New Bedford Creative

New Bedford Creative Supports and connects creatives in the community! Use to be featured.

We hope you come out to experience "Woven Courage," a powerful solo exhibition of fiber-based works by artist Arghavan B...
06/18/2026

We hope you come out to experience "Woven Courage," a powerful solo exhibition of fiber-based works by artist Arghavan Booyeh, who was one of the 2025 New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Artist in Residence.

Through the intricate arts of weaving, knotting, and textile processes, this stunning collection examines themes of resilience, memory, women’s labor, freedom, and the transformative power of beauty in the face of adversity. Drawing deeply from personal history and cultural traditions, Arghavan’s beautiful creations honor the profound acts of courage woven directly into everyday life.

Come meet the artist, explore the collection, and connect with the creative community at the Opening Reception:

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Hatch Street Studios, Studio 215 (Second Floor), 88 Hatch Street, New Bedford, MA

If you can't make it this Saturday, the exhibition runs from June 14 through June 29, 2026, with gallery hours on Fridays from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM and by appointment.

For additional information or to schedule a private viewing, please contact the artist via their website https://arghavanbooyeh.com/ or the CVPA UMass Dartmouth Gallery at [email protected].

We are thrilled to invite you to UNFORGOTTEN, an upcoming solo exhibition by current 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Zara Shah...
06/18/2026

We are thrilled to invite you to UNFORGOTTEN, an upcoming solo exhibition by current 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Zara Shahi!

Mark your calendars to celebrate this incredible new body of work at the opening reception and explore the gallery throughout its month-long run in the heart of the city.

Exhibition Dates: June 27 – July 25, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Come out to support Zara's residency, experience the stunning installations in person, and connect with fellow art lovers.

See you there!

We have noticed that so many of you have posted about this art piece and if you’ve passed by the southeast corner of Elm...
06/17/2026

We have noticed that so many of you have posted about this art piece and if you’ve passed by the southeast corner of Elm Street and Route 18 recently, your eyes haven’t deceived you.

We are thrilled to identify this incredible piece as "Novel Idea" by renowned artist Craig Gray. It is an early sneak peek of what’s to come for this year's highly anticipated 2026 Seaport Art Walk, which officially kicks off with its opening exhibition during July's AHA! Celebration on July 9, 2026.

This year, the Seaport Art Walk centers around the powerful theme of "Good Trouble"an d Craig Gray’s piece embodies that spirit perfectly. "Novel Idea" is a functional granite bench sculpture crafted from stacks of books and this sculpture stands as a literal and figurative foundation for free thought.

The titles for the sculpture have been chosen to feature powerful works by and honoring local giants such as Everett Hoagland and Frederick Douglass. This piece celebrates the profound stories, histories, and voices that our community deems worth protecting, sharing, and honoring forever.

Take a walk down to Elm St and RT 18 to experience this meaningful piece for yourself, snap a photo, and get ready for the full exhibition opening on July 9th!

Visit https://newbedfordcreative.org/seaport-art-walk/ to learn more about the history, mission, and impact of Seaport Art Walk.

Local cartoonist and educator Cara Bean (Cara Bean Comics)  is a brilliant example of how strategic support from program...
06/16/2026

Local cartoonist and educator Cara Bean (Cara Bean Comics) is a brilliant example of how strategic support from programs like NB100! and ARTnet ARPA help artists thrive, scale their practice, and make a massive impact both locally and beyond.

Many residents already know her brilliant work, as she is the visionary artist who designed the cover for the brand-new Explore New Bedford visitor's guide for our city's tourism department!

This summer, Cara is taking her talents on the road to embark on a prestigious artist-in-residence program at the Westerly Public Library in Rhode Island throughout July and August.

Known for her transformative workshops like Mindful Doodling, she masterfully uses lovable cartoon characters like a stressed eraser, a perfectionist ruler, and a joyful pencil to help audiences of all ages navigate their emotions, take creative risks, and embrace the blank page.

While she will be deeply immersed in her residency writing, drawing, and developing brand-new comics, she is hosting one exclusive public event this summer at the Westerly Library on July 16 at 10:00 AM.

For those who want to follow along on her creative path, discover her artistic process, or read her latest studio updates, head over to https://carabean.substack.com/ and subscribe to her newsletter to see what she creates next!

Photo by Josh Souza for New Bedford Creative.

CALL FOR ARTISTS & FARMERS! The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), in partnership with the  Be...
06/15/2026

CALL FOR ARTISTS & FARMERS!

The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), in partnership with the Bedford Art Museum, has officially announced the call for submissions for agriCultural: A Biennial Exhibition.

This unique juried exhibition explores the complex, deeply rooted, and often undertold stories of agriculture, farming, and the contemporary narratives held within the land.

