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!
We had over 90 entries in our 2026 “Series Show” where each artist puts in two or three artwork items which are related to each other in some way. The judge was Ella Delyanis. She had a very challenging time choosing the winners amongst all of the great entries! Here are the artists who were chosen!
First Place: Beverly Tinklenberg – watercolor portraits
Portrait of Tom / Portrait of Leslie / Portrait of Gerhart by Beverly Tinklenberg
Second Place: Lynne Galluzzo – colored pencil kaleidoscope flowers
Solar System colored pencil art by Lynne Galluzzo
Third Place: Melissa Beyer watercolor boats
Waiting Out The Storm / Moored / Beached watercolor paintings by Melissa Beyer
Honorable Mention: Mike Backunas “Reeds of Dreams” photography
Reeds of Dreams photography by Mike Backunas
Honorable Mention: Merilyn Rocks oil, acrylics, and watercolor cottages
Rose Cottage England oil / Osprey Cottage England acrylic / Marie McGuiness’ Cottage Isle of Sky Scotland Watercolor by Merilyn Rocks
Honorable Mention: David Skillins acrylic tractors
“Left Out in the Cold” / “Ready for Work” acrylic paintings by David Skillins
Blue! What does the word “blue” evoke in your mind? Is it the brilliant blue sky on a summer’s day? Maybe a stretch of gorgeous blue ocean? How about a blue hydrangea, a blue heron, or a blue vase in a window? It could be a feeling of the blues on a misty morning. Let your imagination soar!
This 2026 art show is for all active BVAA members.
When: September 5th to October 17th, 2026
Where: BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Gallery 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
There is a LOT of free parking immediately next to this building. It is fully and easily handicapped accessible.
Entering the Show The theme is on the topic of “BLUE”. You can represent ANYTHING with your art that, to you, calls up the concept of BLUE. Any topic can be addressed as long as it is family-friendly. 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
Submissions To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. The fee to participate is $8 per item or three for $20. The deadline to submit the online form for labels is Saturday September 5th at midnight.
Drop Off of Works Work must be dropped off on Saturday, September 5th between 10am and 3pm. Please only drop off at that specific day and time – it is when BVAA volunteers are at the gallery. All work which is brought in will be displayed in the show (as long as it is family-friendly and, if hanging on a wall, has proper wiring).
Opening Reception The show reception will be Friday, September 11th from 5-7. Invite family and friends – all are welcome! We tend to announce the prize winners at 6pm, right in the middle. We award cash prizes based on the amount of entry-fee money the show brings in. All the money that comes in for the show goes right back out to the people who win awards in that show.
Pick Up Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 10am to 3pm. If you aren’t able to make that, contact us for other arrangements. Please only come to pick up art on that Saturday. The Open Sky staff which handles this space during the week does not want to be responsible for allowing art to be taken away.
To get some inspiration,, here is our “Green” art show from 2025!
The Blackstone Valley Art Association is sponsoring our eighth annual “Show of Hands” open art show! The public is warmly invited to participate in this art show! The theme is completely open. Your art can represent anything. This show is open to all forms of artistic expression EXCEPT photography / digital art. It is the counterpoint to our photography-only show in January.
We would love to see watercolors, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, pottery, mixed media, drawings, pastels, colored pencils, sketches, and other non-photographic / non-digital forms of artwork.
All levels of artists are enthusiastically encouraged to participate. This is a community show. You do not need to be a BVAA member to enter artwork into this show.
We award cash prizes!
When: August 1 to September 5, 2026
Where: BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Gallery 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
There is a LOT of free parking immediately next to this building. It is fully and easily handicapped accessible.
Entering the Show The theme is wide open. You can represent ANYTHING with your art. Any topic can be addressed as long as it is family-friendly and is not photography / digital art. 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
Submissions To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. The fee to participate is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. You can submit up to 2 pieces for that fee. The deadline to submit the online form for labels is Saturday August 1st at midnight.
Drop Off of Works Work must be dropped off on Saturday, August 1st between 10am and 3pm. Please only drop off at that specific day and time – it is when BVAA volunteers are at the gallery. All work which is brought in will be displayed in the show (as long as it is family-friendly and, if hanging on a wall, has proper wiring).
