North River Arts Society

Open Studio

Start
Friday, January 02, 2026
End
Friday, December 18, 2026
Schedule
45 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Looking for more space to spread out and work on a project? Or maybe you want to work amongst other artists to feel inspired and get some helpful feedback on your work. Join other local artists any time between 9am-12pm, for Open Studio. Please pay $10 cash at the door. Bring all supplies you need to use, NRAS has easels available.

No registration, drop in only, cash or check.

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Monday Craft Night Open Studio

Start
Monday, January 05, 2026
End
Monday, June 15, 2026
Schedule
13 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

No registration required – all are welcome! $10 cash only

Looking for a creative way to kick off your week? Join us every FIRST and THIRD Monday night at North River Arts Society for Drop-In Craft Night! Bring your own project—whether it’s knitting, sketching, embroidery, sewing, collage, or any craft you're working on—and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming space to create alongside fellow makers.

All skill levels are welcome. This is an informal, social night perfect for getting inspired, sharing ideas, and making progress on whatever you're into. Come solo or with friends—stay the whole time or just pop in!

This group is open to all ages, levels, skills and crafts.

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Developing a Series with Kelley MacDonald

Start
Thursday, January 08, 2026
End
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Schedule
8 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield 02051
Spaces left
0

One of the best ways to really explore and know a subject is to work in a series. Each week we will explore a subject of our choosing in a different way. In this class we will work on different examples of a single subject. Whether it is florals, images from travel, pet portraits, figures, water scenes or any subject you desire, …each student will have the opportunity to delve deep into their subject. A welcoming supportive atmosphere allows experimentation and growth. Use the medium you are familiar with! Come join us for this wonderful session!

All levels welcome.

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting. First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years. While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction. The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method.

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and cityscapes. Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine.

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA. She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

Materials List - All, or as many as you can manage:

Materials List for Developing A Series Class

-Any size canvas (new one each week) you choose - from 6x6 to 30x30 - whatever you are comfortable with. Canvas, board, canvas board… whatever you like to paint on. Your goal is to start a new painting each week

Disposable Palette

Colors - whatever medium you choose (acrylic, watercolor, pastel, oil) I would suggest at least this limited palette:

Large tube of titanium white
1 warm and 1 cool tube of
Yellow - (ex. Cad lemon and cad yellow medium)
Red (ex. Cadmium red light and Alizarin Crimson, magenta or rose)
Blue (ex. Ultramarine and pthalo)
Neutral such as BURNT umber (not raw)

Brushes in an array of sizes - I use flats, but you may use whatever you are comfortable with, in a 1/4 inch size, a 1/2 in size and a 1 inch size. Then a BIG one and a tiny, detail one.

At least one palette knife - any size

Water container such as a large yogurt or ricotta tub

Apron or overshirt - optional

Paper towels

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Wanderings through Gardens and Woods - Suzette Lebenzon

Start
Friday, January 09, 2026
End
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Location
Horan Gallery at Ventress Memorial Library

Join us in celebration of Suzette Lebenzon with "Wanderings through the Gardens and Woods" at the Jeanne Horan Gallery at Ventress Memorial Library on display January 7 - February 26.

Artist Statement:

Over the past few years, I have continued on my painting journey, allowing myself complete license to create the images that interest me and evolve through my process. Exploring reflective water surfaces and their surrounds of vegetation and woods, has captivated me. My paintings are my visual poems, expressing my wishes, feelings, and experiences on Cape Cod and around the South Shore where I grew. Color is my love language. I’ve embraced bold, expressive marks. I am not concerned with an accurate representative depiction of a specific place, but strive to document my memory of a particular walk or locale. The intimacy and peace in the woods delight me. The chaos of an unkept garden draws me in. I use predominantly acrylic paint, with some inks, pencil and collage materials.

Artist Bio:

Suzette Lebenzon has painted since her childhood in Scituate. She has kept a studio and shown in galleries most of her adult life. She has a degree in fine art with a concentration in painting. Suzette keeps her home and studio in Wellfleet.

Suzette was a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council!s Unrestricted Artists!"Grants. In 2023, Suzette was inducted to the National Association of Women Artists, as a Signature Member.

She is an instructor at The Art Museum Complex of Duxbury and at The North River Art Society.

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Drop In Figure Drawing

Start
Friday, January 09, 2026
End
Friday, December 11, 2026
Schedule
11 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield MA 02051

Join North River Arts for Friday Night Figure Drawing!

