Welcome to the Blackstone Valley Art Association webpage! We have been supporting arts in the Blackstone Valley since 1957. Our main gallery is in Uxbridge; we sponsor numerous shows, events, and workshops throughout the year. This website provides hundreds of pages on local art shows, art events, field trips, workshops, museum visits, and much, much more. We even have a lending library. We are warmly inclusive of all levels, backgrounds, and abilities. Feel free to contact us with any questions!
This Uxbridge gallery is supported in part by BVAA member dues, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and by ValleyCAST. The space use is kindly donated to us by ValleyCast, the community outreach department of Open Sky Community Services. Open Sky uses this space for special-needs client activities during daytime weekdays. They allow the BVAA use of the space – and its gallery walls – on evenings and weekends. We actively support their inclusive mission. All are welcome to all of our events and activities!
Nearly every type of artist has to pay attention to perspective! What is 1 point perspective? 2 point? 3 point? How do you use perspective (or break the rules) to make your artwork shine?
Join us with talented artist Eric Rasmussen for a FREE hands-on practice and tutorial on working with perspective! All are welcome! Non-members welcome!
Location: BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Gallery 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
When: Tuesday November 18th 2025 6:30-9pm
This meeting and session is free and open to the public. No experience is necessary. The fun of our workshops is that we all learn new things we’ve never done before.
Our meetings cover BVAA organization business from 6:30-7:00pm and then go into the workshop part of the evening. Feel free to come for whichever half interests you the most. In general, our monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month unless otherwise announced.
All are welcome – this workshop is open to members and non-members. Feel free to bring along a friend! We’d love to see you there to learn some new things and explore your creativity!
If you’d like to bring supplies, we’ll be using:
Smooth drawing paper medium to large size #2 Pencils, soft graphite pencil (ebony) Vinyl eraser Ruler preferably 18″ or larger Triangle 📐
If you don’t have supplies that’s fine – we’ll have some to borrow!
Want to learn more about taking lovely photos? Join us on Friday November 21st 2025 from 1-3pm for our photography workshop at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill! All levels of photographers warmly encouraged to participate. This event is open to the public.
NOTE THE UPDATED TIME! 1-3pm! We have a BVAA reception in Uxbridge at 5pm so I need to make it back in time to get ready for that.
The cost of the photography workshop is $5 each.
Note that because we are holding this month’s workshop at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, YOU MUST SEPARATELY PAY AN ENTRANCE FEE TO THE NEBG. That entrance fee is $20. You can find discount or free tickets at many local libraries. Check with your libraries to find an inexpensive way to get into the gardens. If you are a individual served by Open Sky, talk with Open Sky about being sponsored for this event. You pay that entry fee directly to the NEBG when you arrive.
We will meet at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, past the entry gates, by the turtle fountain at 1pm. Photographer Lisa Shea will provide a brief introductory discussion of ideas for taking photos in an outdoor setting. Then we will explore the gardens from 1-3pm. You can roam on your own, stay with the group, and ask questions whenever you wish. Feel free to come early or stay late!
Location: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 11 French Drive Boylston, MA https://nebg.org/
Date and Time: Friday November 21st, 2025 1-3pm
Please be sure to RSVP to join the group. Let Lisa know what type of cellphone or camera you plan on bringing. Lisa can then send you a PDF of ideas to get you started. If you don’t have access to any cellphone or camera, we have a few we would be able to lend for the afternoon.
Let us know if you have any questions! And please make sure you research your New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill tickets beforehand. That way you can get discount tickets from your local library or from Open Sky (if applicable) to save on your entrance fee.
Whether you participate in the field trip or not, please consider then sending in a few of your Beautiful Skies photos to participate in the free ValleyCAST virtual art show. This show has a deadline of Sunday, November 30th, 2025!
I’m excited to share information about the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation’s Artist in Residence Program. We are thrilled to explore ways to connect regional artists’ creative expertise with students and educators across partner districts.
About the Program
BV ED Artist in Residence (AIR) initiative brings local artists into K–12 classrooms to collaborate with educators on student-centered, curriculum-connected arts experiences. These residencies can vary in format and length but do have a minimum expectation of 2 class periods with the same class. This program is designed to highlight the real-world value of artistic practice while connecting students with regional artists.
These are just a few early examples. We expect additional requests to come in over the next month as more teachers enroll in the program.