Opening Reception The show reception will be Friday, August 7th from 5-7. Invite family and friends – all are welcome! We tend to announce the prize winners at 6pm, right in the middle, about 6pm. We award cash prizes based on the amount of entry-fee money the show brings in. All the money that comes in for the show goes right back out to the people who win awards in that show.
Pick Up Saturday, September 5th, 2026, from 10am to 3pm. If you aren’t able to make that, contact us for other arrangements. Please only come in on Saturday – the Open Sky staff who are there during the week do not want to be responsible for allowing artwork to be taken away.
It’s our eighth annual Carbon Copies show! The Blackstone Valley Art Association is sponsoring a delightfully fun art show all about fakes, forgeries, and parodies!
Carbon Copies – Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
This Carbon Copies show is for all BVAA members to participate in. The idea is to find a famous work of art and then duplicate it! You can duplicate it exactly or you can add your own fun twist to it. You can paint a version of a Gertrude Käsebier photo. You can stage a photo which resembles a Monet painting. Maybe you paint Mona Lisa as a dog.
The sky’s the limit!
The submitted artwork doesn’t have to be a painting. You can use digital art to poke fun at a famous photo. You can stage a model to resemble a historical sculpture. You can arrange a photo scene of Legos to mimic a Japanese woodblock. It’s up to you.
Note that the source art needs to be in the public domain. In general that means it needs to have been created before 1930. Art which is under copyright, after 1930, has its rights controlled by that artist (or their estate). You would need to ask that artist (or their estate) for permission to use their work in any exhibit.
When: July 11th to August 1, 2026
Where: BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Gallery 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
There is a TON of free parking immediately next to this building. It is fully and easily handicapped accessible.
Each BVAA member may exhibit up to three artworks.
Entering the Show The entry fee for the Carbon Copies show, open to all styles of artwork, is $8/piece or $20 for three. You can submit up to three pieces.
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 art must be family friendly and properly wired for hanging. Our hanging system does not work with saw-tooth or triangle hangers. If you are new to preparing art for shows, read our page on How to Mat and Frame a Photo. Please also check out our Show Terms and Conditions. This includes all details including the 25% commission for any sales of exhibit artwork in the gallery. You may also choose to have your artwork listed as not for sale.
All art items which are entered are hung. There is no “pre-selection” process where some are accepted and others are rejected. If you submit artwork, and it is family-friendly and wired properly, it will be part of our show.
Submissions To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. The deadline to submit is midnight on Saturday, July 11th, 2026. To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. Work must be dropped off on Saturday, July 11th, 2026 between 10am and 3pm. All work which is brought in will be hung (as long as it is properly wired and is family-friendly). If you have one, please bring along a printout of each of your source artwork items, so we can hang those alongside your artwork. That way visitors can see what you were working with. If you don’t have printouts, let us know the artist & work title and we’ll track down and print those out for you.
Judging We are doing this as a PEOPLE’S CHOICE voting! Once the show is live, be sure to get your votes in!
Please vote on 1st 2nd 3rd place! Your votes choose the winners! Please share the video so more people can vote!
Awards Reception The awards reception is at the Uxbridge gallery on Friday, July 31st, 2026 from 5-7pm. We hold the reception at the end of this show so that everyone has a chance to vote. Please bring a snack or drink to share! All are warmly encouraged to attend! We announce the winners around 6pm.
Pickup The pickup for this show is Saturday August 1st from 10am to 3pm. Please don’t pick up art before that point – Open Sky doesn’t want to be responsible for knowing who is allowed to take art out of the gallery. Thanks!
To see what the Carbon Copies vibe is about, check out these videos from our previous shows!
Ask with any questions! We look forward to seeing your entries!
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!
Summertime is a busy time for many of our artists, so we keep our summer workshops light and fun.
The workshop will involve Carol Frieswick’s book and card set “The Artist’s Muse – Unlock the Door to Your Creativity”. There are bunches of cards with all sorts of challenges and prompts to get you thinking out of the box with your art. We’ll have watercolors, paper, and brushes on hand. We’ll have acrylic paint, cyanotype paper, and more! If you have a preferred medium feel free to bring along your own paints, pencils, or camera. We will tackle the creative challenges with whatever we like to work with. Or, heck, if you normally work in one media, try changing over to another to see how it goes!