Settle into a relaxed, creative atmosphere and spend your Friday evening drawing or painting from a live model. Each session begins with a series of short, dynamic poses designed to help you warm up, loosen your hand, and explore gesture. We then transition into longer poses, giving you the opportunity to dive deeper into proportion, anatomy, shading, and more refined detail at your own pace.

This is an uninstructed studio session, making it a wonderful option for artists of all levels who are looking to practice, build confidence, or simply enjoy dedicated time to create in community with others. Bring your preferred materials and enjoy a supportive, inspiring environment to grow your figure drawing skills.

Easels provided by NRAS. $20 drop in fee at the door, cash only. Space limited to 14 students.

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Intro to Procreate - Digital Illustration Basics with Jaimee Reale

Start
Thursday, February 05, 2026
End
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Schedule
4 sessions
Spaces left
4

Learn the fundamentals of digital illustration using Procreate in this four-week course designed for beginners. We’ll cover everything from setting up your canvas and using layers, to inking, coloring, and creating finished artwork. Each session includes guided demos, hands-on studio time, and optional at-home exercises to support your growth. Whether you're completely new to digital tools or looking to build a creative habit, this class will give you the skills and confidence to start illustrating on your iPad.

About the Artist: Jaimee Reale is an illustrator and designer behind Jaimee Makes, known for creating vibrant, hand-drawn artwork for musicians, product lines, and independent brands. She holds a BFA in Design from Boston University and spent several years as an elementary art teacher, which informs her clear, approachable teaching style. With a background in both traditional and digital media, Jaimee is passionate about helping others build creative confidence through accessible tools like Procreate.

Materials:

iPad with Procreate Drawing App installed (https://procreate.com)

Apple Pencil

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Dianne Panarelli Miller Demo

When
Sunday, February 15, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
37

Register

Join Dianne Panarelli Miller for a 2-hour demo where she will discuss her process, materials and inspiration.

Dianne Panarelli Miller is a world reknown artist painting in Canada, Bermuda, and Europe. She is an award winning Boston-based "Plein Air Painter" of color and light and is a signature member of the New England Plein Air Painters and is a "Copley Master". Her approach combines the classic atelier training of the "Boston School", with a mastery of technique of her own personal style expressed through the harmony of color and design. The original Boston School way of painting seeks to combine the truth of impressionist color with good drawing, sound composition and skillful paint handling. It's leading exponents included Edmund Tarbell, Frank Benson, William Paxton, Joseph Decamp, Philip Hale, R.H. Ives Gammell. Gammell was a turn of the century Boston Museum School pupil of the first three men and later consulted with Paxton. Robert Douglas Hunter and Robert Cormier (with whom Miller studied ) were students of Gammell. David Lowery and Robert Moore, also students of Gammell rounded off her studies.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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In From the Cold Exhibition Pick Up

When
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

We are super excited to announce our brand new
winter show "In From the Cold"

January 17 – February 12

This show is open to all current North River Arts members!

Artists are invited to submit their best winter inspired piece, whether its through imagery, mood, or color!

Due to our large membership, the size restrictions of our gallery, and the purposes of the fundraiser, we encourage the submission of smaller works. The maximum size for submission is 20” × 20”. Whether you're an established artist or just beginning your journey, this show is open to all skill levels!

Deadline for Entries: January 5th at Midnight

Submit Here

Opening Reception and Fundraiser Party:
We hope you can join us January 17th, 6–8pm for the Opening Reception and Fundraiser Party Extravaganza!
Come in from the cold and celebrate the beautiful winter artworks created by our talented members. Wear your favorite sweater and enjoy warm cider and hot cocoa at the bar while you take in the art and bid on raffle baskets.
Let’s toast to creativity, community, and the cozy spirit of the season! Entry is $20 at the door and includes five raffle tickets. Artists in the show get free entry.

Tickets available for purchase soon!

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Block Printing with Rachel Nerger

Start
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
End
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
Schedule
3 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield MA
Spaces left
3

Register

This 3-week class will dive into the world of block printing, covering a crash-course on all things blocks for artists of all sorts who want to bring their creativity to life in the printed world. This class will cover techniques for drawing, carving, and printing block prints on a variety of mediums. Rachel will help you bring to life a block and a variety of prints in different mediums of your own imagination.

About the Instructor: Rachel Nerger (Ray Prints)

I started block printing in 2020 when I was looking to reconnect with my creativity outside of the everyday hustle and bustle and a full-time job in finance. I have always been an artist at heart, and have continued to explore new mediums even as I jumped into the professional world.

