The Valley Arts Newsletter is a weekly newsletter published on Tuesdays with listings for art shows & events, craft fairs & pop-ups, calls for artists, art classes, studio space, and art/ist crowdfunding. Listings are submitted by our readers and are focused on the visual arts in the Pioneer Valley area of western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties). See the Submissions page for details about submitting your listing. Listings are free!

Featured Listings:

Shutesbury Open Studios

Date: Sunday, June 29, 12-5pm
Location: various artists homes & studios
Address: see map on website
City/Town: Shutesbury
Website: greenbrownart.com/shutesbury-open-studios

Seventeen artists (seven new this year) will be opening their homes and studios to show you their work which includes: pottery, painting, prints, baskets, drawing, leather work, sculpture, soft sculpture, quilts, masks and more! This second annual event promises to be even more exciting than last year. Come join us for an uplifting, inspiring day. Support local artists, pick up something you love, fill your eyes with beauty, meet your neighbors and have some wonderful conversations.

Contact: Joan Green
[email protected]
617-955-4947

DOMESTIC RADIUS

Artist: Laura Holland
Start Date: June 5, 2025
End Date: June 28, 2025
Location: Gallery A3
Hours: Thur-Sun 2-7pm
Address: 28 Amity Street 1D
City/Town: Amherst
Website: gallerya3.com

Recent photographs and artist books that fall within the sweep of a DOMESTIC RADIUS--a physical and emotional space encircling the artist’s heart and home. Subject matter embraces a discarded bicycle, over-abundant azalea blossoms, and a missing sock, all with elegiac undertones. The sock, for example, seems all pink and yellow playfulness, but also suggests a story of loss and resilience. Art forum online: June 19, 7:30pm, with guest speaker Robbie Moll. Pre-register on website.

Contact: Laura Holland
[email protected]
413-695-0035

Illustrating Picture Books: An Introduction with Ruth Sanderson

Date & Time: Thursdays, July 3-24, 6:30-9pm
Fee: $250
Location: The Community Classroom
Address: 88 Maple Street
City/Town: Florence
Website: ruthsanderson.com

This four-week workshop will introduce skills in drawing and character design for children's picture books. Classes will include drawing exercises and demonstrations, critiques, handouts, and information on agents and publishers. (A separate writing course is offered on Mondays) Local author/Illustrator Ruth Sanderson has illustrated over 90 books for children and co-founded the graduate program in Children's Literature and Illustration at Hollins University in Virginia.

Contact: Ruth Sanderson
[email protected]
413-320-5971

Want your listing featured in this top spot? Visit the Submissions page for details

Click Here to view the Valley Arts Newsletter - June 17, 2025