It feels like summer. It looks like summer. And on Aug. 12, it will sound like summer.

Join us for Summer Sounds AHA! Night in Downtown New Bedford. Stroll the streets and be serenaded by a sampling of musical styles including jazz, folk, traditional bag piping, Caribbean steel drums, good ol’ rock-n-roll & more.

The New Bedford Art Museum is pleased to announce an evening with Dr. Alan Poole, the Editor of Birds of North American Online, Thursday, July 29, 2010. A reception at 6:00 P.M. will be followed at 7:00 P.M. by Dr. Poole’s lecture, Audubon as Inspiration. The event is part of the continuing educational programming for the NBAM’s exhibition Taking Flight: The Birds of John James Audubon from the Collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library. The cost is $20 per person.

It takes a lot of determination to stage an event as large as the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. Particularly when you consider that the organizing committee is a small group of volunteers, this year numbering just nineteen men, who have spent the better part of a year carving out plans for the annual four day event that kicks off this year on July 29. But there’s a good reason why these men, their families, their colleagues from the Club Madeirense S. S. Sacramento and upwards of 200,000 people gather every summer for one glorious weekend of celebration. Call it tradition or call it cultural heritage but be sure to call the festa as it is known in Portuguese unique in the most grand of ways.

The public is cordially invited to the Annual Meeting of the Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust on Thursday, July 29, 2009, 5:00 P.M. at the historic Wamsutta Club (James Arnold/William J. Rotch Mansion) 427 County Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Refreshments will be served following the brief business meeting and special guest lecture. Michael P. Dyer, Maritime Curator, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is the guest speaker.

On July 27th at 8 pm, the UMass Dartmouth Summer Program in Portuguese will be hosting Brazilian singer Valdisa Moura and her band as part of its summer cultural activities calendar.

The New Bedford Art Museum is pleased to announce the Garden Party On the Bay on Friday evening, July 23, 2010 hosted by Phoebe and Chip Perry at their Marion home. From 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. guests will enjoy live jazz, strolling on the lawn, sailboat gazing, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds support the educational programs and exhibitions of the New Bedford Art Museum allowing it to continue its mission of engaging the public in experiencing, understanding and appreciating art.

July 23 through August 1, 2010 at 1740 Main Road, Westport Point, MA 02791
Open M–F from 11 am to 4 pm and weekends from 11 am to 5 pm.

The eagerly anticipated WAG Summer Show is FREE and open to the public. The Show features artworks by WAG and other local artists, plus handcrafts by local artisans. Crafts include hand-crafted jewelry, woodcrafts, pottery, hand-blown glass jewelry and vases, crocheted items, scarves, art prints and more! All arts & crafts are for sale.

Don’t miss our famous “Raffle Wall” and your chance to win a piece by your favorite artist! Ready-for-framing 5” x 7” artworks by WAG artists will be raffled. Chances are one for $2.00, three for $5.00, and eight for $10.00. The drawing will be held Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 4:30 pm.

Kids take the stage during AHA! Night, July 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 at the New Bedford Art Museum. Surrounded by John James Audubon‘s life size birds from the Condor to the Ivory Billed Woodpecker and Roseate Spoonbill, master educators and artists Jason Eckhardt, Ron Johansen and Dr. Alan Powers will teach kids and interested adults to take flight through the arts of sketching, carving and bird song.

Call for Artists / Please post or forward to your artist friends!
Help Gallery X celebrate it’s 20th Birthday with our biggest show ever!!!
Public Hanging XXI
Aug. 4—Sept. 11. 2010
Open community art show. Public can submit up to 3 pieces of art (Paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fabrics, etc.) at $10 per piece for inclusion in the show. Submit your work to Gallery X during the week of July 28-Aug. 1st.during regular hours. Visiting artists may contribute up to three pieces for a nominal fee of $10 per piece (Make checks payable to Gallery X). Members of the Gallery can enter their work without a fee. Do be certain that your work is prepared to be displayed. The Hanging itself will take place on the evening of Monday the 2nd of August, All work should be ready to hang with wire or proper hanging attachments. Any work mailed should include paid return postage. 2D work should be no larger than 4 ft. square. Gallery X is not responsible for work damaged in Gallery during and after commencement of exhibition…
Also in conjunction with the August Swain School activities at the Star Store and Crowell’s there will be many Alumni in exhibition and there will be special tags to highlight their work and what years they attended Swain.

Drop-off dates: July 28—Aug. 1, during Gallery hours.
Reception Sat. Aug 7, 7-10pm

Gallery X
169 William ST.
New Bedford, MA 03740
www.galleryx.org
508 992-2675
Gallery hours - Wed.-Fri. 11am-5pm, Sat. & Sun. 11am-3pm

Curators for exhibit, Charles Hauck, Don Wilkinson and John Nieman

So get busy! We would like to include as many local artists as possible….

New Bedford, MA—March 17, 2010—The New England Business Bulletin, a product of SouthCoast Media Group, is proud to announce the second annual Top Young Professionals Under 40 Awards Program.

