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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Ninth Annual Uxbridge Sketchfest – Nov 2026The BVAA Uxbridge SketchFest is back for its ninth year! Grab your pads of paper, pencils, and pens, for it’s SketchFest time!
Here’s the plan.
Sometime between November 1st and November 30th 2026, head out to your favorite locations in Uxbridge. Make sketches of whatever catches your eye. Send them into us at info@bvaa.org. Each person can send us up to five sketches. Please have the last JPGs in to us by midnight on November 30th 2026. Participation is completely FREE!
If you can also send a photo of what you were sketching, or its location, that would be lovely. That way people can tour Uxbridge and see the locations of the artwork.
We will make a virtual gallery of the sketches and also a YouTube virtual presentation! We’ll share all the beautiful artworks for the entire community to enjoy!
All ages and abilities are warmly encouraged to participate. This is open to the public!
What Is A Sketch?
Just what is a sketch? We’re glad you asked!
For the sake of our SketchFest, a sketch is a quick representation of a scene done with pen or pencil on paper. It can then be colored in with colored pencil or watercolors. Here’s a beautiful example done by Pamela Siderewicz of a lawyers’ office building on Uxbridge Common.
How Do I Sketch?
Ready to try sketching? Here’s an Intro to Urban Sketching we held in 2025 with Diane Mulligan, to get you started.
Our 2023 Uxbridge SketchFest session featured the talented Howie Green leading a sketching session on the Uxbridge Town Common. The video provides a wealth of advice on how to sketch scenes.
In 2024, this session by Brandi Van Roo covered all the basics – equipment, techniques, and brainstorming, done at the River Bend Farm in Uxbridge:
Yetti Frenkel led the 2025 workshop where we discussed, amongst other things, incorporating people into sketches. We then sketched at the Uxbridge cemetery and the antique store.
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Sketching Inspiration
Here is a map of wonderful locations in Uxbridge. Click on it to get a larger version. This is a starting point. You can make your sketches anywhere in Uxbridge.
To get some inspiration, here are sketches from the 2023 SketchFest:
Here’s images from the 2021 Uxbridge SketchFest:
If you can’t get out to a site in Uxbridge in person, here are photos of locations that our BVAA members have allowed you to use as a basis for a sketch!
Ask with any questions, and we look forward to seeing your artwork!
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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!