New Bedford Art Museum

Address
608 Pleasant St
New Bedford, MA 02740 United States Get Directions
Phone (508) 961-3072
Events at this venue
Today
  • The Homecoming

    The Homecoming

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    In June 2025, the New Bedford Art Museum marked its 30th anniversary with an exhibition that both investigated the rich history of locally produced visual art and celebrated the artists who have shaped it. Best of SouthCoast brought together works by 75 artists, spanning a wide range of media and forms and representing centuries of artistic production. The exhibition highlighted the many conditions that have made the region a fertile environment for artists—most notably, the role of patronage. An essential component of a vibrant art ecosystem, The Homecoming is the first in a new series of exhibitions focused on the interests and collecting practices of local art patrons. This inaugural presentation offers an intentionally eclectic selection, assembled without a predetermined theme. Instead, it serves as a survey of the curiosities and preferences of eight generous local lenders. Future exhibitions in the series will explore themes including Modern and Contemporary Photography, Edo-period Japanese art, and maritime subjects. Drawn exclusively from private collections on the South Coast, The Homecoming features exceptional works that have largely remained out of public view. Bringing together pieces by artists such as Käthe Kollwitz and Mary Cassatt, the exhibition highlights works that are both internationally recognized and […]

    $7 – $10

  • Poetry Night

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Poets, spoken word artists, and poetry enthusiasts are invited to perform original works and share poems that inspire them. Connect to the local poetry community and enjoy the rhythms and beauty of spoken word every last Wednesday of the month.

    Free

  • Figure Drawing Open Studio

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Drawing from a live model has been an important part of many formal artistic practices since the Renaissance. Our open figure drawing studio is intended to provide artists of all levels a relaxed environment and a dedicated space where they are able to continue the tradition of working from a live nude model. Sessions are three hours long, and will start with a series of short gestures and ranging from 5-10 minutes before moving into longer 30 minute poses. Each class typically concludes with an hour long pose. There will be no formal instruction during the class; artists are encouraged to work from the model independently, in any medium they wish to bring.

    $20

  • Sketchbook Club

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Every Other Friday | 6:00–8:00 PM Upcoming: June 13 Tickets: $10 Whether you use your sketchbook to creatively brainstorm a work project, capture daily observations, imagine a fantasy world, or just mindfully doodle, it can be a unique record of your day or your life. Join other sketchers at our informal gathering, led by local artist and illustrator Isiah Botelho. Each session will kick off with a prompt to inspire discussion and drawing, and participants will be able to share their work comfortably. Bring your sketchbook and preferred materials; we will have some basic supplies available. No pressure, no judgment, no guilt -- just community.

    $10
  • KidZone

    KidZone

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Join us every Sunday in the Art Museum for family-friendly activities for kids ages 4-12 and their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends. Learn about our exhibitions and make art, get creative, and have fun! Drop in anytime. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

    $5
  • Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel

    Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel is a four-week ceramics class focused entirely on hand building techniques. This class offers a slower, more organic and expressive way of working with clay and is designed as a perfect complement to wheel throwing. Participants will create functional pieces such as mugs and plates while exploring molds, texture, surface design, and sculptural forms that cannot be made on the wheel. The process encourages experimentation, detail, and personal expression. This class is beginner friendly and also ideal for returning ceramic students who want to expand their skill set. All materials are included, and no prior ceramics experience is required.

    $210.00 – $235.00

  • Mud Masters: Middle School Clay Workshop

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    This four-week clay workshop gives middle school artists a chance to dive into the full experience of working with clay, something many students do not get access to until high school. With a mix of hand building and real time on the pottery wheel, this class offers the perfect blend of creativity, challenge and hands-on learning. Each week, students will explore new techniques through guided demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice. They will throw basic forms on the wheel, sculpt by hand, and learn how to attach handles and decorative elements to bring their ideas to life. Because the class is kept intentionally small, every student receives individualized instruction, especially important for wheel work where one-on-one support makes all the difference. This is an ideal class for curious, creative kids who love making things and want to build real artistic skills. It encourages problem solving, confidence and self expression while giving students a tangible sense of accomplishment. All clay, tools and materials are provided, and each student will bring home finished ceramic pieces at the end of the program. Classes meet 1 day a week for 4 weeks. (March 4, 11, 18, & 25) All necessary materials are provided for […]

    $210.00 – $235.00

  • Figure Drawing Open Studio

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Drawing from a live model has been an important part of many formal artistic practices since the Renaissance. Our open figure drawing studio is intended to provide artists of all levels a relaxed environment and a dedicated space where they are able to continue the tradition of working from a live nude model. Sessions are three hours long, and will start with a series of short gestures and ranging from 5-10 minutes before moving into longer 30 minute poses. Each class typically concludes with an hour long pose. There will be no formal instruction during the class; artists are encouraged to work from the model independently, in any medium they wish to bring.

    $20

  • Sketchbook Club

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Every Other Friday | 6:00–8:00 PM Upcoming: June 13 Tickets: $10 Whether you use your sketchbook to creatively brainstorm a work project, capture daily observations, imagine a fantasy world, or just mindfully doodle, it can be a unique record of your day or your life. Join other sketchers at our informal gathering, led by local artist and illustrator Isiah Botelho. Each session will kick off with a prompt to inspire discussion and drawing, and participants will be able to share their work comfortably. Bring your sketchbook and preferred materials; we will have some basic supplies available. No pressure, no judgment, no guilt -- just community.

    $10

  • MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Free Concert For All Folk, soul, pop, electronica, rock, hip-hop, and jazz, are just some of the genres you might hear a MUSIC AT THE MUSUEM event. Hear local musicians play a two-hour set. Upcoming: Last Day on Earth Last Day on Earth had been playing for while before we settled on a name. One day it occurred to Sy that if it were his last day on earth, music is what he'd be doing. Devin concurred. Each member brings a unique musical aesthetic to the band and over the years we’ve grown comfortable jumping genres and mashing up influences.

    Free
  • KidZone

    KidZone

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Join us every Sunday in the Art Museum for family-friendly activities for kids ages 4-12 and their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends. Learn about our exhibitions and make art, get creative, and have fun! Drop in anytime. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

    $5
  • Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel

    Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel

    New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA, United States

    Hand Building with Clay: Beyond the Wheel is a four-week ceramics class focused entirely on hand building techniques. This class offers a slower, more organic and expressive way of working with clay and is designed as a perfect complement to wheel throwing. Participants will create functional pieces such as mugs and plates while exploring molds, texture, surface design, and sculptural forms that cannot be made on the wheel. The process encourages experimentation, detail, and personal expression. This class is beginner friendly and also ideal for returning ceramic students who want to expand their skill set. All materials are included, and no prior ceramics experience is required.

    $210.00 – $235.00

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Photo Credit: Josh Souza