New Bedford is ready for ArtWeek 2019

The City of New Bedford is embracing ArtWeek 2019 with a host of events and activities that spotlight the city’s arts and culture community in a unique manner.

From Friday, April 26 through Sunday, May 5, and from one end of the city to the other, arts patrons are invited to discover creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists or the artistic process in New Bedford.

ArtWeek is a statewide annual festival, which encourages each community to shine a spotlight on its creativity. Since 2013, ArtWeek has been produced by the Boch Center, a Boston-based nonprofit innovator and steward of iconic venues providing arts, entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences. ArtWeek is part of its strategy to strengthen its community role beyond historic downtown Boston theaters. Highland Street Foundation has also been an important presenting sponsor since 2013, and recently, Mass Cultural Council and Massachusetts Travel and Tourism (MOTT) have joined in as statewide Lead Champions.

New Bedford has taken part in ArtWeek activities since the concept went statewide, but 2019 represents a watershed year for its partnership with the festival. A diverse menu of one-of-a-kind experiences await both residents and visitors.

The range of ArtWeek happenings run the gamut of arts and culture in New Bedford. From film and poetry for children at Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) in the south end, to the street festival Viva Portugal! downtown outside the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, and, the mammoth Hatch Street Studios Arts Weekend in the north end.

In all, ArtWeek is a 10-day celebration of the city’s arts and culture.

“ArtWeek 2019 is the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to experience New Bedford’s vibrant arts and culture scene, and the numerous people and organizations who contribute to our creative city,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

“One of my goals as Creative Strategist for the City of New Bedford is to broadcast the amazing diversity of what we term #NBCreative to the broadest possible audience,” says Margo Saulnier. “ArtWeek is a terrific chance to showcase our arts community, come together as a creative city, and welcome guests from throughout the region to join us.”

New Bedford’s ArtWeek events calendar is being shared with all local and regional media outlets. Additionally, you can find everything scheduled throughout the festival at destinationnewbedford.org/events or calendar.artweekma.org. Enter “New Bedford” in the keyword search for the full listings. Most ArtWeek events are free to attend.

Throughout 2018, the City of New Bedford embarked on a mission to produce its first-ever Arts and Culture Plan. That plan was released in December 2018 and a Creative Consortium of arts and culture partners formed shortly after the New Year to begin enacting its goals.

The mission statement that guides them is as follows: In New Bedford, the creative community is an engaged and powerful partner, inspiring social, economic, and cultural growth. In this authentic seaport city, each and every person enjoys an opportunity to experience a diversity of cultures. Art is everywhere, encouraging fun, provoking thought and nurturing the soul.”

A complete listing of events follows:

Saturday, 4/27 – 1:00 p.m.

Beasties of New Bedford
New Bedford Art Museum
608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free, with admission: newbedfordart.org

In a one-of-a-kind experience, this workshop encourages participants to interpret & identify their own artistic portrayal of animals, blending it with choreographed dance & improvised movement. For adults & children ages 8+.

Saturday, 4/27 – 6:30 p.m.
Blurring Lines
UMass Dartmouth College of Visual & Performing Arts
Kilburn Mill, 127 West Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford 02447
Tickets: $10: tinyurl.com/umassdtix
UMass Dartmouth’s College of Visual & Performing Arts invites you to participate in a fashion photoshoot, hear a panel of stylists with industry insider knowledge, & check out the latest work from fashion design students.

Saturday, 4/27 – 4:30 p.m.
Old Time Fiddle Session & Community Gathering
Southcoast Lessons
Brick Pizza Napoletana, 213 Huttleston Ave, Fairhaven 02719
Tickets: Free: tinyurl.com/southcoastlessons
Old Time Fiddle Session & Community Gathering is a participatory event for fiddle players & singers of all ability levels & ages to share music around a long communal dining table. Come early for a free “slow jam” workshop to learn the opening tune that will be played at the session itself.

Sunday, 4/28 – 11:30 a.m.
Master Class with Director/Choreographer Wendy Hall
New Bedford Festival Theatre
Greater New Bedford YMCA, 20 S Sixth Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free: nbfestivaltheatre.com/
Learn classic musical theatre choreography in a fun, relaxed setting as award-winning choreographer Wendy Hall teaches a dance from one of New Bedford Festival Theatre’s past productions. Open to all levels of dancers age 14 & up.

Sunday, 4/28 – 6:00 p.m.
Whales Today Live
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Non-Members $20, Members $15: tinyurl.com/whalestodaylive
The New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts dancers from Tilted Collab Dance Company to interpret the new exhibition, Whales Today, through improvisational movements and set to music by local artists.

