New Bedford Seaport Cultural District debuts FREE events for statewide ArtWeek

The New Bedford Seaport Cultural District is proud to be an ArtWeek partner and collaborator, promoting the Creative Commonwealth and our Creative City. The festival aims to provide participants with new ways to get creative and make art and culture more accessible to everyone. This season, more than 70 percent of all ArtWeek events are free, including all of New Bedford’s events.

Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek announced its largest season lineup ever. The award-winning creative festival will offer more than 500 events in 155 neighborhoods across all six regions of the state from April 27 – May 6 — more than double the size of the 2017 festival.

“When we joined forces with Highland Street Foundation in 2013, I had no idea that there would be such enthusiastic support and demand for redefining cultural experiences and allowing people to take creativity into their own hands,” said Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr., President & CEO of the Boch Center.

“We invite everyone to participate in the fun activities for ArtWeek in New Bedford,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “ArtWeek is a great opportunity to see the artistic and cultural aspects of our city that helped to garner our designation as Most Creative Community in the Commonwealth by the Mass Cultural Council.”

The 2018 festival offers something for everyone, including a number of family friendly events in New Bedford’s Seaport Cultural District. At the MakerSpace at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park participants can learn about printing in the 19th century and walk away with their own sign, view a never-before-seen digital facsimile of the longest painting in America – the 1,275-foot-long Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World at New Bedford Whaling Museum, celebrate amazing art by teens while dancing to a live DJ and shopping a trunk show at New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks!, attend a block party street festival of Portuguese art and culture presented by The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, paint with potatoes at New Bedford Farmer’s Market, watch a spellbinding magic show by teen magician Austin Jandrucko and then learn the basics of magic at the Whaling National Historical Park, attend the final screening and discussion of the New Bedford LGBTQ Winter Film Series, and get creative with two cool art projects for kids and families at NBAM/Artworks! entitled Re-thinking Recycling and Chalk the Walk.

Visit artweekMA.org to view the full calendar of statewide and New Bedford events.

In addition to the free and interactive events, two New Bedford organizations are participating in ArtWeek’s Light Up the Night challenge. The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s cupola on top of its building will radiate with colorful lights, and to celebrate SUPERFLAT NB’s community launch, they will paint and radiate solar lights along the fence on Acushnet Ave across from Custom House Square.

ArtWeek is an annual 10-day innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, offering new ways to experience art and culture. ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and recently expanded its footprint across the Commonwealth. This year, Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism have joined ArtWeek as Lead Champions in this unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the state’s creative economy. ArtWeek has also secured a network of more than 70 statewide, regional and local collaborators and over a dozen media partners to help promote the upcoming festival.

For more information statewide, visit artweekMA.org and citywide destinationNB.org; or, contact Margo Saulnier at artsnewbedford@gmail.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 27

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: New Bedford Whaling Museum
Location: 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford
Region: South of Boston
April 27 – May 6

The Museum has a cupola on the top of our building. For Light Up the Night, we will illuminate it with colorful lights. It does not normally illuminate.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Print It!
Saturday, April 28, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford

The MakerSpace at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is hosting a special ArtWeek printmaking craft! Come and enjoy a child-friendly printmaking activity for all ages with something the kids can take home. Learn about old signs and texts from New Bedford shops of years gone by, and learn how printed materials were made back in the 19th century. The MakerSpace is located on the second floor and there is free Parking on weekends in New Bedford!

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

New Bedford LGBTQ Winter Film Series
Sunday, April 29, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford

Due to community support and rallying, nine groups involved in the community came together to host, plan, and outreach about the New Bedford LGBTQ Winter Film Series! Having started in January, we will be concluding in April during ArtWeek! Come watch “How to Survive a Plague”, a harrowing documentary about the activism and epidemic around HIV and AIDs. Afterwards, we will talk about the film, and with local community partners about their work locally to address HIV/AIDs and the art behind the Aids Quilt. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is the host venue for the series in their theater.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Artist Sneak Preview of A Spectacle in Motion
Wednesday, May 2, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is holding a sneak preview of its upcoming exhibit A Spectacle in Motion, which will premiere a never-before-seen digital facsimile of the longest painting in America – the 1,275-foot-long Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World. The advanced screening for artists will be used to inspire attendees as part of a call for artistic interpretations of all mediums to be performed/exhibited alongside the exhibition throughout the summer of 2018.

THURSDAY, MAY 3

Art at the Market: Painting with Potatoes
Thursday, May 3, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The New Bedford Farmers Market, 888 Purchase Street, New Bedford

Dyer Maker Studio will be at the New Bedford Farmers Market instructing customers and participants how to use food as color. We will “paint” with potatoes colored with natural food pigments to create an edible landscape made from locally grown produce. It is safe, chemical free, edible and completely natural. Let’s play with our food then eat it! This event is designed to merge the New Bedford creative arts community with the farmers market. Who knew art can be so delicious!?

ArtDance!
Thursday, May 3, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!, 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford

Developed special for ArtWeek, we invite the public to join us for this interactive closing reception of our Teen Artist Internship Program (TAIP) exhibit with live music from local artist and DJ Andy Anello. Also enjoy a special trunk show with local student artisans from UMass Dartmouth College of Visual & Performing Arts. Meet these young artists, learn about their creative process, and find out what they learned about their creative side!