The exhibition organizers are seeking submissions from individuals who live at the intersection of being artists and farmers or creators who draw deep, meaningful inspiration from the agricultural world

Exhibition Dates: September 10 – November 29, 2026
Submission Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026

Artists and farmers interested in submitting their work to this biennial showcase can find full application guidelines and submission details through the New Bedford Art Museum or SEMAP.

Don't miss the chance to help tell the story of the land—be sure to submit by the June 26 deadline!

Visit https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17431 for more details and to submit.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is hiring! The Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) is a small museum telling a big sto...
06/10/2026

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is hiring!

The Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) is a small museum telling a big story in historic downtown New Bedford. The Center preserves and presents the powerful history of the city's commercial fishing industry through exhibits, archives, and a robust lineup of public programs.

The Center is currently seeking a part-time Donor Relations Specialist to support its fundraising efforts and manage its donor database. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, friendly, and enjoys working with people from all walks of life.

Compensation: $20–$24/hour (commensurate with experience).

Qualifications:
At least 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize.

Required experience with nonprofit CRMs and Microsoft Office Suite. (Familiarity with WordPress, Eventbrite, QuickBooks Online, PastPerfect, or Square is a plus).

Familiarity with New Bedford and the commercial fishing industry is a strong asset.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references directly to:
Laura Orleans, Executive Director
[email protected]

See the full job description by visiting https://fishingheritagecenter.org/get-involved/employment/.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please share this post or tag anyone who would be a perfect fit for the museum team!

Photo by Maggie Howland for Explore New Bedford

The Ave is spilling out onto the sidewalk! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, be...
06/10/2026

The Ave is spilling out onto the sidewalk! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, because the historic commercial corridor in New Bedford's North End is transforming into a massive open-air marketplace!

The Love The Ave Partnership is hosting its highly anticipated Sidewalk Sale, perfectly timed to coincide with the vibrant Day of Portugal festivities right nearby at Madeira Field. Expect a full day of shopping, culture, and unmatched community energy.

🚗 Parking Made Easy
In addition to street parking, you can take advantage of three city-owned lots:

Acushnet Avenue & Coggeshall Street
Behind Cotali Mar Restaurant (off Sawyer Street)
Across from the historic St. Anthony of Padua Church

Head over to lovetheave.com to see the full merchant lineup, check out specific deals, and plan your route!

See you out on the street!

The 2026 Artist in Residence program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is under way and this year's fi...
06/05/2026

The 2026 Artist in Residence program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is under way and this year's first artist, Zara Shahi, artist was just interviewed by Gilda Geist on All Things Considered - Local NPR for the Cape, Coast & Islands.

You can learn about how Zara approaches their work, their signature style, their current residency and how you can join them to learn how to weave in a hands-on workshop, by listening to the full interview here: https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2026-06-02/new-bedford-artist-in-residence-leads-community-weaving-project

Interested in joining the next workshop? Zara will be having their next hands-on weaving workshop during June AHA! Night's Pride Celebration. Free to the public, open to all skill levels and ages, and materials will be provided for you.

📍 Where: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St., NBMA 02740
🕰️ When: Thursday, June 11, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

We hope to see you there.

Next Friday, June 12th, the Zeiterion will be buzzing with MASSCreative third annual Creative Sector Summit!This year, w...
06/05/2026

Next Friday, June 12th, the Zeiterion will be buzzing with MASSCreative third annual Creative Sector Summit!

This year, we are diving deep into "Art, Culture and Creativity as Civic Infrastructure." It’s a full day dedicated to exchanging ideas, teaching one another, building vital professional skills, and growing the political power of the creative sector.

Can't make it to downtown New Bedford in person? MASSCreative has you covered! Take advantage of the brand-new virtual ticket option to stream three incredible hybrid sessions straight to your workspace.

Tickets are available online until Thursday, June 11 at 5pm and can be purchased day of at the Zeiterion box office.

Head over to zeiterion.org/events/creative-sector-summit right now to explore the full schedule.

Photography by Steph Craig Studios.

Episode 19 of New Bedford Creative is live and we are highlighting two 2026 New Bedford Creative Grant recipients!!!We a...
06/04/2026

Episode 19 of New Bedford Creative is live and we are highlighting two 2026 New Bedford Creative Grant recipients!!!

We are proud to collaborate with New Bedford Cable Network to bring you conversations with Sketchie Go Ichie artists Roger Andrews and Ashlianna Felix as well as with Executive Director of Your Theatre Inc. Tener Wade.

In this episode they each discuss their history, current practice, future endeavors and what programming they will provide the community for 2026.

Whether your interersted in joining them or learning how they got here, be sure to check out Episode 19 by visiting the City of New Bedford's YouTube page, which can be found by clicking the following link: https://youtu.be/Y5a3k_7lRgA?si=ovSHGWO-U9heLs3K

We hope you enjoy and continue to keep New Bedford creative!!!

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1213 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA
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