Over the past few years, all the hours of drawing, carving, and printing blocks has led me to “launch” Ray Prints where I’ve been able to share my love of block prints with the south shore at different pop ups and markets. I have fallen in love with block printing for the way that it fits into life - it is accessible, affordable and has provided me with hours of escape as I work through each step in creating totally unique pieces of art with each stamp and Speedball carve.

Materials List:

(1 per student) 8"x10" block, black ink, rollers and paper provided by NRAS. Students should bring a set of carving tools, Rachel recommends this one for beginners. Rachel also suggests bringing watercolor supplies, different ink colors if you want and any old clothing, canvas bags, etc. that you may want to play around printing on!

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit Artwork Drop Off

When
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Hand deliver work to GAR Hall on Saturday, February 21 (10–12pm) or Monday, February 23 (5–7pm). Shipping information will be provided to artists upon acceptance. Work must arrive before hand delivery dates above. Please notify the office if you plan to ship artwork so we know to expect your work.

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Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit Artwork Drop Off

When
Monday, February 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Hand deliver work to GAR Hall on Saturday, February 21 (10–12pm) or Monday, February 23 (5–7pm). Shipping information will be provided to artists upon acceptance. Work must arrive before hand delivery dates above. Please notify the office if you plan to ship artwork so we know to expect your work.

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Try It Out! Beginners Oil Painting Class with Margaret Farrell Bruno

Start
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
End
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Schedule
4 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield MA 02051
Spaces left
3

Register

If you have ever wanted to try out painting in oils this is an easy 4 week start up class that won’t overwhelm. Learn the basics of oil painting including substrates and how different materials create varying effects. We will use a start up limited palette to help you understand color mixing and application and explore some basics of simplifying your composition. All lending for a fun way to proceed in your oil painting journey.

About the Instructor: Margaret Farrell Bruno

Margaret Farrell Bruno is a national award winning landscape and portrait artist who lives

and paints on the Massachusetts South Shore. Being a native of the area, she grew up

surrounded by the splendid coastline and luscious cranberry bogs, which continue to

inspire her pastel and oil landscapes. She left the South Shore as a young woman to study

at Pratt Institute fulfilling her BFA. She worked in and experienced the art culture of New

York City for many years, but was drawn back to her South Shore roots. Along with the

joys of raising her family, she continued her career and business as a Fine Artist and

Illustrator. Margaret’s work is in numerous public and private collections.

Margaret has always been and continues to be inspired by the works of such artists as

William Merrit Chase, Edgar Payne, William Wendt, Joaquín Sorolla, Sargent, and

Anders Zorn.

She is a member of several art societies, including a Signature Member of the Pastel

Society of America, Master Circle Status International Association of Pastel Societies,

Associate Member of the Copley Art Society, Signature Member of the Pastel Painters

Society of Cape Cod, Juried Artist Member of the Cape Cod Art Association, Oil Painters

of America and the Portrait Society of America. She is a recent past President of the Board

of Directors of the North River Arts Society.

Materials List: MFBruno-Try it out Supply List .pdf

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Wednesday Early Release Day ArtCamp - Spring 2026

Start
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
End
Wednesday, May 06, 2026
Schedule
10 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
14

Register

Please note: Class time is 1:30-3:30 PM to accommodate late release times from Gov. Winslow, Eames Way and Daniel Webster Schools.

During the three 10-week sessions, students in grades 1-5 will enrich their artistic expressions in a fun and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable expressing their unique talents to create works of art. Students will work with a wide variety of media including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and more. Art from the world’s varied cultures and the contributions of major artists will serve as inspiration.

Register siblings for a discount! At registration, add additional children as "guests" and register siblings for discounted price of $220/each.

About the Instructor: Arbrenne Valle

Arbrenne got her BA from UMass Amherst in Theatre and her MA in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University. She spent 5 years teaching first grade at South Shore Charter. Now she spends her time chasing around her toddler and painting during his nap times.

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Reflections and Light by Andrew Flight

Start
Saturday, February 28, 2026
End
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Location
Horan Gallery at Ventress Memorial Library

Join us in celebration of Andrew Flight with "Reflections and Light" at the Jeanne Horan Gallery at Ventress Memorial Library, February 28 - April 18. Opening Reception on Friday, March 6 from 5:30-7:30pm - We hope to see you there!

