What’s Happening in Amherst?
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You can help us make our events calendar more comprehensive by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS (more or less)
SUNDAY MARCH 9: LUNCHEON TO DISCSS CONTINUING THE FIGHT FOR CHANGE IN 2025. 12 to 2 p.m., Cape Cod Lounge, UMass Student Union. Amherst PHENOM announces our “Spring into Action” luncheon where we will discuss the next steps for higher education advocacy and the fight for more affordable, accessible public college. The event will feature an awards ceremony for our outstanding volunteers and allies, as well as a presentation by UMass-Amherst’s Professional Staff Union and by the Greenfield Community College Student Government Association about the recent victory of tuition-free community college. There will be complimentary pizza, snacks, and drinks.
SUNDAY MARCH 9: INTRODUCTION TO WYCINANKI WITH LAURA GERYK. 1 to 3:30 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Come try wycinanki (pronounced vee-chee-nan-key)—a beautiful traditional Polish folk craft! A great activity for all levels. This workshop will explore the Lowicz-stle of wycinanki, where laers of colored paper are cut, layered, and glued to create vibrant images. Returning students will enjoy a new template. Participants will complete one piece in class. $30. All materials provided. Ages 8+ with adult accompaniment. Tickets.
SUNDAY MARCH 9: “FAIRY TALES AND MAGIC IN OPERA.” 3:30 p.m., Tillis Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. A full UMass symphony orchestra under the direction of Gonzolo Hidalgo Ardila will perform with scenes from some of the most famous magical operas, including “The Magic Flute” and “Don Giovanni” by Mozart, “Hansel and Gretel” by Humperdinck, “Rusalka” by Dvorak, “Turandot by Puccini and versions of Cinderella by Rossini and Massenet. The opera program is under the direction of Majorie Melnick and Nathan Troupe. Tickets $15, $5 for seniors and youth.
MONDAY MARCH 10: TIBETAN FLAG RAISING. 9 a.m., Town Hall steps, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Amherst Town Council proclaims March 10, 2025 as Tibetan National Uprising Day, and March 12, 2025 as Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day in recognition of the local Tibetan American community’s fight for justice for the people of Tibet on this 66th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. The Tibetan flag will fly at Town Hall until March 17.
TUESDAY MARCH 11: SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE FAIR. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue. The resource fair is free and open to all to attend. It is generously sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank, Encharter Insurance, and Magnetworks, whose support makes this event possible. “The Small Business Resource Fair is an exciting new signature event for the Chamber,” said Jacob Robinson, Executive Director of the Chamber. “It is designed to provide local entrepreneurs and small business owners with invaluable resources, connections, and opportunities for growth.” Attendees will be able to connect with 15+ organizations dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages. Hosted by State Representative Mindy Domb, The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. RSVP here.
TUESDAY MARCH 11: SLAVERY NORTH TALK: FOLLOW THE MONEY: BOSTON BANKS AND THE FINANCING OF SOUTHERN SLAVERY AND THE ENRICHMENT OF NEW ENGLAND. 3 to 4 p.m., E501 Tower Room, South College, UMass and on Zoom. Speaker: David Montero, Slavery North Artist-in-Residence Fellow, 2024-25. Moderator: Dr. Charmaine A. Nelson, Provost Professor of Art History & Founding Director Slavery North. Contrary to popular belief, the sprawling slave labor camps of the South could never have reaped such epic wealth, nor sown such epic misery, without the Boston region, and that Boston could never have prospered without leeching onto this blood-soaked wealth. The investigative methodology of following the money lays bare the fact that wealth reaped from slavery is now the banks and insurance industries of the Boston area; it is the bridges we drive over, the very streets we walk down, their names still valorizing historic injustices from which Black people continue to suffer to this day.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12: THIRD SESSION OF LIBERATORY VISIONING SERIES WITH DR. BARBARA LOVE. 5 to 6:30 p.m., Town Room of Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue and via Zoom. The Town of Amherst is engaged in a Liberatory Visioning Process designed to bring members of the town together in dialogue about how to create a community that is inclusive and welcoming to all and ensures that town policies and practices are free from bias and discrimination. Liberatory visioning was created by Dr. Barbara Love as a framework for justice, equity, belonging, and inclusion. Register.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12: SEAN MASON QUARTET. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. When Sean Mason speaks about music, you can hear the notes falling into place. The cadence of his ideas unfolds with deliberate tempo, each exploring and resolving tension like an inspired chord progression. On his debut album, The Southern Suite, he emerges as a guiding luminary, shining his introspective command as both a pianist and composer through the historic lens of jazz to create a work that distills the essence of the genre for our time, even as it points the way forward. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. See full calendar here.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12: SCREENING OF “THE COST OF INHERITANCE”: 7 to 9 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Join us for Amherst Cinema’s COMMUNITY NIGHT screening of The Cost of Inheritance, an America Reframed documentary. A panel discussion will follow, moderated by Kaliis Smith, co-host of NEPM’s The Fabulous 413. The discussion will focus on local organizing efforts around racial reckoning and repair, and the importance of the arts, public media, and philanthropy in storytelling for social change. Part of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Evolve Philanthropy Donor Engagement.
