Locasso

08/17/2026

Looking for something creative to do this week in Western Massachusetts?

Here’s a quick look at arts events happening around the Pioneer Valley from August 17–23, including exhibitions, artist receptions, workshops, open studios, and local art events in Amherst, Holyoke, Ware, Conway, Deerfield, and beyond.

Featured this week:
• Sip and Paint at Workshop13 in Ware
• “Everyday Sublime” at Gallery A3 in Amherst
• Amy Dawn Kotel at Amherst Town Hall
• Night Markets at Armour Yard in Holyoke
• Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition in Ware
• Hannah Harvester Open Studio in Conway
• Old Deerfield Painting Group exhibition

Information and event graphics courtesy of the Valley Arts Newsletter.

Know about an arts event we should feature next week? Drop it in the comments.

07/14/2026

07/13/2026

A little piece of Holyoke’s history and creativity is on display at the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside.

This colorful volleyball sculpture was painted by local artist Sophie Theroux, Artist as part of the “Have a Ball in Holyoke” public art project. The project placed 20 fiberglass volleyballs throughout Holyoke, celebrating the city as the birthplace of volleyball while highlighting the work of local artists.

Sophie is a Western Massachusetts artist whose work is inspired by the landscapes and natural beauty of the Pioneer Valley. Be sure to visit her pages and explore more of her paintings, murals, sculptures and other creative work.

Website:
https://sophietheroux.weebly.com/

Sculptures and 3D artwork:
https://sophietheroux.weebly.com/sculptures3d.html

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SophieTherouxArtist/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sophietherouxartist/

Have you seen any of the other volleyball sculptures around Holyoke?

07/02/2026

Peace bell outside Mercy Hospital make sure to take a look next time you are nearby. Nice peace of public art.

Baystate Health

07/02/2026

Rang this bell outside Mercy Hospital pretty amazing sound. Located in a peace garden. Springfielda

06/05/2026

What happens to public art when a campus closes?

This sculpture sits on the Hampshire College campus in Amherst, a place known for creativity, experimentation, and doing things differently. With Hampshire College now set to close after the Fall 2026 semester, it raises a question that is easy to overlook: what happens to the artwork, landmarks, and cultural pieces that helped give the campus its identity?

Public art becomes part of a place. Students walk by it. Alumni remember it. Visitors photograph it. Over time, it becomes more than an object — it becomes part of the story.

I’d love to know: should pieces like this stay where they are, be moved somewhere public, transferred to another institution, or preserved in some other way?

Drop your thoughts below, and follow along as I continue documenting public art across Western Massachusetts before more of these local stories disappear.

Hampshire College Mead Art Museum Town of Amherst, MA

06/05/2026

What will happen to this sculpture on the Hampshire College campus? Hampshire College Amherst CollegeMead Art MuseumNorthampton Arts Council

06/04/2026

On the Wilbraham & Monson Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts is a Sculpture of Albert Einstein. Located in the back of Rice hall and made entirely out of bronze. Check it out when you are in the area.

06/03/2026

Annillo in Belchertown Ma. Installed in 2023 by artist Donald Longley from his studio Hercworx funded by grants from the belchertown cultural council