If you or any artists you may know are interested in being considered for one or more upcoming residencies, please fill out this RSVP form.
We’re deeply committed to highlighting the artistic talent within our region and building meaningful connections between artists, students, and educators. Please share this with any artists in your network and thank you for considering being part of this work. Please reach out with any questions or input and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Join us at ValleyCAST every month for a fun, FREE, and creative art workshop! Our November 2025 workshop is on the theme of Gratitude – perfect for Thanksgiving! We will be painting and drawing inspiring designs on rocks. They’ll be delightful for decoration and gift-giving. The workshop is led by the talented Laura Cenedella!
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 10am-11am and 1pm-2pm
Located at: The Singh Performance Center First Floor Maker’s Space 60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA
Two sessions are available to attend, so you can choose the time that works best for you!
All supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring additional materials if you have a specific vision in mind. We’ll have samples on hand to provide inspiration. All ages and abilities are encourage to participate! FREE!
About Laura Cenedella When I was in school, my favorite time of day was when I was allowed to draw and paint. As I got older, this love never faded and eventually I went on to study art. I use many different mediums, such as oil, acrylics, watercolor, pastels and photography. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.
Our 11th annual Macabre art show is all about images which are creepy, spooky, and a little unsettling!
The artists participating in 2025 are: Bob Evans . Carol Frieswick . Carole Plante . Evan Plante . Judy Murphy . Laura Cenedella . Linda DeFeudis . Lisa Shea . Mike Zeis . Tina Dobberpuhl . Bob See
Click on an image to see it in a larger size. Most of these prints are available for sale – contact us for information.
Bob EvansBob EvansBob EvansBob EvansBob EvannsBob SeeBob SeeBob SeeCarole Plante / How They REALLY DiedCarole Plante / It’s a Jungle Out There!Carole Plante / Bringing Home the BaconCarol Frieswick / Naumkeag Halloween decorhttp://Evan Plante / The Screaming Bunny GodJudy MurphyJudy Murphy / Off With Her Head!Laura Cenedella / Blood SampleLaura Cenedella / Untamed SpiritLaura Cenedella / Active Former Never To Be Realized LinesLinda DeFeudisLisa SheaLisa SheaLisa SheaLisa SheaLisa SheaMike Zeis Junk-Yard ToddlerTina Dobberpuhl / 3 Skeletons WaitingTina Dobberpuhl / Graveyard PatrolTina Dobberpuhl / Old Guy – Abandoned HallTina Dobberpuhl / Skeleton Dance PartyTina Dobberpuhl / Something Wicked This Way Comes
Here’s the video version!
Here’s the full details about this annual virtual show:
Happy October 2025! The Blackstone Valley Art Association has so many events going on in October that we’ve created a fridge flyer for you to refer to! Enjoy!
Click on this for a standalone image you can print!
Come join us at the Willard House & Clock Museum in Grafton! All are welcome as we learn more about creating art outdoors! You can take photos, sketch, watercolor paint, draw, or whatever you’d like. Talented artist Scott Nelson will be providing a demonstration of sketching the gorgeous historic structures. You can watch him or do your own art! FREE!
WHEN: Friday, October 17th, 2-4pm
WHERE: Willard House & Clock Museum 11 Willard Street North Grafton, MA
You can bring your own cameras, sketchbooks, and painting supplies if you wish. For those who don’t have supplies, we’ll have loaner sketching supplies, painting supplies, and cameras on hand for those who want to participate hands on.
You’re also welcome to simply pop in and watch for a while!
This art event is fully open to ALL people of all levels, ages, and abilities. We encourage community members to stop in and learn more about creating art! FREE!
Here’s more info about the Willard House & Clock Museum –
Come join us at the Waters Farm in Sutton for their Farm Day celebration on Sunday October 19th, 2025. Farm Day runs from 10am to 4pm. We will be there sketching and taking photos from noon to 2pm! RAIN OR SHINE! All are welcome as we practice sketching and photography amongst the tractors, animals, farm architecture, and more! You can take photos, sketch, watercolor paint, draw, or whatever you’d like.
Talented artist Brandi Van Roo will give us an overview of the basics of sketching, by the main doors of the Waters Farm Farmhouse (where it should be quieter), and then we’ll be off!
You can bring your own cameras, sketchbooks, and painting supplies if you wish. For those who don’t have supplies, we’ll have loaner sketching supplies, painting supplies, and cameras on hand for those who want to participate hands on.
