Then & Now is a juried exhibit that focuses on the collaboration of two artists that are separated by a generation. The idea is to represent how a generational age gap has influenced both artists’ works. This exhibit will showcase the inspiration in works by artists that are related, teacher and student, mentor and mentee, friends, or any other type of connection. The art should reflect why both artists can work together, or their work has inspired one another and is shown in each other’s pieces. The artwork to be displayed in this show will have a meaningful connection between the two artists’ pieces. One of the ways is by collaborating on a single piece or to show how both artists have inspired each other in their works. Juror: Christopher Alessandrini is a writer and art critic from Lexington, Massachusetts. Currently based in New York, he works as managing editor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's online magazine, Perspectives. He is a regular contributor to Frieze magazine, and his writing on art has appeared in The New York Review of Books, The Brooklyn Rail, CURA., Interview, and elsewhere. His short story"Maverick Road" was published in Five Stories for Philip Guston (2024) Accepted Artists Opening Reception Photos taken by Jason Ross

Art of Life, Art for Life a special exhibit honoring LexArt member and life-long Lexingtonian Wilda Ward on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Over 40 artists join Wilda exhibiting works celebrating the enduring relationship between art and life, drawing inspiration from themes that embody Wilda’s passionate engagement with creativity and community. Themes include: • The creation of art as a means to remain youthful, vibrant, and actively engaged with the world and those around us. • The sharing of art as a communal experience, fostering connection and understanding among individuals and groups. • Integrating art and craft into daily living as a source of enrichment and inspiration. Opening Reception/ Wilda's Birthday Celebratiion by Jason Ross

The Lexington Arts and Crafts society will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold throughout the month of August 2026 at your designated Stop & Shop location(s): Lexington Stop & Shop 36 Bedford Street, Lexington MA

Congratulations Phil! Need a little inspiration - read Phil's latest two articles found on Fine Woodworking's website: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2026/06/25/7-habits-of-highly-effective-woodworkers-2 https://www.finewoodworking.com/2026/06/02/the-key-to-getting-ahead-is-getting-started

The Chinese Painting Guild is pleased to present Spirit of the East, an exhibition of member works at the Betty Meyers Gallery, located within the Untied Parish of Auburndale. Running from June 6 through July 7, the show primarily features artists who have studied under the celebrated Chinese brush painter and teacher, Qingxiong Ma. Please join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, June 6 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm to celebrate these beautiful works. 64 Hancock St, Auburndale, MA 02466 Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm https://www.chinesepaintingguild.com/events.html

Featuring artwork from the Communications, Art and Design Department at Middlesex Community College, this exhibition showcases the faculty’s ongoing work as practicing professional artists. Representing a range of disciplines, the collection reflects the depth of technical mastery and creative vision sustained through their dedicated studio practices and continued contributions to the contemporary art field. Artwork: Angela Alés_ Garden Of Eve Exhibiting Artists: Tracey Erskine Courtney Wilson Sally Dion Tim Palin Erick Maldonado Daniel Lloyd-Miller Jen Bauer Angela Ales Yary Livan John Kondra Jeff Caplan Francois-Xavier De Costerd

