Visitors can bring a small object (ornament, notebook, tag, etc.) to have personalized with calligraphy, or choose from a few small items she’ll have available for purchase. Quick, fun, and portable keepsakes to celebrate open studios!
Stick around to catch her showcasing her musical talent, performing duets with her husband on guitar and bass.
TROODS: $5 Portrait, Studio 493
Here’s a fun one-of-a-kind take home! Patricia Nolan-Brown know as TROODS art will be doing $5 Portraits in her studio. Come get a quick portrait of you or your pet and commemorate your day at Western Avenue.
1:00-4:00pm
Ceramics by Nooshin: Paint Your Own Pumpkin, Studio 409
Looking for another take home project? Nooshin Manoochehri of Ceramics by Nooshin is offering Paint your own Pumpkins! Come decorate your own little ceramic pumpkin, share in the artistic experience of Western Avenue, and get ready for the halloween season.
Price $10, 12-5pm
George Middleton: Nature Painting Demonstration, Loft 109
Nature-inspired artist George Middleton will be demonstrating his realist and abstract painting techniques from his Loft. Check out his breath-taking look at both the serene and turbulent wonders of our natural world.
Debra Ciccone-OConnell: Continuous Line Drawing, Studio 409
Debra will be demonstrating how to create continuous line drawings using pen and ink, adding water soluble colored ink and hard pastel to create finished drawings. She will also demonstrate continuous line blind contour drawing to create portraits.
Michele Boll: Painting Demonstration, Studio 467
Experience Michele’s unique ability to capture and render light as she finishes her latest piece. Her style creates work that seems to glow without any additional illumination required.

Don’t forget our regular overflow parking at Stoklosa Middle School just around the corner! The shuttle to that lot will be running from 11am-6pm and drop of visitors right at the front door. All parking is free, and there are three handicapped spaces in front of the studios building.
Bonus: the shuttle bus takes you to see the beautiful Refuge Art School mural at Stoklosa Middle School!

The Quiet Between | Group Exhibit | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2025-10-24 09:00 - 2026-01-15 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
The Quiet Between is a contemplative exploration of stillness, transition, and the subtle spaces that exist between moments, emotions, and change. Featuring a diverse group of contemporary artists, this exhibit invites viewers to engage with works that inhabit the pause, between sound and silence, movement and stillness, presence and absence.This is not an exhibit of conclusions, but of questions. What does silence hold? Where do we go when we are in between? What truths live in the quiet?

Join us for Open Studios on Saturday, November 1st from 12–5pm to meet the artists and explore their work, or stop by during regular business hours (Monday–Sunday, 9am–5pm).

*This show has been extended to January 15th*

See you there!

It's Been 20 Years??? | By Maxine Farkas | Lofts Lobby Gallery
2025-10-27 08:00 - 2026-02-14 17:00 | Loft Lobby, 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
As a part of our 20th year anniversary celebration, this exhibition highlights the work of Maxine Farkas, who joined the Western Ave Artist Community twenty years ago. The show traces her artistic evolution, shaped by that creative environment. Maxine has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. Originally a fiber artist and quilter, her practice expanded as she connected with other artists in the Western Ave studios. Through this creative community, she explored painting, assemblage, and collage. In recent years, she has returned to fiber arts and quilting, creating intuitive, rule-free work enriched by the materials and techniques developed through her earlier explorations.
Reception: Lofts Lobby, December 5th, 5-7pm
Artist talk: teaching space in studio #225, November 22nd, 1PM

Join us for Open Studios on Saturday, November 1st, December 6th, January 3rd, and February 7th from 12–5pm to meet the artist and explore her work, or to schedule a private visit email Hope Flynn at: hopeaf93@outlook.com

1000 Cranes Project: A Wish for Peace | Group Exhibit | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
2025-11-01 09:00 - 2025-12-20 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
In Japanese culture, the crane symbolizes longevity, happiness, and good fortune. The legend of the senbazuru, one thousand origami cranes folded together, carries a wish for peace, a tradition that gained deep resonance in the aftermath of Hiroshima and continues today at temples in Japan. There, crane banners are left to weather in the open air, slowly dissolving as the wish is released into the world.
As part of this project, artists and creators at Western Avenue are invited to contribute to our own 1000 Cranes Project. Paper cranes will be gathered and sewn into long, colorful banners, while artists working in clay, glass, fabric, photography, embroidery, and other media are encouraged to create unique interpretations of the crane form. Together, these contributions will form a vibrant, collaborative installation celebrating creativity, community, and a shared wish for peace.
Each crane is donated by participating artists, and discussions are underway about sending the completed senbazuru to Hiroshima as a collective offering of peace after the exhibition closes.

