Since its inception in 1957, the Blackstone Valley Art Association has been dedicated to the advancement of the arts and preservation of the finest artistic traditions by means of exhibitions, classes, workshops, presentations, and other activities favorable to artistic expression, and to the development of friendly exchanges amongst artists and those interested in the arts.
We are warmly inclusive to all abilities, styles, and interests. We accept members from age 16 up.
We meet for hands-on demos and workshops at the Uxbridge Community Gallery, 5 South Main Street, Uxbridge, MA on the third Tuesday of every month. These meetings are usually free, unless a small fee is needed to cover unusual supplies. All monthly meetings start at 6:30 pm unless indicated otherwise. We also hold art shows, field trips, outings, plein air sessions, and other events regularly throughout the year.
Please check our calendar for more information.
Board meeting venues will be announced.
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2026 Fall Show by the Blackstone Valley Art AssociationThe Blackstone Valley Art Association is sponsoring our annual members-only Fall Show! This show is open to all active members of the BVAA. Entries can include all forms of artwork on any theme. This show will be judged for cash prizes.
When:
Thursday, August 27th to Thursday, October 22nd, 2026
Where:
ValleyCAST’s Heritage Gallery at the Alternatives Whitin Mill
50 Douglas Road
Whitinsville MA
There is free parking immediately next to this building. It is fully and easily handicapped accessible.
Entering the Show
The theme is wide open. Any topic can be addressed as long as it is family-friendly. This show does NOT have to be about autumn. The show simply happens in the autumn. Artwork can be any size. That being said, please contact us first if you plan on bringing anything over 20″ x 30″ in size. We need to arrange for space for those separately.
All wall-hanging items must be properly wired for hanging. Our hanging system does not work with saw-tooth or triangle hangers. If you are new to preparing artwork for shows, read our page on How to Mat and Frame a Photo. Please also check out our Show Terms and Conditions. While AI and other artists can be used to generate starting concepts for BVAA show artwork, all final work submitted must be wholly the personal creation of the individual BVAA member.
Submissions
To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. The fee to participate is $8/piece or 3 for $20 for members. You can submit up to 3 pieces. As this is a judged show, you cannot enter anything which has been entered into a previous BVAA judged show (that includes shows both BVAA shows at ValleyCAST as well as BVAA shows at the Uxbridge gallery). The deadline to submit the online forms, so we can make our labels, is end of day August 22nd.
Drop Off of Works
Work must be dropped off at the ValleyCAST’s Heritage Gallery at the Alternatives Whitin Mill on Friday August 21st during business hours 10:00am – 4:00pm. If you can’t make that, you have two other options:
- Lisa Shea will be at the Sunflower Show reception at the Booklovers’ Gourmet that evening Fri Aug 21st from 5-7pm. Come out to enjoy the reception and Lisa can take your art from you there. That’s at 72 E Main St, Webster MA.
- Lisa will be at the BVAA Uxbridge gallery that Sat Aug 22nd the regular 10am – 3pm hours. You can bring your art by the Uxbridge gallery and Lisa will bring that art all in on Monday morning to ValleyCAST.
All work which is brought in will be hung, as long as it is properly wired and is family-friendly. We do not ‘pre-select’ art for the show.
Installation
August 25th to 26th, during business hours 9:00am – 4:00pm.
Judging
The show is judged for cash prizes. Those cash prizes are based on the money paid in to the show for entry fees. Each show is self-supporting in that sense. The shows don’t add money to the BVAA – the money we take in then goes to the prizes and judge. Generally we award first, second, third, and three honorable mentions. This depends on the number of overall entries.
Artist’s Reception
The artist’s reception is Thursday, September 3rd from 5-8pm. This is the final concert series evening! The concert runs from 6-8pm so aim to get there before 6 for easier parking! There is parking both alongside the mill buildings and also across the street in a larger lot. As always with events at the Whitin Mill, PLEASE park in the upper parking lot unless you have mobility issues. There are many people who really need the lower lot for serious mobility issues. If you have mobility issues and can come in with someone to drop you off by the stairs and pick you up there, that would be great. I am also happy to go up after the show, get my car, and ferry people between the plaza and the upper lot.
We will have HUGE crowds for this reception. The finale act is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band. It is well worth attending to meet visitors and discuss your art. I will have name tags available so that you can easily be identified as an artist. There will be a food truck on site. NOTE: We will NOT be providing free food or drink at this concert because it would be challenging to manage the volume of people present and to have free alcohol. No need to bring food or drink. The food truck is pretty tasty!
Pick Up
Pick up is Friday, October 23rd during business hours 9am to 4pm and Monday, October 26th from 9am to 4pm. If you aren’t able to make that timeframe, please contact Lisa for other arrangements. She can bring any non-picked-up art over to Uxbridge after Monday, for retrieval there during our regular Saturday 10-3 hours.
Address any questions via our BVAA Contact Information
Ask with any questions! We look forward to seeing your entries!
Here’s the walkthrough for the 2023 show, to give you some inspiration:
You can also enjoy our 2021 Fall Show!
Read All Posts on our BVAA Blog
About the BVAA
Since its inception in 1957, the Blackstone Valley Art Association has been dedicated to the advancement of the arts and preservation of the finest artistic traditions by means of exhibitions, classes, lectures, and other activities favorable to artistic expression, and to the development of friendly exchanges amongst artists and those interested in the arts.
Meetings & Events
We meet at the BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Art Gallery at 5 South Main Street, Uxbridge on the third Tuesday of every month. We also hold regular shows, workshops, and events. Please check our BVAA Calendar for more information. Board meeting venues will be announced. All meetings start at 6:30 pm unless indicated otherwise.
Membership
We are a friendly, supportive community of all levels of experience. We have members who are just getting started and members who have established a substantial portfolio. We all learn from each other. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced artist, we’d love to have you join us! Membership Information
Member Gallery
BVAA members are provided with an online member webpage displaying samples of their work and their artist’s statement. If you are a new member just starting out, or are an existing member looking to expand their gallery, please come to the meeting or Contact Us to get started.
Participate!
All the work of the Blackstone Valley Art Association is accomplished due to the selfless contributions of our membership who share their time and talents. From our board to our sustaining members, we all do our part to help each other thrive. We offer a warm thank-you to our dedicated group of creative art enthusiasts!
Please Contact Us to learn more about our organization!