Monday, 4/29 – 7:30 p.m.
Your Theatre Rehearsal of “A Man For All Seasons”
Your Theatre
136 Rivet Street, New Bedford 02744
Tickets: Free: www.yourtheatre.org
Your Theatre opens its doors to view a live rehearsal of A Man For All Seasons. This tragic drama offers a brilliant portrait of Sir Thomas More in his last years as Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII.

Tuesday, 4/30 – 1:00 p.m.
Behind the Scenes of Fabric Design
Anthi Frangiadis Associates, Kravet Inc.
The Drawing Room, 36 North Water Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free with registration: anthifrangiadis.com/products
Join us for tea & pastries while Amy Grady from Kravet Inc. shares about the industry of fabric design. Explore new fabric collections & learn what inspires designers when producing today’s hottest fabrics.

Wednesday, 5/1 – 6:00 p.m.
Kids Beginner Dance Class – Self-Expression
Miss New Bedford Scholarship Program
Supreme Perfection Studio, 144 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven 02719
Tickets: Free with registration: email info@missnewbedford.org
Led by Juliette Simmons, Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen, the class is part of her larger initiative to promote the power of the arts for self-expression, healing, & personal growth. Children will learn basic movement patterns & be introduced to different styles of traditional dance.

Thursday, 5/2 – 5:00 p.m.
Why Haven’t You Started Your Art Collection Yet?
NBAM/Artworks!, Co-Creative Center, S&G Project Gallery
S&G Project Gallery, 88 Hatch Street, Rm 306a, New Bedford 02745
Tickets: Free with registration: newbedfordart.org/pbp/
Learn how to trust your taste, attend art openings, & find art you love. A panel of collectors & sellers will demystify art viewing & art collecting, with plenty of time for your questions.

Friday, 5/3 – 4:00 p.m.
Making Selections for the Artful Home
Anthi Frangiadis Associates, Cape Cod Life Publications
The Drawing Room, 36 North Water Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free with registration: anthifrangiadis.com/products
The South Coast is fortunate to be the home of many artists & galleries that offer a wide variety of styles to purchase or commission. Join Julie Wagner of Cape Cod Life Publications & Anthi Frangiadis of The Drawing Room as they talk about what factors to consider when buying art for your space.

Friday, 5/3 – 6:00 p.m.
International Kids: Film & Poetry Night
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Victory Park Warming House, 224 Brock Avenue, New Bedford 02744
Tickets: Free with registration: email bernadette@younb.org
Since 2004, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) has enriched the lives of local children, and this free International Kids Film & Poetry Night begins with poetry readings by local youth, followed by a film directed & created by young people.

Saturday, 5/4 – 11:00 a.m. & Sunday, 5/5 – 11:00 a.m.
The Hatch Arts Weekend
Hatch Street Studios
88 Hatch Street, New Bedford 02745
Tickets: Free: www.hatchstreetstudios.com
Hatch Street Studios is home to 60+ professional visual & performing artists, and The Hatch Arts Weekend welcomes the community to see them: visual artists with works in progress & behind the scene demos, performing artists with aerial arts, music, juggling, story-telling, puppets, face painting, interactive activities & more!

Saturday, 5/4 – 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Viva Portugal!
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
684 Purchase Street, New Bedford 02532
Tickets: Free: zeiterion.org
Now in its fourth year, “Viva Portugal” is a street party of four downtown blocks filled with the tastes, sights & sounds of Portuguese culture, including live music, cooking demos, folkloric dance & more. Performers include Discovery Language Academy Folkloric Dance Performance Group, Portuguese Kids Comedy Troupe, Band Faith, and St. Cecilia Marching Band.

Saturday, 5/4 – 05:30 p.m.
Audubon’s Visit to New Bedford
NBAM/Artworks!, Wamsutta Club
Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: $50: newbedfordart.org/rsvp
A Special Evening in support of New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! Enjoy a magnificent meal & cash bar at the iconic Wamsutta Club at the James Arnold Mansion, followed by an insightful talk by Jonathan Howland & Roger Mandle, highlighting the significance of John James Audubon’s time spent in New Bedford.

Sunday, 5/5 – 10:00 a.m.
Sing On Sunday: ArtWeek MA
Southcoast Lessons
New Bedford Harbor Hotel, 222 Union Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free with registration: sundaysing.eventbrite.com
Join Jeff Angeley from Southcoast Lessons for a free singing session of common traditional songs, call & response techniques, & projected lyrics. Solo balladeers are encouraged to share their favorite songs. Brunch available to purchase from the New Bedford Harbor Hotel.

Sunday, 5/5 – 2:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk: Teen Artist Internship Program
New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks!
608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford 02740
Tickets: Free: newbedfordart.org
Come enjoy this reception and meet up-and-coming talent of New Bedford, the Teen Artist Internship Program (TAIP), which celebrates its 15th anniversary!