New Bedford‘s cultural scene presents plenty of opportunities to learn and discover something new. Plan a trip to the historic downtown around one of these lectures or sign up for a workshop that will connect you with the educators and artists who make New Bedford a fascinating place to be.

While New Bedford takes pride in taking Melville seriously, a lecture such as “What Does Melville Mean to Me?” provides everyone with a window into the riches of this author’s writing.  The lecture is in honor of Herman Melville’s Birthday and features a panel discussion with Rinde Eckert and Ricardo Pitts-Wiley. It will be presented on Thursday, July 26 at 7:30 PM in the Whaling Museum’s theater.  If you have not yet been in the museum theater take this opportunity to visit, sit amongst the gallant maritime paintings and tune into the words that still shape the pulse of New Bedford. This event is sponsored by Baker Books and co-organized with the Melville Society Cultural Project. 

For a change of pace, stop in for a visit to the Serlingpa Meditation Center. Here you will find teachings on the “Path to Pure Happiness”. This Buddhist teachings and meditation workshop is taught by Buddhist Monk Kelsang Dorje on Wednesdays now through July 18, 6:30-8 PM. Simply stepping foot into the center, which is located in the new HallKeen Union Street Lofts development, brings your stress level down and opens new possibilities.

If it is hands-on learning you seek, New Bedford’s cultural venues provide several options. At the New Bedford Art Museum (NBAM) adults can sign up for morning or evening light outdoor summer drawing and painting programs. These classes are intended for beginners as well as more experienced artists and allow you to spend concentrated time with one art instructor amidst the area’s captivating landscape. Beloved “Sketching-By-The-Sea” teacher, David Baggarly, is back again to lead this program. David has an MFA degree in painting from the Maryland Institute, College of Art, in Baltimore. On the topic of teaching he states, “My goal is to help the student learn who they are as an artist, what medium they most enjoy and how to find their own style and expression.”  The class series started in June, but is designed so that students can join in anytime.

Click on the link above to find out how to register and for additional information.

You can also find arts learning opportunities at Artworks!  This community art center and gallery offers programs throughout the year for children and adults.  Parents may want to look into the the “Cool Arts Kids Summer 2007” program that engages children in the arts and sharpens their creative skills. This camp is built around themed weeklong sessions. The schedule includes: The Art of Storytelling—July 9-13; Abra Kadabra! It’s Art!—July 16-20; Arworks! At Allen’s Point—July 23-27; and Lions and Tigers and Art, Oh My!—July 30-Aug 3.  Click on the Arworks! link above for more information.
 
If a class is too much of a time commitment for your summer schedule, you might want to stop by the knot-tying demonstration and “Make and Take Crafts” workshops which take place on Saturdays as part of the Whaling Museum and National Historical Park’s Maritime Heritage Days.  These are fun activities for the whole family.  The knot-tying demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 from 12-2 PM and takes place at the Waterfront Visitors Center.  The “Make and Take Crafts” workshop is 12-1:30 PM (please check with The Whaling Museum for this location). 

Looking ahead, the Heritage Days feature fish splitting on July 28th, blacksmithing on August 4th,.netmaking on August 11th, a coopering demonstration on August 18th, and figurehead carving on August 25th. All of these Saturdays also include “Make and Take Crafts.”

These are just a few of the intriguing learning opportunities in the heart of New Bedford.  Visit the calendar section of this website, click on “search” and select “classes & learning” to find more opportunities to learn and engage in New Bedford Culture.

AHA! (Art, History & Architecture)

AHA! presents 2nd Thursday year-round FREE nights of Art, History & Architecture programs in Downtown New Bedford with 37-venue partners.

Call us at 508-264-8859 or visit us at www.ahanewbedford.org.

The AHA! Project was formed in 1999 by a dedicated circle of cultural leaders, downtown businesses and individual artists. Since July of that year, the project has continuously presented its 2nd Thursday events. What originally included 14 venues now numbers 37 and spans eight galleries, three museums, The National Historical Park, City Hall and The Library, many of the downtown’s unique stores, restaurants and cafes as well as individual artist studios, a meditation center, several churches, The Bristol Building, The New Bedford Preservation Society and The UMass Dartmouth CVPA Star Store.  AHA!’s mission is to collectively promote downtown culture and work towards greater sustainability of the downtown cultural scene and partner organizations.

AHA!’s articles on http://newbedford360.com are part of an expanding effort to bring more attention to the wealth of cultural events and experiences happening in downtown New Bedford.

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