When the weather turns cold, it’s time to plan for indoor activities while on your winter vacation. One of the best things to do is visit an art gallery, because you’ll forget all about the chill outdoors as your mind is enriched with the creative visions of local artists. Here are the top art galleries to visit in Merrimack Valley this winter.
The Loading Dock Gallery
Lowell, Massachusetts has a bustling art community, and The Loading Dock Gallery at Western Ave Studios is one of the best places to see their latest pieces. Located on the second floor of a historic mill, the spacious gallery is divided into three sections.
In the front Showcase Gallery, a new show is featured every month. This show typically highlights the work of the community’s members or features a broader spectrum of work in a juried or themed show. Then there are the Main Galleries, where artwork is curated and changed quarterly. These galleries feature fine art and crafts including photography, paintings, handcrafted gift items, jewelry, and more. Around the corner is the Back Door Gallery, which features the work of a selected member every month.
Many of the works featured in the gallery are for sale, so you can bring home some amazing artwork to decorate your home or as a gift for a fellow art enthusiast. You might find landscapes of a winter wonderland or perhaps something more tropical-inspired to take your mind off of the cold outside.
The Brush Art Gallery and Studios
The Brush Art Gallery and Studios is another highlight of Lowell’s art community. They offer studio spaces to local working artists and present museum-quality exhibitions of their work. Currently, eleven studio artists produce paintings, illustration, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, quilts, and handwoven items.
There is always an artist on-duty available to answer questions from curious visitors, so feel free to ask them about their medium, inspiration, and what they have planned for the next exhibition. And, of course, you can visit the artists’ studios to purchase beautiful, original art pieces and fine crafts.
If you’re in Lowell and wish to see some incredible New England artwork, it’s the perfect way to spend a winter day, as admission is free. The Brush Art Gallery is open year-round, though the days and hours change depending on time of year.
Addison Gallery of American Art
As incredible as artists of today are, it’s important to remember the works of the past that inspired them. Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, MA is one of the most comprehensive collections of American art in the world. Its collection includes nearly 22,000 objects from the 18th century to the present.
In a typical year, the Addison Gallery presents twelve shows, including both permanent collection installations and major traveling exhibitions. These shows are carefully balanced to represent a wide range of art from across time and media.
Open to the public and free of charge, the Addison Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm.
When winter turns the world white like a blank canvas, it’s time to go view some colorful, beautiful art. Prepare to be inspired by the wonderful art galleries you can visit in Merrimack Valley this winter.