You’re also welcome to simply pop in and watch for a while!
Farm Day at Waters Farm charges $15 per adult and $10 for seniors to participate.
Note if you prefer quiet and solitude that there is a LOT to sketch without going in to the Farm Day activities. The overlook of Manchaug Pond is gorgeous, and all of the farm buildings are visible from the road area. Contact us if that is what you’d like to focus on, so we can arrange parking.
If you do want to go in to see the animals and tractors up close, they’ll have blacksmith demos, shingling demos, tractor pulls, animals, and much more to work with.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please RSVP if you’re coming to participate in our group. That way we know who we are waiting for. Thanks!! Alternatively, if you’re simply enjoying the Farm Day event, you can look for Lisa Shea. She’ll be wearing a bright orange Tshirt plus a bright orange sun hat, both of which say BVAA on it. She has mid-back dark hair. She’ll carry sketching supplies with her which can be borrowed. When you register you’ll get her phone # so you can text her to track the group down.
This art event is fully open to ALL people of all levels, ages, and abilities. We encourage community members to stop in and learn more about creating art!
Want to learn more about taking lovely photos? Join us on Friday October 24th 2025 from 1-3pm for our photography workshop at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill! All levels of photographers warmly encouraged to participate. This event is open to the public.
NOTE THE UPDATED TIME! 1-3pm! We have a BVAA reception in Uxbridge at 5pm so I need to make it back in time to get ready for that.
The cost of the photography workshop is $5 each.
Note that because we are holding this month’s workshop at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, YOU MUST SEPARATELY PAY AN ENTRANCE FEE TO TOWER HILL. That entrance fee is $20. You can find discount or free tickets at many local libraries. Check with your libraries to find an inexpensive way to get into the gardens. If you are a individual served by Open Sky, talk with Open Sky about being sponsored for this event. You pay that entry fee directly to Tower Hill when you arrive.
We will meet at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, past the entry gates, by the turtle fountain at 1pm. Photographer Lisa Shea will provide a brief introductory discussion of ideas for taking photos in an outdoor setting. Then we will explore the gardens from 1-3pm. You can roam on your own, stay with the group, and ask questions whenever you wish. Feel free to come early or stay late!
Location: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 11 French Drive Boylston, MA https://nebg.org/
Date and Time: Friday October 24th, 2025 1-3pm
Please be sure to RSVP to join the group. Let Lisa know what type of cellphone or camera you plan on bringing. Lisa can then send you a PDF of ideas to get you started. If you don’t have access to any cellphone or camera, we have a few we would be able to lend for the afternoon.
Let us know if you have any questions! And please make sure you research your New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill tickets beforehand. That way you can get discount tickets from your local library or from Open Sky (if applicable) to save on your entrance fee.
Whether you participate in the field trip or not, please consider then sending in a few of your Beautiful Skies photos to participate in the free ValleyCAST virtual art show. This show has a deadline of Sunday, October 26th, 2025!
Come join us at the Triad Bridge in Millville, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 16th 2025 from 10am to noon! RAIN OR SHINE! All are welcome as we set up on site and paint a painting of the Millville triad bridge area! You can take photos, sketch, watercolor paint, draw, or whatever you’d like. You could watch talented artist Laura Cenedella as she paints plein air on site, showcasing the beauty of this location.
There is a large free parking lot at the corner of Central Street and Hope Street, Millville to get started. You can bring your own cameras, sketchbooks, and painting supplies if you wish. For those who don’t have supplies, we’ll have loaner sketching supplies, painting supplies, and cameras on hand for those who want to participate hands on.
You’re also welcome to simply pop in and watch for a while!
This event is fully open to ALL people of all levels, ages, and abilities. We encourage community members to stop in and learn more about creating art!
Our featured artist is the talented Laura Cenedella:
If you specifically would like to try your hand at painting on location – known as plein air – here’s a workshop Dianne Panarelli Miller did for us in April, giving ideas how to prepare for plein air painting. Take a look!
Here’s a written list of items to bring with you when you do your own plein air painting. Note that at the this Millville event we’ll have supplies on hand for this community event, if you’d like to borrow ours to give this a try. So you don’t need to bring supplies to Millville. Still, if you’d like to build up your own travel bag of items, this page will get you started.
