Art Activities
It’s no surprise that New Bedford has been ranked as one of the most artistic cities in the United States. 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 artists’ galleries or studios. Below is a list of see-worthy places for art in New Bedford.
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The Seaport Art Walk
The Seaport Art Walk, presented by New Bedford Creative, has provided free public art in New Bedford for over ten years. Walk along the waterfront, Pier 3, and the Seaport Cultural District to view a collection of outdoor sculptures and murals. The Seaport Art Walk kicks off every July during AHA! Night and concludes in October.
Self-Guided Public Art Tour
Access the public art map developed by New Bedford Creative and explore the city’s murals, sculptures, and monuments. Art is everywhere in New Bedford and this map will help chart your course through the city. While you’re downtown, check out the free walls in Wing’s Court. These walls are open to any artist to paint, so the designs are always changing.
DATMA
The Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) presents impactful contemporary art that fuses design, art, and technology. Their annual art installations feature world-renowned artists who display their outdoor art through the summer and early fall. These artists engage with the community to create work that is meaningful to the city’s context and provide learning experiences that foster innovative creative collaboration. Visit the DATMA website to learn more and plan your visit to their installations.
The New Bedford Art Museum
Located in a former bank building, the New Bedford Art Museum is situated in the heart of downtown. The museum features a mix of exhibitions from local artists, the city’s art collection on loan from the New Bedford Free Public Library, and an eclectic array of contemporary art that includes olfactory art, sound art, botanical art, and more. Head to the museum for an exhibit or check their calendar for an enchanted evening event.
Galleries and Studios
The Kilburn Mill at Clarks Cove is home to dozens of galleries and studios, including the Judith Klein Art 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 when they open up to the public for live music, art demonstrations, and community connections.
Downtown New Bedford is home to several 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.
Alison Wells Fine Art Studio
Alison Wells is a Trinidadian artist whose paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums worldwide and are part of private, public, and corporate collections.
TL6 The Gallery
For a collection of handmade, unique, and custom designs, head over to TL6. This artist collective has works from local and regional artists for sale. Find everything from jewelry to pottery, handmade t-shirts, fine art, photography, and more.
Gallery X
Founded in the 1990s by graduates of the former Swain School of Design, Gallery X is a non-profit community art gallery. This co-op-style gallery and performance venue is one of the longest contemporary cooperative art galleries in the city.
Interwoven
If you’re looking for a cozy and welcoming space to enjoy a pop-up gallery or to engage in conversation with an artist, head into Interwoven located below the Portuguese Consulate and just across the street from City Hall downtown. Interwoven was founded by New Bedford artist, Rhonda Fazio, who hosts cooking and food preservation classes and fiber arts workshops that use natural fabrics and dyes. Interwoven is where different artistic mediums meet and where the many stories of human beings intermingle as one.
AHA!
The second Thursday of every month, the city celebrates AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) night. During AHA! nights, galleries, museums, and shops open their doors with free programming, education, and entertainment. Each month highlights a different theme, check out the lineup of free events happening during the next AHA! night.
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