Artist Statement:

The relationship between light and shadow has always been an important part of my painting. Capturing the shape of a shadow or the subtle change in a tone can bring an image to life. Negative space and the changes created by light are what form the composition. Reflections are another aspect of this relationship and can be found throughout nature and in everyday objects. My eye has always been drawn to the distorted or nearly mirror-like effect of the optical illusions.

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Fearless Drawing - More is More! with Suzette Lebenzon

When
Saturday, February 28, 2026
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield
Spaces left
0

You can do this! Explore sketching with abandonment. Step out of your comfort zone and draw with a variety of materials, letting all the imperfections, “mistakes,” and corrections lead you to beautiful discoveries and exciting images. Perfectionism is highly overrated. Let fearless mark making lead you to dynamic images that engage and delight! Layer, smudge, erase…it’s all good.

In this workshop, we will look at some of the masters of intuitive drawing (both past and present) for inspiration. You will watch Suzette demonstrate various techniques and be coached through exercises using different mediums. You will utilize still life as subject matter. Please bring 3-5 objects from your home to arrange in your space and a patterned dishtowel or fabric piece to wrap into the still life. Anything goes! Ordinary objects are often poetic. Don’t over think what you bring in. Suzette encourages you to bring the drawing tools you already have in your kit and not to worry if you don’t have every element on the extended

materials list. Get ready to wow yourself…

Materials list:

Must have:

A book of cheap sketch paper for exercises
A Bristol pad, Vellum or Smooth, as big as you please but not smaller than 11x14
A graphite pencil
Some willow or vine charcoal
Paynes Gray acrylic ink
white charcoal or white conte crayon or white pastel
3 colors watercolor, acrylic gouache, or acrylic paint and a brush

Nice to have:

watercolor, gouache, acrylic sets
pastels, oil or soft
ink tense pencils
Cran d’arche Neocolor crayons or like product
water-soluble graphite
acrylic markers
crayons
gel pens
prior works you are willing to tear into collage material

About the Instructor: Suzette Lebenzon

Suzette Lebenzon has painted since her childhood in Scituate, MA. She has kept a studio and shown in galleries most of her adult life. Her home and studio are in Wellfleet.

Suzette was a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council’s Unrestricted Artists’ Grants. In 2023, Suzette was inducted to the National Association of Women Artists, as a Signature Member. Her work has been curated into shows at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, the Scollay Square Gallery in Boston’s City Hall, and the Galatea Fine Art Gallery in SOWA.

She is represented by the AMZehnder Gallery in Wellfleet, MA; and the BBLG Gallery in Smithtown, NY.

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Scott Ketcham Demo

When
Sunday, March 01, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
46

Register

Join Scott Ketcham for a 2-hour demo where he will discuss his process, materials and inspiration.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

Scott Ketcham is a prolific and evolving painter with over 30 years of experience. He is a Professor of Visual Arts at Massasoit Community College. He holds a BA from Williams College and an MFA from Johnson State College. He has been a pupil of William Schultz, Clement Micarrelli, Andrew McMillan, and many others.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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Creative Garden Art: Papier-Mâché for the Outdoors with Sally Dean

Start
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
End
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Schedule
4 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
0

Join waitlist

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and have some fun! In this four-week hands-on class, you’ll explore the playful, artistic world of papier-mâché. We’ll begin by learning how to design and build strong structures, then move on to applying paper mâché strips and cement paper clay to create durable, weather-resistant garden vessels and ornaments. Each week builds on the last as you experiment with form, texture, and color while bringing your unique vision to life. Whether it’s whimsical creatures, elegant planters, or imaginative sculptures, your finished piece will be ready to brighten your garden just in time for spring. This class is all about creativity, laughter, and the joy of making something beautiful for your outdoor space — no prior experience needed!

About the Artist:

Sally Dean is a south shore artist who mostly works out of her back yard studio. Sally is a member of North River Arts Society, and is a gallery artist at South Shore Art Center in Cohasset . She is a graduate of The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and has a BFA from Tufts University. As well as painting Sally works in mixed media, printmaking murals and mosaics. She has recently retired from her position as Education Coordinator at The Art complex Museum in Duxbury, and is now enjoying life as a full time artist . Sally was the artist in residence in 2023 at South Shore Art Center working with school children teaching animal art .