The 7th Annual South Coast Open Studio Tour is taking place over two summer weekends this year, on July 17th and 18th and August 21st and 22nd, from 11am to 5pm. SCA is a non-profit (pending) organization of artists from the south coast regions of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

START YOUR ART ENGINES, this year’s theme, adds a unique spin to the highly attended summer open studio tours. Member artists will utilize a wide variety of technique, media, process and subject matter, all relating to Engines, to interpret this year’s “touring” theme. See their unique and thoughtful interpretations as you enjoy this year's Tour.

On Saturday, June 26, the New Bedford Preservation Society will present its 7th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour. The tour will feature Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford, where historic portrayals in period costume will take place at the gravesites of New Bedford notables along the tour route.

Always a popular event, this year’s tour will focus on the older, south section of Oak Grove, where many of the city’s oldest, distinguished families are buried. Cemeteries have been called outdoor museums, windows to the culture of the past. They not only serve as a resting place for the departed, they tell us much about the times in which they lived. Tour guides will highlight some of the elaborate memorials and explain the symbolism represented by the sculpture and decorative designs on the headstones.

Join us for the June AHA! Night & explore New Bedford’s rich history and outstanding architecture. Local experts lead tours on cobblestone streets, docks and lesser known byways. June 10th is also the Day of Portugal’s annual celebration and the festivities stretch across Downtown!

The portrait has been an art form since ancient times. It has been used to record the likeness, personality, and mood of the sitter. In western art the most famous portrait may be the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Yet portraiture can be traced to those made in the Vilhonneur grotto in France thought to be 27,000 years old.

Portraits were made to document and to save the likeness of historic figures such as kings, queens, emperors, and gods. Artists have also depicted scenes from everyday life showing families, other artists, writers, inventors, etc. Often these works include personal belongings that tell the viewer more about the subject.

The New Bedford Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Birds of the Enlightenment: Predecessors and Contemporaries of J.J. Audubon curated by Tom Puryear on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 4:30 – 6:30 P.M.

Birds of the Enlightenment is a compliment to Taking Flight: The Birds of John James Audubon from the Collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library.

It opens concurrently with Vault Series: Portraits curated by Joan Backes. All three exhibitions run through September 11, 2010.

The Westport Art Group offers this Tour only once every 3 years, so don’t miss it. Sign up now! “Artist in the Garden” is taking place in Westport Harbor this year, a beautiful part of Westport. We are hoping for a fabulous June day, perfect for delightful vistas and gardens in Westport Harbor. There will be 20 different artists painting plein air, and participating artists may include Dora Atwater Milliken, Meredith Cornell, Heide Hallemeier, Kris Donovan, Dennis Broadbent, Sarah Desjardins and many other talented WAG artists.

The Westport Art Group , 1740 Main Road, Westport Point, is pleased to offer Summer Camp for Kids. There will be two sessions with the theme of “Reduce-Reuse-Remarkable”, A Summer Camp for Young Artists. The first session is Monday–Friday, August 9–13 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and the second separate session is Monday–Friday, August 16–20 at the same time. The camp is for students ages 7–12.

The Audubon Preservation Partnership comprised of The New Bedford Free Public Library & The New Bedford Art Museum is delighted to announce the opening of Taking Flight! The Birds of John James Audubon from the Collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Art Museum. The opening reception is preceded by a talk and screening of the Nova documentary, Haunted Cry of a Long Gone Bird with special guest and director, Richard Wheeler. The screening is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. in the Lecture Hall of the New Bedford Free Public Library. The opening and Mr. Wheeler’s presentation are free and open to the public.

WHALE, the Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE, invites its members and the general public to help clean up the site of the John Howland Jr. House on 38 South Sixth Street in New Bedford this Saturday, May 15 from 9AM to 12 Noon.

The Westport Art Group is proud to present a pastel painting demonstration by Jean Hirons, a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, the Maryland Pastel Society, and the Pastel Painters’ Society of Cape Cod.

New Bedford, MA. – The 2010 Greater New Bedford Summerfest Folk Festival will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary by featuring the best in contemporary, traditional and Celtic folk music from Friday July 2 through Sunday July 4, 2010 in the Whaling National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Summerfest is an affordable destination for families seeking a fun-filled Independence Day weekend.

In celebration of National Preservation Month, the New Bedford Preservation Coalition is sponsoring a free, hands-on workshop on restoring wooden windows at the Corson Maritime Learning Center (adjacent to the Visitor Center) on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 9AM-12Noon. The workshop will be presented by Jade Mortimer of the New England Window Restoration Alliance (NWRA). The NWRA website (http://www.windowrestorationne.org) offers a tip sheet that features the top ten reasons to restore your wooden windows.

Join us for the May 13 AHA! Night as art, history and architecture come alive through a celebration of the houses of worship and other unique spaces of Downtown New Bedford. May is also Preservation Month, the perfect opportunity to recognize the hard work of those who protect and care for our City’s history as well as taking the opportunity to explore the built environment & how it adds to the vibrant texture of New Bedford.