FRIDAY, MAY 4

SUPERFLAT NB Community Launch Party
Friday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Co-Creative Center, 139 Union Street, New Bedford

SUPERFLAT NB is a new culture-based, artist-led, and neighborhood-driven community revitalization mural art project. Superflat seeks to both beautify New Bedford neighborhoods while eliminating barriers — or flattening — access to the arts, no matter who you are. It launches with a super fun event featuring art activities, music, an art auction and live outdoor painting.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: SUPERFLAT NB

Location: Acushnet Avenue fence between Custom House Square and Wing’s Court
Region: South of Boston

SUPERFLAT NB debuts during ArtWeek by painting the plywood fence along Acushnet Avenue outside Wing’s Court and across from Custom House Square with local artists. Keeping sustainability and safety in mind, solar powered lights will also adorn the fence on this typically dark block. New Bedford was called the City of Light in the whaling heydays, and SUPERFLAT NB aims to put a spotlight on the amazingly talented working artists in the city.

SATURDAY, MAY 5

Art of Illusion
Saturday, May 5, Noon to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, Noon to 4:30 p.m.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford

Special for ArtWeek, teen magician Austin Jandrucko will be offering the Art of Illusion: A Magicial Experience. Austin will begin with his spellbinding magic show and then teach budding apprentices the basics of stage performance, improv, and the art of illusion. The magic show will take place each day from 12:00-1:00 pm, and the workshop will follow from 2:00-4:30 pm.

Chalk the Walk!
Saturday, May 5, Noon to 2:00 p.m.
New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!, 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford

New Bedford has numerous public art pieces, but what if kids could come and create something easy, accessible, and fun? Help us decorate the sidewalk along the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! building! We will provide the chalk, the fun, and become part of a temporary arts experiment!

Viva Portugal!
Saturday, May 5, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford

Now in its third year, “Viva Portugal” is a free celebration of Portuguese art and culture in the Southcoast. To create this “festa” or street party, ‘The Z’ harnessed the power of 12 local Portuguese-American organizations to laud the cultural heritage that defines the region. Four downtown New Bedford blocks are filled with people from all walks of life enjoying the tastes, sights and sounds of Portuguese culture, including lectures on the contributions of Portuguese-Americans, readings, live music, cooking demos, folkloric dance and more. Don’t miss the Lusiads Read-a-thon!

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Re-Thinking Recycling
Sunday, May 6, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!, 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford

Did you know there is an estimated 93 to 236 thousand metric tons of plastic in the ocean? How can we limit this and think about saving our oceans in the great Bay State? People of all ages are invited to talk about the ocean, make crafts, and rethink the use of plastic.

Art of Illusion
Saturday, May 5, Noon to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, Noon to 4:30 p.m.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford

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MORE ABOUT NEW BEDFORD SEAPORT CULTURAL DISTRICT:
Since 2014, New Bedford Seaport Cultural District has aimed to advance collaboration to be inclusive of all individuals in the arts, cultural sector, residences, and businesses. The intention is to impact the quality of life and economic activity of those living and visiting our city, whether that as a creator, participant, or audience member. The district currently contains 49 cultural attractions and 29 creative economy businesses.

On March 1, 2018, the MCC selected New Bedford as one of only six communities in the state to pilot a Cultural Compact, to develop a framework to spark creative partnerships between local government and cultural leaders within the community. The Cultural Compact is a collaboration of the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District, the New Bedford Cultural Council, the Mayor’s Office, and Mass Cultural Council. To learn more about the SCD, visit www.destinationnewbedford.org/seaport-cultural-district.

In support of the Commonwealth’s most powerful economic development assets – a thriving creative sector – the Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Districts Initiative was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010, and launched in April 2011. These cultural districts help local arts, humanities, and science organizations improve the quality and range of their public programs so that more local families can benefit from them. They enhance the experience for visitors and thus attract more tourist dollars and tax revenue. And they attract artists, cultural organizations, and entrepreneurs of all kinds – enhancing property values and making communities more attractive. The Cultural District Initiative encourages Massachusetts’ communities to strengthen their sense of place, while stimulating economic activity, improving the experiences of visitors to our communities, and creating a higher quality of life.

MORE ABOUT ARTWEEK:
About ArtWeek – Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek has become an annual award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists or the creative process. ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and has since expanded to serve communities across Massachusetts. Statewide partners include: Mass Cultural Council, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism as well as Mass Center for the Book, MassAccess, MASSCreative, MassHumanities, MassPoetry, Music Drives Us Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, New England Museum Association, Young Audiences of Massachusetts and VSA Massachusetts. To learn more about our regional and local collaborators as well as about the festival and its growth, visit www.artweekma.org.

About Highland Street Foundation
Since its establishment in 1989, Highland Street Foundation has donated more than $180 million to many worthy non-profit organizations. It is committed to addressing the needs and concerns of children and families primarily in Massachusetts and California specifically in the areas of education, housing, mentoring, health care, environment and the arts. To learn more about Highland Street Foundation, please visit www.highlandstreet.org.

About the Boch Center
The Boch Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts institutions and a guardian of the historic Wang and Shubert Theatres. As New England’s largest cultural venue, the Boch Center is home to theater, classical and popular music, dance, comedy, opera, Broadway musicals, family entertainment, and more. Located in Boston’s historic Theater District, the Boch Center also offers a diverse mix of educational and community outreach initiatives, including the City Spotlights Leadership Program and ArtWeek; collaborates with artists and local nonprofit arts organizations; preserves historic venues; and acts as a champion for Greater Boston’s arts and cultural community. Learn more at bochcenter.org.