THURSDAY MARCH 13: AMHERST CINEMA BELLWETHER SERIES PRESENTS UNION WITH CO-DIRECTOR STEPHEN MAING. 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Through intimate cinema vérité, UNION chronicles the extraordinary efforts of an unlikely group of warehouse workers as they launch a grassroots union campaign at an Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York. Led by the charismatic but underestimated Chris Smalls, the diverse band of workers start the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) and embark on a journey against one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. The odds are stacked against them, as the group finds itself up against a tech industry giant with unlimited resources, without major support from national unions or politicians, and while navigating internal divisions within their own ranks. Filmmakers Brett Story and Stephen Maing document the struggle from day one, offering a gripping human drama about the fight for power and dignity in today’s globalized economic landscape.
THURSDAY MARCH 13: SINGS LIKE HELL WITH PETER CASE AND SID GRIFFIN. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Get ready for an unforgettable night of folk music as Peter Case and Sid Griffin hit the road for their “Sings Like Hell” tour inspired by Case’s iconic 1993 album. The tour showcases two legends of Americana and roots music. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. See full calendar here.
FRIDAY MARCH 14: CUPPA JOE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR KIKO MALIN. 8 a.m., Furura Coffee, 73 Cowls Road. Town Manager Paul Bockelman will be joined by Public Health Director Kiko Malin at the next Cuppa Joe with Paul. During the meeting, which is open to the public, people are welcome to ask questions about the Amherst Health Department and the Board of Health and the roles they play in monitoring community health, developing policies that promote wellness and providing essential health services.
FRIDAY MARCH 14: HISTORY BITES “THE MILLS OF FACTORY HOLLOW. 12:30 p.m., The Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Did you ever wonder why the outflow from Puffer’s Pond is called Mill River, and it flows through Factory Hollow? Brian Harvey talks about exploring the mill sites of North Amherst. Free and open to the public.
FRIDAY MARCH 14: HOT TO GO: THE CHAPPELL ROAN PARTY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Party Iconic presents “Hot to Go”, a Chappell Roan themed dance party. Your favorite party’s favorite party. Saddle up Popstars. Come dressed to express. This night is all about embracing your truest self. Tickets $20 in advance (limited $17 early bird tickets), $25 at the door. 18+ event. See full calendar here.
SATURDAY MARCH 15: MURDER MYSTERY DINNER AND SHOW. 6:30 p.m., Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue. Get ready for an evening of intrigue, dining, and dancing. For $95 a person, guests will enjoy a hors d’oeuvres and dinner buffet followed by an immersive murder mystery show that will keep everyone guessing. The night continues with dessert, a DJ and dancing, and a cash bar to keep the festivities lively. Reservations required. Book your spot online.
SUNDAY MARCH 16: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLER SHOW. 3 p.m., Tillis Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. Join us for an afternoon of wonderful family entertainment based on the works of renowned illustrator and author Eric Carle, who made a home in Northampton for more than thirty years. This critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of seventy-five lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly, and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Tickets $15 to $40. Family pack discount available.