Join us for Open Studios on Saturday, November 1st & December 6th from 12–5pm to meet the artists and explore their work, or stop by during regular business hours (Monday–Sunday, 9am–5pm).

Casas de Cartón | By gabriella alejandra aragon | Storage Closet Gallery
2025-11-01 09:00 - 2026-01-11 17:00 | Storage Closet Gallery, 160 Western Ave, Lowell, MA, 01851
Storage Closet Gallery presents Casas de Cartón, Recent Sculptures by gabriella alejandra aragon, opening November 1st, 2025, and on view through January 11, 2026. The works on display are ofrendas – altars used in Latinx communities during Día de los Muertos. Upon these altars, offerings are placed to honor loved ones who have passed. aragon’s materials are 100% recycled. Upcycling materials revitalizes the earth and mirrors the act of beckoning and welcoming back the deceased. Aragon’s altars expand the traditional meaning of ofrenda, not only honoring the dead but also offering gratitude for life.
Viewable during open studios or by appointment, email Antionette Indge at: aeindge@gmail.com
Open Studio dates and hours:
November 1st, December 6th & 13th, January 3rd. 12-5pm

November Open Studios
2025-11-01 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
November Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & LoftsSaturday, November 1st | 12-5 PM

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, and a food truck.

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!

Luminosity: Western Avenue's 20th Anniversary Fundraiser & Celebration
2025-11-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
We are so grateful to those who joined us and contributed to our luminous evening of art, performance, and celebration in support of keeping Western Avenue Studios & Lofts permanently affordable.
OUR EVENT HAS PASSED BUT YOU CAN STILL DONATE HERE
Proceeds support our mission to keep studios affordable and sustain a thriving creative community, ensuring artists can continue to live, work, and create here for years to come.

With gratitude to our generous sponsors:

Aurora Borealis Sponsor | $10,000

Eastern Salt Company, Inc.

Constellation Sponsor | $5,000

Nancy L. Donahue
Eastern Bank Foundation

Star Sponsor | $2,500

Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company
Anonymous Donor

Candlelight Sponsor | $1,000

Conway Insurance Agency, Inc.
Rockland Trust Bank
Bell Tower Commercial Real Estate Group
Gormley’s Cafe
Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Spark Sponsor | $500

O’Hearn Insurance Agency
Nina & Arthur Anton
Cindie & Jim Kazmer
Lasting Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Brenda Costello
Matt McArthur
Cheryl Tougias

OUR STORY
What began in 2005 with 45 artists moving into an old mill has grown into one of the largest artist communities in the country, in fact, the largest in New England. Nearly 400 artists now call Western Avenue Studios & Lofts home. For two decades, we’ve transformed a historic textile mill into a thriving creative campus where art is made, shared, and celebrated.
From its beginnings as the Massachusetts Mohair Plush Company — a mill that once produced high-quality fabrics for furniture, trains, and automobiles — Western Avenue has always been a place shaped by makers. Today, our artists continue that legacy.
Western Avenue is the creation of dedicated and visionary owners, artists, and investors. Now a nonprofit as part of the Arts & Business Council’s Creative Campus, we celebrate our roots as an industrial investment that turned into an artist’s dream preserved by a mission to serve. As we celebrate 20 years, we’re also looking to the future: ensuring Western Avenue remains a permanently affordable home for artists and a place where art and community can grow together for generations to come.

Interested in supporting or volunteering? Please contact marketing@westernavenuestudios.com.

Light Up The Night | Group Exhibit | 1st Floor Mini Gallery
2025-11-15 09:00 - 2026-01-10 17:00 | 1st Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This is a show focused on art that uses light or lack thereof as part of its display, still riding the excitement and inspiration that our Luminosity fundraiser brought us. Artistic lighting fixtures and pieces that require special lighting are the focus.

