Art in New Bedford
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It’s no surprise that New Bedford has been ranked as one of the most artistic cities in the United States for several years. Throughout the city, there are many opportunities to see and experience art, whether a mural, an outdoor sculpture, a piece in a museum, or one of the many local art galleries or studios.
Finding Art in New Bedford:
The Seaport Art Walk
The Seaport Art Walk presented by New Bedford Creative, was founded in 2013 by artist Jessical Bregoli. It is the city’s first large format outdoor public art installation. Visitors can view a collection of sculptures and murals in a self-guided tour along New Bedford’s waterfront, City Pier 3, and the Seaport Cultural District. The Seaport Art Walk kicks off on the second Thursday of July during AHA! Night with a free guided walking tour with some of the artists. Click to learn more about the Seaport Art Walk.
DATMA
Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) produces public art created by world-renowned artists. The artwork ranges from semi-permanent to temporary sculpture and murals located in downtown New Bedord. Visit their website to learn about DATMA’s educational outreach and programmatic events that are always 100% free to all participants.
The New Bedford Art Museum
The New Bedford Art Museum offers engaging exhibitions, featuring both local artists and artists from around the world. The museum, a former bank building, creates a unique setting with continually changing exhibitions that vary in subject matter and artistic medium. The New Bedford Art Museum also offers educational opportunities, community events, and hands-on experiences, many of which are free. The artMobile travels across the city throughout the summer to bring free art activities to the community. Click for more information about the New Bedford Art Museum.
Come see the first major artwork to be permanently installed in the museum, Dale Chihuly’s Luminous Silver Chandelier.
Art Galleries
The Kilburn Mill at Clarks Cove hosts dozens of galleries and studios, including Judith Klein Art Gallery, Colo Colo Gallery, and the New Bedford Arts and Culture Emporium. Here you’ll find a community of New Bedford artists and educators offering original art, as well as free and affordable classes and workshops. Hatch Street Studios serves as a workspace for more than 60 artists who specialize in a variety of media. Check out their Open Studio days, where they open up to the public for live music, art demonstrations, and community connections. Downtown New Bedford is home to a number of boutiques that feature local art for sale, as well as several galleries of original art such as TL6 Gallery, Co-Creative Center, Gallery X, Interwoven, Paradise McFee Studio, and Alison Wells Fine Art Studio and Gallery. Stroll along the Seaport Cultural District and you’re sure to find art at every turn. Want to peruse artwork online? Click to view New Bedford Creative’s creative directory.
Looking for more free public art? Check out Public Art New Bedford on the Bloomberg Connects App. Follow Explore New Bedford and New Bedford Creative on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates about New Bedford Art!