@sallydean

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Now Is Then by Sage Belber

Start
Saturday, March 07, 2026
End
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Location
Dolphin Gallery, located in the Hingham Library

Join us in celebration of Now Is Then by Sage Belber, on display March 7 - April 2 at the Dolphin Gallery, located in the Hingham Library. Opening Reception: Thursday, March 12th, 5:30-7:00 pm

Artist Statement:

Now becomes then, moments become memories, but in the moment: the weight of emotions, the dynamics of our relationships to others, and the places we inhabit hold such solidity, it’s hard to realize we are forever falling into the past and slipping into the future.

As these moments pass by, I catch the now with meditation and focus, my interpretation solidifies in oil paint on canvas, and is delivered to future viewers: a moment in time and its timelessness.

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Abstract Painting Workshop: Intuition & Process with Nancy Cloonan

When
Saturday, March 07, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
6

Register

This one-day workshop is an immersive introduction to intuitive abstract painting, focused on process, experimentation, and attentive looking rather than making a “finished” picture. Together, we’ll explore how to work without a plan, allowing the painting to evolve through layers, marks, and response.

Participants will create up to four 12“ x 12“ cradled wood panels, working with acrylic paint and a variety of mark making tools and materials to build layers. The day will also include a short collage based composition exercise to loosen up and explore value, balance, shape, and line.

This workshop is open to all levels and abilities, welcomes anyone curious about abstraction, process, and more importantly, play. The atmosphere will be relaxed, supportive, and focused on fun and discovery.

About the Instructor: Nancy Cloonan is an abstract painter based in Plymouth, MA whose paintings are an amalgamation of the shapes, lines, and ordinary gems she sees while walking every day.

Cloonan earned her BA in studio art with a concentration in printmaking and photography from Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York. She has consumed an abundance of courses and workshops in a variety of mediums since her undergraduate degree. She now focuses on abstract, mixed media on wood and paper.

Cloonan's work has been exhibited and collected throughout the USA. She has been featured in Artypants Magazine twice. Cloonan is currently seeking gallery representation.

Lifelong learning is imperative for Cloonan. In addition to her painting practice, she has facilitated workshops for adults and youth, has been an artist in residence for K-5 students, and has experience mentoring and being mentored.

Materials List:

Tracing paper pad
Shop towels - blue, Scott brand work best (Home Depot has them)
4 pack/value pack cradled wood panels, 12”x12” or 10”x10” (Michael’s usually has them)
Value pack of brushes - get the cheap ones
Gloss medium
Glue stick
Scissors
Silicone bowl scraper (only if you have one handy!)
Acrylic paints: artist grade, not student or craft grade (see below)

I use mostly Golden, but Liquitex is a good option. You could buy a starter set so you’d have the primaries. If you buy separately: titanium white, ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, cadmium red light, cadmium red dark, cadmium yellow dark, cadmium yellow light. A couple transparent colors: green gold, manganese blue

If you don’t want to commit to all of these, thats fine too! I’ll have some extra paints for you to use.

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit Opening Reception

When
Saturday, March 07, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Join us for the Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit opening! Artist members are asked to submit work to this exhibit to be considered for the Festival of the Arts poster for 2026. Award winners will be announced at 7:30pm.

Catered by Mae's of Marshfield.

This event and the awards are sponsored by The Frame Center of Hanover with additional sponsorship from Mae's, Untold Brewing, and Image Resolutions.

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Margaret McWethy Demo

When
Sunday, March 08, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
46

Register

Join Margaret McWethy for a 2-hour demo where she will discuss her process, materials and inspiration.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

Impressionist painter Margaret McWethy studied art history and biology

at Swarthmore College. Since graduating she has sought teachers who base their art on training, careful observation, and understanding. Margaret, a native of Maryland, now lives and paints in Massachusetts. Since moving here, she has spent time studying the mechanics of painting. "I have never really left my science background behind. I am always interested in how things work visually, and more importantly, how to convey this information most effectively to students. My classes are a series of experiments and my students are willing participants.”

Primarily self-taught, colorist Henry Hensche of the Cape School of Art, nationally known portrait artist Cedric Egeli, as well as a number of other great teachers, have been influential.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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Light and Shadow with Pastels with Heather Quay

When
Saturday, March 14, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield
Spaces left
6

Register

One goal of representational painting is to make an image appear three-dimensional on a two- dimensional surface. Understanding light and shadow helps to accomplish this artistic illusion. In this one-day workshop we will work on creating effective lights and shadows in a pastel painting, focusing on composition and value shapes as well as mark-making, layering, and blending. We will discuss form shadows and cast shadows and the way in which a shadow’s definition and color are influenced by the source, quality and temperature of the light casting the shadow. In the morning you will create a number of different studies focusing on how best to capture different aspects of shadows in the pastel medium. In the afternoon you will create a larger piece applying what you have learned. All students will have personalized feedback and guidance as you explore this topic. This class is appropriate for all levels. A materials list will be provided in advance.