* Architectural Preservation Trolley Tour of New Bedford presented by WHALE
* Custom House Square Design Slide Slam: Visions by Roger Williams University students @ NB Whaling National Historical Park
* NB Preservation Society hosts Elm Award Ceremony @ the NB Public Library
* Evening Neighborhood Walking Tour led by Citizen Schools students & NB Preservation Society (presented in part by the RJD House & Garden Museum)
* Guided tour including Tiffany mosaic @ Pilgrim UCC
* UMD Kekeli African Drum and Dance Ensemble @ Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
* Calling all kids! Get a fresh view of Downtown with the Junior Ranger Program @ NB Whaling National Historical Park
* KiwiGreenLeft16: Works by Joel Monty @ Salon Lola
* NB Symphony Duos @ Grace Episcopal Church & Seamen’s Bethel.
* “Community Places”: Student exhibit featuring the Taylor, Gomes & Ashley Elementary Schools @ Artworks!
* What is the Sky? A community chalk mural created by the NB Boys & Girls Club & UMD CVPA
* AHA! Night Classical Music Series plus stroll the Labyrinth @ First Unitarian Church
* New AHA! Partner! The Performing Arts Coalition of the Zeiterion Theatre: The Z, NB Symphony Orchestra, NB Festival Theatre & the Southcoast Children’s Theatre
* Ribbon cuttings for the new location of Michelle Carr Photography & the restoration of the Custom House Square fountain

If your destination is New Bedford, Massachusetts - be sure to check out our New Bedford Calendar of Events - HERE

New Bedford, Massachusetts- The Ocean Explorium at New Bedford Seaport is honored to announce the official opening ceremony and press conference for the newly installed exhibit, "SEA & ICE: The Extraordinary Life of Captain Bob Bartlett", the twentieth century’s most famous ice captain.

South Coast Artists, a non-profit (pending) organization serving the coastal communities of Dartmouth and Westport, MA and Little Compton and Tiverton, RI, is offering its second Spring Workshop called "IT'S A BLAST; EMAIL MARKETING 101" on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 10am to 2pm at the Southworth Library, 732 Dartmouth Street, Dartmouth, MA. This workshop will teach artists the essential practices and value of an Email Marketing Plan. At the end of the workshop, the artist will understand the key elements of why and how to create and launch a basic email campaign.

This informative workshop will be taught by Bob Salvas, Marketing Consultant of Success-Mail Inc.. Bob is a recognized expert in the field of direct mail marketing. He teaches the basics and value of creating a strategic email marketing plan in this three and a half hour workshop. The fee for members is $25, non-members, $50.

Please visit www.southcoastartists.org for more information and to register – Space is limited!

NEW BEDFORD—The Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE) yesterday officially purchased the John Howland Jr. House located at 38 South Sixth Street in New Bedford saving the property from demolition. The nonprofit historic preservation organization closed on the property Thursday afternoon, purchasing it from F & S Enterprises Inc. of Rhode Island.

Join us tomorrow night as we celebrate the joys of Spring as well as the Emergence of fresh ideas, young talent & budding artists. The weather is going to be beautiful so come early and stay late. And be sure to tell everyone you know that it’s all happening in Downtown New Bedford!

* NB Public Schools Continuous Concert @ Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
* Celebrate Earth Eve with Massachusetts’ only Eco-Friendly People Powered Parade
* Right Whale Science Activities @ NB Whaling Museum
* Sicilian Reflections: Anthony J. Miraglia showing @ Judith Klein Art Gallery
* 2010 Graduate MFA Exhibition at UMass Dartmouth CVPA @ Star Store
* WHALE presents "Transforming New Bedford: The Story of WHALE” plus hear about the John Howland Jr. House Project
* NBAM’s Art@8: New Bedford Invitational Slide Slam featuring artists from central/downtown NB
* Mini-Spa: celebrate Spring with a night of beauty @ Calico
* Return of the AHA! Photo Booth @ the Garage
* Seed planting & newly-hatched Cardinal Fish @ NB Ocean Explorium
* Kite-making @ the NB Whaling National Historical Park
* Join special guests WCAI FM, the Cape and Islands NPR Station, for Pub Night @ Candleworks
* NB Public Schools District Wide Art Show Highlights featuring over 600 pieces of art

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts has launched a photo contest as part of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism. We all look at the world through our own unique set of “lenses” that filter our perceptions of people, places, events and experiences. The YWCA wants to see diversity through your “lens” and invites you to “focus” in on what diversity and inclusion means to you. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and a dramatic image can change and enhance our perception and understanding. Amateur photographers, young people and adults alike are invited to capture images of the SouthCoast’s diversity.

Spring has arrived bringing with it new life, warmer weather and longer days. Join us for the April AHA! Night when we celebrate those joys of Spring as well as the Emergence of fresh ideas, young talent & budding artists.

This evening also plays host to the annual "Earth Eve" People Powered Parade--Massachusetts’ only eco-friendly parade geared toward the 3 Rs: reducing, reusing and recycling!