FRIDAY MARCH 21 AND SATURDAY MARCH 22: HOW TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE: FREE WORKSHOP AND CONCERT. Concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Workshop 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Edwards Church, 297 Main Street, Northampton. Many performing arts organizations have seen a decline in their audiences, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Using the pipe organ as its vehicle, this free concert and workshop will explore best practices and principles for engaging and retaining enthusiastic audiences – for any of the performing arts. More information
The King of Instruments: A Concert of Organ Music for Its Future
This one-hour program is designed to appeal to elementary students on up! From recognizable spirituals infused with rock and jazz to “Dead Man’s Chest” from Pirates of the Caribbean, the music will provide a meaningful and exciting experience for all, including the seasoned musician. Also on the program is a youthful Trumpet Tune by the world famous YouTube phenom, organist and composer Paul Fey. Standard works by Scotson Clark, Leonardo Ciampa, Josef Rheinberger and Alexander Guilmant as well as compositions by African American composers Adolphus Hailstork and Florence Price will round out the evening.
The King of Instruments: Paths to a Successful Future for the Organ
In this interactive workshop, futurist, change facilitator, and eminent organist Randy Steere will explore emerging paths for the organ and organ music programming – revealing strategies that will attract and keep a growing audience. Whether you are an organ professional, a musician of any kind who feels like your audience is dwindling, an arts administrator, a member of the clergy or music ministry, or a lover of organ music, this vision for the future will be relevant for you. The principles of this workshop can be applied in concert halls, churches, and educational institutions to keep organ music alive and exciting. Audience reactions to the concert the night before will provide food for discussion and insight. (Attendance at the concert the night before is not a requirement to attend the workshop.). Sponsored by the Western Massachusetts chapter of the American Guild of Organ Music.
SUNDAY MARCH 23: PRO-PALESTINEAN ACTIVISM: THE ROAD AHEAD AMID POLITICAL UPHEVAL. 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Zoom. The Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership is proud to co-sponsor a timely conversation on the future of pro-Palestinian activism. Please join us to hear leading activists Huwaida Arraf (Palestinian-American activist/attorney) and Rabbi Alissa Wise (Jewish Voice for Peace and Rabbis for Ceasefire) share powerful insights and practical guidance for activists, students, educators, and community leaders. Registration required.
MONDAY MARCH 24: AUDITIONS FOR “HERCULES” WITH MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE. 4:15 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street. Presenting the latest great audition opportunity for kids from the Amherst Community Theater. Once again, we’ll be bringing in Missoula Children’s Theatre’s one-week musical theater experience for kids in grades K-12. Our past experiences with this group have been really terrific–the kids who were involved had a great time, and it was a wonderfully immersive way to have a theater experience. Many of the children who have been involved in these Missoula productions have gone on to pursue larger theater experiences in the schools and throughout the Valley—and beyond! Auditions are very entertaining and non-threatening. In general, there are spaces available for 60 cast members. In recent years everyone who auditioned was cast, but there have been years when over 100 children have auditioned for only 60 spaces. We anticipate that we may have a larger audition pool again this year, so please be aware—some auditioners may not be cast. If your child is cast, you can expect a full and very fun week, capped off with two performances in the ARMS Auditorium on Saturday, March 29th! Open large group audition… no signup or prior registration is necessary… just come and be ready to begin at 4:15pm sharp on Monday March 24th at Amherst Middle School (ARMS) cafeteria. Those auditioning should arrive at 4:00pm and plan to stay the full two hours. Rehearsals are every evening, Monday through Friday.
FRIDAY MARCH 28: HISTORY BITES “THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1936.“ 12:30 p.m., Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Josh Shanley will give a talk on the Great Flood of 1936. Free and open to the public.
SATURDAY MARCH 29: CHILDREN’S THEATER PRESENTS “HERCULES.” 2 performances: 1:30 and 4 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium, 170 Chestnut Street. A fresh look at an age-old favorite comes to Amherst Community Theater from March 24-29, 2025 when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students present HERCULES. This musical adaptation of HERCULES is part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s unique international touring project and is presented locally by Amherst Community Theater. For information and tickets, see here.