About the Instructor: Heather Quay

“My goal is to have my paintings capture the feeling of a particular time and place. I have always been fascinated by the way that painters portray the quality and temperature of light. As a pastel painter, I continue to be drawn to scenes where the light is the central character. Whatever I am painting – from landscapes, both natural and manmade, to figures, animals, and portraits – I’m always striving to render the light I see onto the surface of my artwork.”

Heather’s work has been included in juried exhibits across New England and online, and has won a number of awards. She is an Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America, and a Signature Member of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, the Connecticut Pastel Society and the Maryland Pastel Society. She is also a member of the North River Arts Society, the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and the Lyme Art Association. Heather is a Featured Artist on the Artsy Shark website. More about Heather and her work can be found at www.heatherquay.com

Materials list:

coming soon!

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Christine Bodnar Demo

When
Sunday, March 15, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
41

Register

Join Christine Bodnar for a 2-hour demo where she will discuss her process, materials and inspiration.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

I can always remember having a drawing tool in my hand. My need to see through drawing was important to me, this was something I could do alone and gave me great joy. The fascination for color and how it could change the mood and feeling of a moment in time, came with my love for painting. The introduction of pastels became part of that love through their vibrant and immediate qualities. Through the course of a career in commercial printing, graphic design, and educator, I have found myself in the best place possible. I was told once during post graduate studies to just “keep painting“. Today, I am a painter who balances her time between teaching adult classes and growing as an artist.

Interpretation is contemporary realism with an expressive style. Christine has earned the Eminent Pastelist honor from the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her paintings have been shown in museums and galleries throughout the U.S. in national and international juried exhibitions and are in private collections across the country.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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Driven to (intuitive) Abstraction with Kelley MacDonald

Start
Thursday, March 19, 2026
End
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Schedule
6 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield 02051
Spaces left
12

Register

Intrigued by abstract painting but don’t know where or how to start? In this class we will study the construction of Intuitive Abstraction paintings. This is the kind of abstract work that does not show any real ‘objects’. The impetus comes from within, and flows on to the canvas. It is definitely not ‘what a 6 year old would do’, as we will employ standard rules of painting in completing the piece (composition, value and color). So while it will feel very freeing, our goal will be to have a piece that is appealing and substantive. Many who have taken this course have become prize winning abstract artists, and members of galleries for their abstract work. It’s a supportive and friendly atmosphere, good for both beginners and experienced artists!

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting. First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years. While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction. The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method.

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and cityscapes. Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine.

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA. She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

Materials List:

coming soon!

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Abstract Collage and Printmaking with Vintage Papers with Sarah Z Short

When
Saturday, March 21, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills, MA 02051
Spaces left
2

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In this workshop, students will explore the art of letterpress printmaking and abstract collage composition. Students will learn various techniques for creating layered letterpress prints using wooden type and vintage papers and ways to replicate the letterpress look on a gelliplate.

Students will be inspired by the close examination of abstract artists' works as they learn composition, color balance, and layering techniques for collage using the prints they’ve created.

By the end of this workshop, you will have a collection of collages that combine vintage materials with unique letterpress prints. These collages will showcase your skills in abstract composition and innovative printmaking techniques.

Materials List

Instructor Bio:

Sarah Z Short is a collage artist and printmaker from the woods of Rhode Island. Her background as an English teacher explains her love of books, which she also enjoys using as the primary material for her collages.

Sarah works with found paper and ephemera, utilizing the stories of the past in her contemporary art. She begins many of her pieces by printing with wooden type on pages rescued from discarded books. The prints are then abstracted in her collage compositions to make the original letter forms unrecognizable. Her interest is in the shapes and white space she can make with the typography.

Website: https://sarahzshort.com/

Instagram: @sarah_z_short

Recommended Lodging for Out-of-Town students:

Inn at Scituate Harbor

Fairview Inn

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Cathy McCarthy Demo

When
Sunday, March 22, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
46

Register

Join Cathy McCarthy for a 2-hour demo where she will discuss her process, materials and inspiration.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

Cathy McCarthy is a self taught mosaic artist. Her first experience in mosaics was a life size shark that she installed at the bottom of a swimming pool in Southern California, when she decided to just try out a new form of art. From there on she was hooked and has created hundreds of mosaics including murals, a life size mosaic cow, and her most popular mosaic heart rocks. “I will mosaic anything that stands still!”