This is an invitation to celebrate the halfway point of winter with us, a time where the light that we cherish is so fleeting. Following the theme of ‘light’ for Western Ave’s 20th anniversary, we present art that not only celebrates the light, but challenges the norm of bright gallery light being the only way to appreciate art.

A small reception will be held in the 1st floor mini gallery at 122 Western Ave starting at 4p.m. with an artist and curator talk beginning at 5p.m.
Join us for an artist talk & reception on December 21st 4-6 PM

Small Business Saturday
2025-11-29 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Small Business Saturday at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts
Skip the big box stores and shop small with heart this Small Business Saturday at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts.
With over 350 artists under one roof, you’ll find five floors of studios and two floors of live-work lofts filled with handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts from fine art, jewelry, and textiles to ceramics, home goods, and more.
Meet the makers, support local creativity, and discover meaningful gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or just treating yourself, this is your chance to support independent artists and small businesses in your community.
Grab a coffee, explore the building, visit the Loading Dock Gallery, and take your time discovering all the creative corners Western Avenue has to offer.
This event is free and open to the public. It’s dog-friendly too, we just ask that pets stay leashed.
Support local. Shop creative. Celebrate community.

December Holiday Open Studios
2025-12-06 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Holiday Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & LoftsTwo Saturdays of Artful Holiday ShoppingSaturday, December 6 & Saturday, December 13 | 12-5 PM

Join us for not just one, but two special weekends of Holiday Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts. On December 6 and 13, discover unique, handmade gifts created by over 350 local artists across five floors of studios and two floors of artist lofts.

From fine art to ceramics, jewelry, textiles, photography, home décor, and one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers, you’ll find meaningful gifts for everyone on your list (and maybe a little something for yourself too).

Enjoy the festive atmosphere as you explore the building, sip a warm drink from the coffee shop, browse the co-op gallery, and grab a bite from the food truck.

There is no charge for this event. It is family and dog-friendly event. We just ask that pups stay leashed.

Make Western Avenue part of your holiday tradition and shop local this season.

New Year's Visual Art & Fashion Show | Group Exhibit | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
2026-01-03 09:00 - 2026-03-09 17:00 | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Refuge Art School’s New Year’s Visual Art & Fashion Show showcases the vibrant creativity of our Fall Semester students. This dynamic exhibition brings together an exciting range of work, from paintings and drawings to ceramics and upcycled, handmade fashion pieces.
But this won’t be your typical art show. We’re adding extra flair with a mini fashion walk/run at 5:30pm, spotlighting student-designed wearable art from our sewing & up cycling class. Visitors can also enjoy live painting and participate in community canvases, making the event as interactive as it is inspiring.
Join us in celebrating the incredible talent and hard work of our students during our opening reception on January 8th, 2026, from 4:30–7pm.The exhibition will be open to the public January 3rd through March 9th.
Come experience creativity, community, and the energy of a brand-new year!

January Open Studios
2026-01-03 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Join us on Saturday, January 3rd for Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts. Explore a vibrant community of artists as studios open their doors and welcome you inside their creative spaces.

With 5 floors to explore you are invited to wander through and meet artists, see works in progress, discover finished pieces, and shop one-of-a-kind handmade art. From painting and photography to fiber, mixed media, and more, every visit offers something new.

Open Studios is a relaxed, welcoming way to spend the afternoon whether you are a longtime supporter of the arts or visiting for the first time.

Saturday, January 3rd | 12–5 PMWestern Avenue Studios & Lofts122 & 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA

Free and open to the public. Four-legged friends are welcome; please just keep them on a leash.

Cool Comfort | Group Exhibit | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2026-02-02 09:00 - 2026-03-08 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Cool Comfort explores the dynamic between the cold clarity of the winter and the intimate warmth found inside -whether depicted literally or suggested through abstract form, color, and space. The outer landscapes’ austerity sharpens our awareness, revealing what feels essential. In contrast, interior warmth becomes a symbol of refuge and connection. This theme reflects how comfort is most deeply understood in relation to its opposite, allowing both representational scenes and abstract gestures to express the dynamic between the edge of chill and the warm embrace of home.