At the prestigious Ward World Championship held this past April in Ocean City, Maryland, Dircks’ sculpture, “Fireworks,” earned a Second Best in World award. The sculpture features male and female goldfinches interacting on a coneflower plan. This triumph is a point of pride for the local arts community, particularly at LexArt, where Dircks has honed his craft in birdcarving classes with instructor Jane Layton for the past three years. He has also expanded his expertise through personal instruction from master carvers Floyd Scholz of Vermont and Josh Guge of Illinois. Dircks’ artistic philosophy goes beyond merely replicating a bird’s physical appearance; he strives to capture its unique essence, character, motion, and attitude, all while seamlessly integrating the subject into an authentic habitat. Achieving this level of realism requires mastering a staggering array of disciplines. His process blends woodcarving, metalwork, soldering, welding, pyrography (for fine feather detailing), embossing, epoxy sculpting, painting, and even furniture woodworking to create the bases for his birds. It is a diverse skillset that Dircks continuously refines. “Each of my birds is a learning experience and a journey into the unknown,” Dircks shared. “I come out the other side with more knowledge and understanding of the vast array of tools at my disposal. I enjoy challenging myself with each bird to try new techniques, poses and structural problem solving. It keeps my brain sharp and my creativity juiced”. Already an award-winning portrait artist, illustrator, and designer, Dircks discovered birdcarving in his early 60s and never looked back. The craft perfectly marries his lifelong fascination with birds—especially songbirds—with his extensive background in painting, sculpting, and woodworking. He credits his portraiture expertise for his ability to bring such vibrant, lifelike character to his avian subjects. His rapid ascent in the carving world has been notable. Within just a few years of starting, he was turning heads at regional and national competitions with his action-filled pieces. Today, his growing acclaim in this highly specialized art form has led to a steady stream of commission work. This busy schedule runs alongside the intensive time he dedicates to his competition pieces, each of which can demand a month or more of meticulous labor to complete. The Ward World Championship is widely recognized as the largest and most prestigious birdcarving competition on the globe. Celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, the April event draws elite carvers from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Visitors to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center can view roughly 1,200 wildfowl carvings representing over 150 species, a testament to the incredible global talent on display. Learn more about Dave and his birdcarvings at https://davedircks.com/

On display now at the Peabody Essex Museum - Thru June 7, 2026 https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/edmonia-lewis-said-in-stone Learn more about this brave young female.......

We’re excited to share again another open call for our upcoming 3-month shared studio residency, designed for emerging artists ages 18–29 who are looking for time, space, and support to grow their practice. The residency runs from May through August 2026 and offers participants access to Studio 211, biweekly meetings with an artist advisor, and the opportunity to take part in First Saturday Open Studios. The program will conclude with a final group exhibition featuring all resident artists. We’re looking for artists who are ready to build a cohesive body of work and deepen their creative process. Applicants should submit 3–5 works along with a short written concept outlining their ideas and goals. Key details:• Dates: May 1 st  – August 15th , 2026• Commitment: Minimum 6 hours/week in the studio• Fee: $150 for the full 3-month residency The application deadline is April 29th Here is the link to apply Thank you in advance, Yahira & Team Refuge

Crown: A Celebration of Black Hair  celebrates the beauty, legacy, and joy of Black hair. Crown will feature the works of three renowned photographers whose artistry highlights the depth and diversity of Black hair across generations, cultures, and styles. The Artists featured in this exhibit: • Robert Sipho Bellinger : An esteemed educator, historian, and photographer, Robert brings over 40 years of archival photographs that document the evolution and cultural significance of Black hair. His work offers a historical lens on the beauty and resilience of Black hair, showcasing intimate portraits that reflect the pride, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community over decades. • Jordan Naheesi : A Brooklyn-born, Los Angeles-based creative multihyphenate, Jordan has built a remarkable career as a photographer, videographer, designer, and curator. His photography journey began at Ohio University, where his passion for storytelling through visuals flourished. With nearly a decade of experience, Jordan has captured some of the most influential cultural figures, including Erykah Badu, Smokey Robinson, and Kyrie Irving, and has worked with global organizations like SiriusXM. His vibrant, contemporary work celebrates the individuality and artistry of Black hair in modern culture. • Najee Brown : The Artistic Director of the Multicultural Arts Center, Najee is a Boston-based photographer with 20 years of experience capturing life through his lens. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Najee’s work is deeply rooted in storytelling, blending authenticity and creativity to celebrate the beauty of Black culture. Through Crown, Najee explores the joy, love, and creativity expressed through Black hair, capturing its magic and its role in shaping the cultural fabric of the world. Photographer Najee Brown  shared his thoughts on the exhibition: “Black hair is a crown, a symbol of beauty, creativity, and resilience. For centuries, it has been a canvas for expression, a source of pride, and a target of misunderstanding. With Crown, we reclaim that narrative, focusing on the joy, love, and artistry that Black hair represents. This exhibit is a celebration of how Black people’s magic and culture continue to shape the world. It’s a love letter to our legacy and a testament to our power.” Crown is more than an exhibit—it is a celebration of identity, heritage, and creativity. Through photography, storytelling, and community engagement, we invite audiences to experience the magic and cultural significance of Black hair Artwork image by Najee Brown Opening Reception by Daniela Plesa