SATURDAY APRIL 5: EMPTY BOWLS FOR THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 12 to 4 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Join us for a heartwarming meal that makes a difference. Savor a delicious hearty soup while chatting with local celebrity hosts and enjoying live music, pick out a gorgeous handmade bowl from a selection of hundreds donated by local artists, and soak in the warmth of community spirit! With soups from your favorite local restaurants—plus bread, salad, and dessert—there’s a warm bowl of goodness for everyone, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Every ticket and every donation helps fill empty bowls for the 11,500+ people who rely on our Food and Nutrition Programs each year. Tickets $50 with a handcrafted bowl, $30 for meal only, $10 for children.
SUNDAY APRIL 6: TOWN WIDE RUBBISH ROUND-UP: 12 to 2 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, Town Hall-North Common, or Groff Park. The Town of Amherst is excited to announce our upcoming Rubbish Roundup on Sunday, April 6th! This community clean up event aims to bring residents together for a day of camaraderie and positive change. We invite all town residents and groups to participate, including community organizations, businesses, families, neighborhood associations, student clubs, religious communities, and any small group or individuals eager to connect with their neighbors. Together, we can make our town cleaner, greener, and even more beautiful than it already is. Volunteers will report to clean up sites throughout Amherst. Each site will be staffed by a team of captains with supplies, safety instructions, and assignments. Supplies will be provided but we encourage you to bring your own work gloves and eye protection (safety glasses or sunglasses) if you have them. Additionally, please remember to bring water, wear closed toe shoes, and apply sun protection for your comfort and safety. Sign up by March 30.
TUESDAY APRIL 8: PHYLLIS BENNIS IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHEL MOUSHABECK. 7 p.m., Room 106 Thompson Hall, UMass. Presented by the Students and Faculty for Justice in Palestine. A crucial new book is arriving at the perfect time. Understanding Palestine and Israel by renowned activist and political analyst Phyllis Bennis, with a foreword by noted Palestinian analyst Omar Baddar, cuts through the noise and delivers clear, accessible answers to the most pressing questions about the situation—questions that many have never had the opportunity to ask. The book covers events right up through Israel’s genocidal war and the 2024 US elections. You’re invited to this discussion between Phyllis Bennis and Michel Moushabeck, Palestinian American founder of Interlink Publishing. Books will be available for purchase at the event that will conclude with a book signing. Tickets. Free.
SATURDAY APRIL 26: 14TH ANNUAL UMASS DINING DINE AND DASH 5K. 11 a.m. at the Southwest horseshoe, UMass. Promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised over $50,000 for the Amherst Survival Center. The schedule for the April 26 event includes check-in at the Southwest Horseshoe starting at 9 a.m., followed by a free fun run for children 8 years old and younger at 10 a.m. The race itself begins at 11 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and lunch in the Berkshire Dining Commons at noon. The race fee is $15 for all Five-College students, $25 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 years old and under are free to participate. The race fee includes registration, and a complimentary meal at the university’s award-winning dining facilities in the Berkshire Dining Commons. Online registration ends April 24.
SUNDAY APRIL 27: 15TH ANNUAL DAFFODIL 5K/10K WALK/RUN FOR BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 10 a.m., Town Common. This community event has become the first marker of spring for the town of Amherst and draws hundreds ofcommunity members to the area to participate and cheer on their family and friends. Look forward to 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run post-race party with delicious food, and family-friendly fun. The Daffodil Run helps sustain the power of youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters by connecting adult mentors with young people in our community. Once matched they go on to build a meaningful, positive relationship that empowers the potential inherent in each child. Register.
ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS
EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS: AUTOHARP WORKSHOPS. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join Marie Hartwell-Walker and autoharp players throughout the country who participate on Zoom. Participants on Zoom also welcome.
TUESDAYS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY: AMHERST NEIGHBORS LUNCH IN TOWN. 12 to 1 p.m., Community Room, Amherst Police Station, 111 Main Street. The Lunch in Town series continues in January and February. A mixture of regulars and newcomers show up every week. Come join with a bagged lunch. There will be no gathering on January 28. Canceled if the town closes for weather.
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 10-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a new LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. The July coffee hour will be held on July 11, due to July 4 being the first Tuesday of the month.
SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH: ARTIST SOCIAL AND CRITIQUE. 6 to 8 p.m., Local Art Gallery, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. All local artists, both beginners and established, are invited to attend our Artist Social and Critique that meets every 2nd Thursday of the month in The Local Art Gallery from 6-8pm. Help us create a safe space for a supportive and constructive artistic feedback while expanding your connections to other artists. Artist social time from 6 to 6:30 p.m., Artist critique from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Share digital images by emailing to gallery@cowls.com in advance. For information, contact Shannon Borrell at gallery@cowls.com or 413-835-0966.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MARKET. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Since its launch in May 2024, the Wednesday Market has served over 700 community members. The Market is open to all, and there’s no registration and no questions asked. Just come and enjoy. We distribute fresh produce, dairy, prepared food, and delicious treats.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: BEGINNER BIRDING. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street. For ages 12 and up. An easy, level, 1/4-mile guided hike to discover more about birds: their behaviors, needs, habitats and significance. Listen, observe, sketch, photo or journal. Free
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY AND JANUARY): NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. The Drake. 44 North Pleasant Street. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Featuring the Green Street trio with a special guest. Featured set at 7:30 followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe. Full calendar of events here.
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: CRAFT AND CONVERSE. Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Are you tired of creating in solitude? Looking to connect with other artistic individuals? Grab your sketchbook, knitting bag, or water color gear and join our monthly coworking group! Craft and converse, hosted by Easthampton artist Kaia Zimmerman, is held the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This welcoming, intentional space is designed for community members to come together for a casual, social evening while pursuing their own creative projects. Drop-ins welcome, but registration encouraged for any weather-related changes in schedule. Bring your own arts or crafts project (BYOA) to work on. Ages 16+.
EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. Our Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for a performance by our special musical guests, “Healing Hearts with Harmony” at 11:00am. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions.
EVERY THURSDAY: IRISH MUSIC SESSION. The Amherst Public House, 40 University Drive. 4-7 p.m. Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Mandolin, Bouzouki and more. Jigs, Reels,Hornpipes, Polkas, Slides, and Waltz’ from around the Celtic world.
EVERY THURSDAY: STITCH CIRCLE. 4 to 6 p.m. Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Grab your needles, venture to the General Store, and join us for our first Stitch Circle. Knitters, quilters, embroidery artists, and crocheters are all invited. Free.
FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: VETERAN’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR ALL -8 a.m – 9 a.m. Large Activity Room, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell his or her personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. WELCOME: Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members. Let’s Build a Thriving Veterans Community. There are 387 Veterans in town! Sponsored by CRESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL THE CRESS OFFICE, (413) 259-3370 OR GENE HERMAN, VIETNAM VETERAN, (240) 472-7288 – CRESS VETERAN’S OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS: LIVE JAZZ AND GOOD EATS AT THE BLACK SHEEP. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Frist and third Saturdays: Masala Jazz, Second, Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Simmer Music Presents, Sundays: the Catalytics. Tip Jar.
SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAYS JANUARY THROUGH MARCH: WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bangs Community Center., 70 Boltwood Walk. The Amherst Farmers’ Market is excited to announce the launch of its Winter Market at the Bangs Community Center, right in downtown Amherst. The Winter Market will run from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday in December and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of January, February, and March. This new venue offers a spacious and familiar environment for local farmers, artisans, and crafters to showcase their goods to the community.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MARCH 7: UNFOLDING CONVENTION BY JASON WOLFE. Augusta Savage Gallery, UMass. Born in Queens in 1979, Wolfe currently lives and works in western Massachusetts. His exhibit of “bold, abstract paintings created by unfolding the conventional form into the unknown,” will run through March 7. Opening reception, Friday, February 7, 5 to 7 p.m. Information.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY MARCH 15: ARCHITECTURES OF COLLECTIVITY. Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., John Olver Design Building Gallery, UMass.An exhibition designed and curated by Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Architecture Pari Riahi. The project and research are an investigation of the relationship between architecture and its environments, exploring and analyzing housing developments and public spaces in the Parisian suburbs, which house a large population and are at times portrayed as spaces of violence, disparity, and segregation. See also here.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY MARCH 16: “TU DAU, WHEREFROM” BY XUAN PHAM. Hampshire College Art Gallery. Born in Ho Chi Minh City, interdisciplinary artist Xuan Pham emigrated to Omaha, Nebraska at the age of seven. Her artistic practice is shaped by a legacy of way and her experiences as an immigrant. Working with layers and grids, Pham traces the interconnections of trauma, migration, and race with Asian American and. Immigrant communities. Her art explores how the political and psychological dimensions of grief influence racial identity formation in the United States. Information.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY MARCH 29: EXHIBITS BY SUE KATZ AND GLORIA KEGELES. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D. Photographs and painted wood and metal assemblages by Katz explore patterns, while photographs by Kegeles find abstract form in motorcycles and brake rotors. The artists will present an Art Forum online, on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. (Register here). Gallery Hours Thursday-Sunday, 2:00- p.m.- 7:00 p.m. More information
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 5: YOUTH ENTREPRENEURIAL WORKSHOP. 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for five Saturdays, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. For grades 6-12. The DEI Department, in association with the Black Business Association of Amherst Area, is excited to announce their first program: A Youth Entrepreneurial Workshop! Young people in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join us for this free five-week program where they will learn the skills needed to develop a business and actively create and sell their own products, getting hands on experience in the process. Materials and snacks will be provided. Sign up here and we will be in touch by mid-February with an additional details. If you have questions, you can email Philip Avila at avilap@amherstma.gov.
NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: PAINTINGS BY ELAYNA STURM. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Town Hall Art Gallery, 4 Boltwood Avenue. The public is invited to meet the artist at a free reception in the gallery on Friday, March 7th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Elayna’s mediums range from murals, visual art, creative writing, and fiber arts to education and coaching. A self-described hopefully curious person, Elayna blends the divine and the mundane to expose overarching patterns in a visual storytelling of interconnectedness. About their art, Elayna says, “Shedding Layers explores both what we can shed to feel lighter and what we can transform to create the lives and worlds we want to be a part of. Venturing to get to the core of what matters, Shedding Layers seeks to cultivate brighter joy and deeper roots.” Elayna resides in Western Massachusetts and has ties to the North Shore of Massachusetts, the Bay Area of California, and the Olympic forests of Washington state.
NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: MULTIVERSE: AN EXHIBIT FEATURING MULTIPLE ARTISTS. Hampden Gallery, UMass. curated by D. Dominick Lombardi, from Feb. 17-April 30. “Multiverse” focuses on the recognition, conscious or subconscious, and interpretation of the concept of the multiverse in contemporary visual art. Showcasing digital art from Europe and the Americas juxtaposed with analog works by artists from the northeastern U.S., Lombardi gives visitors the opportunity to see and discuss previously unimagined possibilities. A reception and curator’s talk with Lombardi is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Friday April 4. Information.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MAY 9: IS ANYTHING THE MATTER? DRAWINGS BY LAYLAH ALI AND HIGH FIVE/TAKE FIVE. UMass Museum of Contemporary Art. “Is anything the matter?” includes more than one hundred drawings by Ali dating from 1993 to 2020. Though the drawings range in format – including ink, colored pencil, soluble crayon, colored marker and mixed media works – each piece explores Ali’s ongoing interest in the amalgam of race, power, gendering, human frailty and murky politics. High Five / Take Five” is an interactive exhibition featuring five art works from the museum’s permanent collection. Each piece will be accompanied by a prompt that asks participants to engage their senses, look closely and respond to the artworks through drawing, listening and writing. Gallery Talk: Wednesday, February 19, 4 to 5 p.m. More information.
THURSDAY MARCH 27 THROUGH FRIDAY MAY 9: (OFF) BALANCE: ART IN THE ATE OF HUMAN IMPACT. UMass Museum of Contemporary Art. The Graduate Curatorial Exhibition, co-curated by Adeyemi Adebayo, M.F.A. studio arts candidate, Eva Barajas, M.A. art education candidate, and Bo Kim, M.F.A. studio arts candidate, invites viewers to explore the intricate ways we interact with, interpret and shape our environment and challenges audiences to reflect on themes of transformation, human intervention and the tension between destruction and conservation. Opening reception Wednesday, March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. Information.