This show is open to the public February 2nd – March 8th

February Open Studios
2026-02-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Shake off the winter blues and join us on Saturday, February 7th for Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts. This is your invitation to step inside a thriving creative community where artists open their doors and share the work they love.
With 5 floors to explore, guests are encouraged to wander at their own pace, meet artists in their studios, see works in progress, discover finished pieces, and shop truly one-of-a-kind handmade art. From painting and photography to fiber, mixed media, and beyond, there is something to spark curiosity around every corner.
Open Studios is an easy, welcoming way to spend a winter afternoon, whether you are a longtime supporter of the arts or discovering Western Avenue for the first time.
Saturday, February 7th | 12–5 PM
Western Avenue Studios & Lofts
122 & 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA
This event is free and open to all. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome.

Flora & Feathers | By Kelsey Engvik | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery
2026-03-02 09:00 - 2026-04-06 17:00 | 3rd Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
This exhibition celebrates the intricate and symbiotic relationship between plants and birds through the delicate art of embroidery. The show, titled “Flora and Feathers,” goes beyond simple representation. It’s a dialogue between two worlds, rendered in stitches. One section of the gallery is dedicated to flora, featuring embroidered botanical studies that capture the unique textures of petals, the delicate veins of leaves, and the twisted forms of branches. The work here celebrates the quiet, foundational beauty of the plant world. The other section of the gallery is dedicated to feathers, where the threads mimic the varied plumage of the birds that nest among these very plants.The composition of these pieces highlights the interdependence of these two life forms—how a plant provides shelter and sustenance, and a bird contributes to pollination and seed dispersal. This visual storytelling turns each embroidered piece into a microcosm of an entire ecosystem.

Available to the public March 2nd – April 6th on the 3rd floor mini gallery and a reception held on March 2nd: 6-7PM with an artist talk at 6:30PM.
See you there!

March Open Studios
2026-03-07 12:00 - 17:00 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Spring is on the horizon, and there is no better way to welcome the season than Open Studios at Western Avenue Studios & Lofts on Saturday, March 7th. Spend the afternoon immersed in creativity as artists across the building open their studio doors.
With 5 floors to explore, visitors can wander freely through the studios, connect directly with artists, see works taking shape, and discover finished pieces ready to take home. From painting and photography to fiber, mixed media, and more, each visit offers new perspectives and fresh inspiration.
Open Studios is a relaxed and engaging experience, perfect for art lovers, curious explorers, and first-time visitors alike.
Saturday, March 7th | 12–5 PM
Western Avenue Studios & Lofts
122 & 160 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA
This event is free and open to all. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome.

She Still Loves You Nonetheless | By Cloudy Rosas | 4th Floor Mini Gallery
2026-03-14 09:00 - 2026-05-09 17:00 | 4th Floor Mini Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
When uncomfortable feelings emerge, Cloudy’s response is to compartmentalize, to break down old cardboard boxes, stitch found objects to them, and assemble them into small buildings. Through this she thinks about loneliness, depression, nature, dreams, and spirituality. There is healing the deeper we go, slowly coming back up towards learning to overcome. This exhibit is a collection of vulnerability.
This will be open to the public March 14th – May 9th
Join us for a reception on March 20th 12PM – 2PM

Artists Thrive Summit
2026-03-24 - 2026-03-26 | Western Avenue Studios & Lofts, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA, 01851, United States
Calling all artists, arts administrators, educators, and funders! Get ready to energize your creative practice and cultivate meaningful connections at the 2026 Artists Thrive Summit, taking place from March 24th-26th. Registration closes March 8th, so don’t delay!
This unique event is designed for everyone, from first-timers eager to explore new avenues to seasoned professionals looking to deepen their impact.
The Summit will be held concurrently across six vibrant locations, each offering its own unique local theme to enrich your experience: Lowell, MA, Nashville, TN, Kansas City, MO, San Antonio, TX, Billings, MT, and Las Vegas, NV! While each site offers a distinct local focus, all six locations will unite for shared sessions, fostering a truly collaborative and expansive experience. Learn more here!
Register Today!
