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ARTIST GROUPS & STUDIOS
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DECORATIVE ARTS
Decorative Arts is both ornamental and functional. We work with wood, glass, metal, ceramics, textiles, and experiment with a variety of techniques including decorative painting, stained glass art, upholstery, and more. We are beginner to expert-level artists who network, learn, teach, take classes, socialize and create together, exploring each member’s individual areas of interest and expertise.
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METALS
The Metals Studio works with a range of metals from gold to brass in a variety of metalworking techniques. Artists craft fine jewelry and decorative pieces in a well-equipped studio that includes benches, tools, soldering booths, flex shafts, kilns, polishing equipment and more. Classes in jewelry making, enameling, and metal clay are offered year-round. Workshops and guided open studios with expert instructors are also offered. Group members have scheduled access to the studio when classes and workshops are not in session and the room is not being used by other groups. Our studio manager maintains the equipment and supplies and provides technical support to users.
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PAINTING
Painters were among the founding members of LexArt in 1935 and continue actively today. Group members range from professional and semi-professional artists to beginners all of whom enjoy working and learning together. Artists work in all media including oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel. The Plummer Studio provides a well-equipped space for hosting a variety of classes taught by professional and nationally known instructors. Classes are offered in all media, for beginners through advanced painters. Free demonstrations by visiting professional artists are scheduled throughout the year and are open to the public. Group members have access to the studio when classes and workshops are not in session and the room is not being used by other groups.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The Photography welcomes all photographers. Members practice many types of photography—landscape, close-up, travel, local interest, abstract, nature, and fine art. While some of us explore the latest digital techniques, others carry forward the rich tradition of film. Meetings include critiques of members' new work and discussions on photographic techniques, composition, selling and presenting one’s work, and other subjects of interest.
NEEDLE ARTS
Hand crafters of all skill levels are welcome to join the Needle Arts Group. Everyone is welcome who creates something with any kind of a needle. Member interests are wide ranging, including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, felting, crocheting, mixed-media, rug hooking and braiding. Members meet regularly to work on projects and share ideas, challenges, techniques and inspiration. The group occasionally goes on field trips to local museums and special exhibits or shopping expeditions for crafting supplies. Donations of yarn, fabric, and other needle art items are accepted throughout the year to prepare for the popular open-to-the-public fiber swap & giveaway proudly hosted by the group each spring.
POLYMER CLAY & BEADING
The Polymer Clay & Beading Group artists are focused on innovative and high-quality advanced polymer techniques and sophisticated beadwork. The group’s mission is to promote polymer and beadwork to the public and support the artistic growth of members in a supportive environment of like-minded artists via the exchange of knowledge and expertise. At meetings, members analyze and critique each others’ work, demonstrate new products and materials, and brainstorm solutions. While many choose to work from home, we also enjoy access to benches, tools, and ovens in the shared Metalworking/Polymer shop at LexArt, where we meet monthly.
Since our founding in 1935, LexArt members have self-organized into groups that share a passion for a given artistic or craft medium. For many individuals, the joy of working and learning together with others has been the most cherished part of the LexArt experience. For LexArt as an organization, fostering an active ecosystem of groups operating under LexArt’s auspices is one of the primary means by which we accomplish our mission: “To spark joy, enrich lives, and build community through the practice, teaching, and sharing of art and craft.”
Throughout our history, such groups have come and gone as interests have waxed and waned. Our current list of groups is shown below. If you’re interested in forming a new group, please contact us.
CERAMICS DECORATIVE ARTS METALS NEEDLE ARTS PAINTING
POLYMER CLAY & BEADING PHOTOGRAPHY WEAVING & FIBER ARTS WOODWORKING
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WEAVING & FIBER ARTS
The Weaving and Fiber Arts Group is a community of fiber artists at all levels of skill and knowledge. Through classes, workshops, and informal discussions our mission is to share our expertise and ideas in weaving, spinning, dyeing, basket weaving and related arts with the broader community as well as with each other. Equipped with a wide assortment of weaving looms and fiber as well as an extensive library, the group studio is a place where we work together as educators, designers and artisans. Our studio manager maintains the equipment and supplies and provides technical support to users. Learn more ...
WOODWORKING
The Wood Studio foster the art and craft of woodworking to build a community of people who love wood and woodworking. Through mentoring and shared projects, members challenge each other to meet ever-higher standards. Members come together in LexArt's well-equipped shop to encourage and learn from each other, and design and build woodwork that is functional, beautiful, and expressive. Our studio manager maintains the equipment and supplies and provides technical support to users. Group members have scheduled access to the studio when classes and workshops are not in session and the room is not being used by other groups.
CERAMICS
The fully-equipped ceramics studio includes 10 wheels, six kilns—three electric kilns, a test kiln, an outdoor raku kiln, and a 28 cu ft gas kiln—a spray booth, work tables, and storage. Members fire in reduction and oxidation up to cone 10. Our studio manager maintains the equipment and supplies and provides technical support to users. Group members have scheduled access to the studio when classes and workshops are not in session and the room is not being used by other groups. The group hosts the biennial State of Clay show, a respected juried exhibition of state-wide ceramic artists, and organizes the annual Bowls for Hunger sale, with all proceeds donated to the Lexington Interfaith Food Pantry.
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I want to display my pieces at gallery shows but am not interested in joining studios. What should I choose?Select from one of the paid membership levels. You need not use our studios to be eligible to submit your work for shows. However, if you'd like to offer your work for sale at our Gallery Gift Shop, Holiday Marketplace, or other sales events, you must register with one of our studio groups.
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Does membership include studio use privileges?No. Studio usage and selling privileges require separate registration. You may register for studio usage or enroll in classes without being a LexArt member. We are open to the public! That said, we'd love for you to be a member: members sustain our facility and ensure that we'll be around for generations to come. The separate fees we charge for studio use and classes help us meet the ongoing operating expenses for those activities.
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I'd like to organize a group to explore a new artistic topic or medium? Is that possible?Yes! Throughout LexArt's history, various groups have come and gone, though some have been with us continuously since 1935. If you'd like to form a new group, please contact us via email or by telephone at 781-862-9696.
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How do I join a Group?When you register for a Studio Use you are automatically affiliated with the group that operates in that studio.
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May I join more than one Group?Yes. You may participate in whichever groups you wish. However, please note that use of our facilities does require you to register for Studio Use. To find out more about joining multiple groups, please contact us by email or call telephone 781-862-9696.