Cathy‘s mosaic work uses ceramics, stained glass, hand made tiles, and various found objects. Cathy’s formal education was in graphic design and illustration and now works primarily in pastel and acrylics. Her Mosaic work is secondary but actually her favorite medium to work with. “I’m always working on a mosaic in between my other work. It’s just fun!” Cathy lives in Scituate with her husband Kevin and her dog Samson.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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Live Model Portrait Drawing and Painting Simplified with Lauren Bass

Start
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
End
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Schedule
8 sessions
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield MA
Spaces left
11

Register

Portraiture is a time honored tradition regarded as the highest form of art in classical times. Working from live models over the course of this 8-week class, we will demystify portraiture by breaking down the process into simple steps and trick that make rendering the head easier and help achieve likeness. Students will enjoy gaining a solid foundation in understanding the structure and solidity of the human head and features. They will learn essential principles such as proportion, perspective, gesture, light logic and color theory. Students will learn to see abstract shapes and angles when rendering the portrait resulting in sharpening their eye and improving their skills overall. Students can choose whether they want to draw or paint. Drawing is taught using graphite and white chalk on toned paper. The “Zorn palette” (a well known, simplified portrait palette by Anders Zorn) will be taught to those who want to paint. Clear instruction will be given. Students can progress at their own pace and will receive individual critiques appropriate to their level.

Class price includes weekly live model fees.

“Faces are the most interesting things we see; other people fascinate me, and the most interesting aspect of other people - the point where we go inside them - is the face. It tells it all.” - David Hockney

About the Instructor: Lauren Bass

I have been an artist my entire life, but my path as an artist hasn’t been linear. Whether doodling in the margins of notebooks or sketching at home, I was always drawing as a child. However, the high school I went to didn’t offer art so I had no formal training until college. There I took my first painting class and was hooked. I would observe a still life setup, mixed colors, replicate the abstract shapes and then step a few paces back. Incredibly, there was the image on my canvas. It felt like magic! I found that time stood still when I was painting I was so absorbed! After getting a BA in Humanities, I got a BFA in graphic design and worked in advertising for several years. I put my career on hold when I had children but continued taking painting classes. As my children got older and more independent, I was able to be more serious, paint more frequently and study with many fabulous artists whose work I admired. I sought out some of the best artists in the country that work in my area of interest to study with. Luckily, many live locally.

Supply_list_portrait_class.pdf

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Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit Artwork pickup

When
Friday, March 27, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Friday, March 27 (5-7pm) and Saturday, March 28 (10am–12noon) at GAR Hall, 157 Old Main St, Marshfield Hills

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Festival of the Arts Poster Competition and Exhibit Artwork pickup

When
Saturday, March 28, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills

Friday, March 27 (5-7pm) and Saturday, March 28 (10am–12noon) at GAR Hall, 157 Old Main St, Marshfield Hills

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Liz Haywood-Sullivan Demo

When
Sunday, March 29, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
43

Register

Join Liz Haywood-Sullivan for a 2-hour demo where she will discuss her process, materials and inspiration.

We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to take notes.

Liz is a landscape artist dedicated to painting in the pastel medium. Her award-winning paintings are exhibited and collected around the world. In 1996, she left the design world to follow her passion for fine art and since then has worked as a dedicated professional artist, art educator, and arts advocate.

In 2021, Liz rejoined the board of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, MA and shortly thereafter became its President.

From 2013 to 2017, Liz was President of the International Association of Pastel Societies, where she managed 3 international conventions and 12 international exhibitions. She is on the Board of Advisors for The Pastel Journal. She has earned Master Pastelist status with the Pastel Society of America and has Master Circle and Eminent Pastelist designations with IAPS. Her paintings have appeared in art magazines around the world, and she appears in 12 Artist Network videos, and in numerous books, including authoring the popular instructional book Painting Brilliant Skies and Water in Pastel (Northlight Books, 2013.) Her instruction can currently be found online at www.epiphanyfineart.com.

In addition to her painting, Liz’s current schedule includes teaching workshops nationally and internationally, along with judging and demonstrating for numerous pastel societies and art organizations. In 2016, She was invited to be a featured artist, instructor, and speaker at the Second International Biennial Pastel Exhibition in Suzhou, China. And in 2018, she was the keynote demonstrator and a faculty artist for the Pastel Society of Australia’s First Pastel Expo. Her artwork is represented by Vose Galleries of Boston, the oldest family-owned gallery in the United States.