In 2007, the Lexington Farmers’ Market began welcoming local artisans to the weekly summer market. Our community of talented local artists brings a welcome energy to the LFM market and offers a variety of work, from jewelry and ceramics to fiber-arts and hand-crafted furniture. All items available at the LFM are locally crafted or created by the artisan, in keeping with the LFM’s mission as a producer-only farmers’ market. We invite you to stop by the market and view the work of these creative and talented individuals! Artisans are welcome to apply and join the market. Visit the Market Community page to learn how LFM is pleased to provide tent space for local artisans. Our  Artisans  page has details along with the list of artisans who may appear. How Artisans Apply: The Artisans Tent is accepting applications for the 2026 Season.  The LFM provides up to two artisan tents for each market day, with one artisan per tent. The Artisans’ Tent fee is $35/week. Commercial liability insurance for all market participants is required by the LFM’s insurance agency. This is becoming the standard practice at farmers’ markets across the country. There are one-day lower cost policies available from the following insurance companies: Thimble Act Insurance The 2026 Artisans’ Tent Application is available  here . If you have any questions, please email the LFM Artisan Coordinator on our website

Exploring the World of Fibers 2026 , launching our gallery schedule for 2026, this exhibit will explore the broad range of work being created by regional fiber artists and traditional and contemporary weavers. Building on the transition of the LexArt Weavers Guild into the Weaving and Fiber Arts studio, our efforts at broader public engagement and access, and marks our third biennial fiber exhibition. Please join us as we celebrate and showcase fiber arts from New England and throughout the region. The exhibit will be juried by Paula B. Richter , curator at large, Peabody Essex Museum.   The show will be displayed in our Molly Harding Nye Gallery, an outstanding museum-style exhibition space. Accepted Artwork Featured Artwork: Judith Daniels Reception By Daniela Plesa

30th Annual Regional High School Exhibit Exhibit hours: 11-5pm Tue-Sun Note: The gallery will be closed from Feb 23 - 27 for artwork exchange Reception: Feb 12 from 4pm-6:30pm -Artwork on view from Feb 7 to Feb 22 Burlington High School, Bedford High School, and Winchester High School Reception: Mar 6 from 3pm-6pm -Artwork on view from Feb 28 to Mar 15 Waltham High School, Lexington High School, and Concord-Carlisle High School Featuring the work of students from Bedford, Burlington, Concord-Carlisle, Lexington, Waltham, and Winchester high schools, this exhibit showcases the creativity and innovation of area students and high school art programs and helps raise funds for our high school scholarship program. To donate to the LexArt High School Scholarship Program, please click on the link: https://www.lexart.org/scholarship-awards Burlington High School: Bedford High School: Concord-Carlisle e High School: Gallery Reception for Group 1 by Daniela Plesa Gallery for Group 2

WELCOME Welcome to our newest members of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® family! The NARM Association now has 1,541 locations across North America . The latest NARM Quarterly is now available, where you can meet each of our newest members and find virtual programming that you may want to share with your members: https://viewer.joomag.com/narm-quarterly-spring-2026/0900445001772547470?short& REMINDER The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® does not sell any lists. If you receive an email stating there is a NARM contact list for sale, it is fraudulent. Please report it to the following organizations:  Federal Trade Commission - https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/assistant Federal Communications Commission -  https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115002206106-Internet-Form-Descriptions-of-Complaint-Issues Have a wonderful spring! Virginia Phillippi Director narmassociation.org