PLEASE NOTE: This demo will take place at Friendship Hall down the street from NRAS at 83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills.

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Introduction to Mosaic Art with Cathy McCarthy

Start
Thursday, April 16, 2026
End
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Schedule
3 sessions
Location
83 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills 02051
Spaces left
11

Register

Discover the colorful world of mosaics in this hands-on workshop with artist Cathy McCarthy. During the class, you'll explore techniques for creating mosaic art using glass, beads, and other materials, giving you a solid foundation to create your own piece.

Each participant will receive all supplies needed—glass, beads, glue, grout, and a surface to work on, and a glass cutter. Finished pieces will be yours to keep, and you’ll have the option to purchase your glass cutter for $20 to continue creating at home.

This class is perfect for beginners or anyone curious about the mosaic-making process. Come see what goes into crafting a mosaic and leave with a unique work of art!

Cathy McCarthy is a self taught mosaic artist. Her first experience in mosaics was a life size shark that she installed at the bottom of a swimming pool in Southern California, when she decided to just try out a new form of art. From there on she was hooked and has created hundreds of mosaics including murals, a life size mosaic cow, and her most popular mosaic heart rocks. “I will mosaic anything that stands still!”

Cathy‘s mosaic work uses ceramics, stained glass, hand made tiles, and various found objects. Cathy’s formal education was in graphic design and illustration and now works primarily in pastel and acrylics. Her Mosaic work is secondary but actually her favorite medium to work with. “I’m always working on a mosaic in between my other work. It’s just fun!” Cathy lives in Scituate with her husband Kevin and her dog Samson.

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Spun Cotton Birds with Michelle Chung Levesque

When
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location
157 Old Main Street Marshfield Hills, MA 02051
Spaces left
12

Join us for a hands-on one-day workshop exploring the whimsical art of spun cotton bird making. In this session, participants will learn the technique ofusing a diluted glue solution to build up cotton fibers into various shapes, with a special focus on birds. From songbirds to more imaginative varieties, Michelle will demonstrate how the same core process can be adapted to create many different types of birds, allowing for both guided learning and personal creativity.

Participants will be led step-by-step through forming, shaping, and finishing their own cotton bird. By the end of the day, each student will leave with a completed bird(s) and the skills to continue experimenting with cotton at home.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike and is perfect for anyone interested in sculpture, folk art techniques, or playful mixed-media processes.

Instructor Bio: Michelle Chung Levesque is a self-taught fiber and mixed media artist who loves to work with wool, fabric, paper, and metal wire. As a lifelong creative and maker of stuff, Levesque has always enjoyed the challenge of making beautiful things from unexpected raw materials and she strives to show this passion in whatever she creates.

Materials List:

a bag of jumbo cotton balls
Bottle of Elmer’s glue, clear or white
acrylic paints and assorted brushes (NRAS has some available for those who do not have any)
paper towels

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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Floral Magic in Pastel with Julie and Michael Freeman

Start
Saturday, July 11, 2026
End
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Schedule
2 sessions
Spaces left
12

Register

In this captivating 2-day workshop Julie and Michael will help you discover the beauty of pastels. You will explore color, layering, blending and composition as you learn how to create a vibrant floral artwork. They will share: their knowledge; skills; materials/process; tricks and tips and their love of detail – all of which can be applied to any genre, and the workshop is perfect for all skill levels. Two tutors, two creative days.

About the Artists:

Julie and Michael are international award-winning artists sharing a love of pastel and realism. They’ve been fascinated with realism since childhood and in their artwork, they strive to create paintings with greater depth and feeling than can be achieved with a photograph. Julie is in the IAPS Master Circle (IAPS-MC) a Master Pastelist in: New Zealand (MPANZ); and Australia (MPSA) and is a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA). Michael is an IAPS Eminent Pastelist (IAPS-EP), a Master Pastelist in: the Pastel Society of America (PSA-MP); New Zealand (MPANZ); and Australia (MPSA) They both have had articles and their pastel paintings published in many leading art magazines and sell their work internationally and through galleries in New Zealand. Between them they have over 40 years of teaching experience and currently teach workshops Internationally and throughout New Zealand. Julie also teaches privately from their studio in Greenhithe, Auckland.

www.juliefreeman.co.nz www.michaelfreemanartist.com

Additional Information:

Please help us be respectful to our neighbors.
Do not park in front of neighbors or turn around in their driveways.

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