If you’d like to bring in a few of your works in progress, we’re happy to offer friendly ideas and suggestions on them!
Our summer meetings are casual and drop-in. Come and leave whenever you want, and work on whatever projects you’d like.
Our June 2026 monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16th from 6:30-8:30pm.
Location: BVAA Uxbridge Community Gallery 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
The space is fully handicapped / disability accessible with no stairs. It is immediately next to a large free parking lot. There is a bathroom.
This meeting and workshop is free and open to the public. No experience is necessary. The fun of our workshops is that we all try new things we’ve never done before.
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 try some new things and explore your creativity!
Ask with any questions!
Our meetings are supported in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Want to enjoy a delightful afternoon of art, food, and music? Join us on Friday June 19th from 12:30-2:30pm for our photography & urban sketching workshop at the 25th St. Spyridon Greek Festival! All levels of artists, photographers, food enthusiasts, and friends warmly encouraged to participate. This event is open to the public.
Note that because we are holding this month’s activity at the St. Spyridon Greek Festival, YOU MUST SEPARATELY PAY AN ENTRANCE FEE TO THE FESTIVAL. That entrance fee is $2. 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 Greek Festival when you arrive.
We will meet at the St. Spyridon Greek Festival, past the entry gates at 2pm. Photographer Lisa Shea will provide a brief introductory discussion of ideas for taking photos and sketching in an outdoor setting. Then we will explore the festival from 12:30-2:30pm. 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: St. Spyridon Greek Festival 102 Russell Street Worcester, MA 01609 https://www.gfwoo.com/
Date and Time: Friday June 19th, 2026 12:30-2:30pm
Please be sure to RSVP to join the group. If you’d like camera help, 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.
Whether you participate in the field trip or not, please consider then sending in a few of your picnic / food truck / eating outdoors photos to participate in the free ValleyCAST virtual art show. This show has a deadline of Tuesday, June 30th, 2026!
The unofficial mascot of our annual art-poetry pairing is Carole Plante’s amazing surrealistic painting which we have nicknamed “Propeller Girl”! Carole painted this as a fun project. She had her painting materials out while she was talking on the phone with a friend. Without telling her friend what she was doing, Carole asked her friend for two nouns. The friend obliged. Later in the conversation, Carole asked the friend for two more nouns, and so on. Each noun got incorporated into the painting as they went.
Carole’s husband Evan is a well-known local poet. Evan then wrote a poem to go with Carol’s fun painting.
Here are the results!
source artwork:
poetry response:
Propeller Girl
by Evan Plante
Whither goest thou, fair one… with thine colander hat and propeller lavaliere? I know your secrets, vixen… with your faraway look and your winsome gaze. You have captured my soul today.
I get it, by the way… that life is more an explosion than a stream (although both are true). But you… well… you know my truth, too — and that scares me a bit!
But I feel brave today, so slide on over. Let’s touch hips and not let anyone know. Let’s have a secret love… one that steams the place up — one that embarrasses the kids!
But before we run headlong together, know this: Living in the moment is not for the feint hearted! Indeed, it takes courage to live directly every day. But whatever the future holds for us, oh Lady of Whimsey, I vow to be worthy of your colander.
Want to have fun looking for birds in a beautiful garden? Join us on Friday May 29th from 2-4pm for our photography workshop at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill! All levels of artists, photographers, birders, and friends warmly encouraged to participate. This event is open to the public.
Note that because we are holding this month’s activity at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, YOU MUST SEPARATELY PAY AN ENTRANCE FEE TO THE NEBG. That entrance fee is $24 in advance or $26 at the desk. 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 2pm. Photographer Lisa Shea will provide a brief introductory discussion of ideas for taking photos and sketching in an outdoor setting. Then we will explore the gardens from 2-4pm. 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 May 29th, 2026 2-4pm
Please be sure to RSVP to join the group. If you’d like camera help, 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 bird photos to participate in the free ValleyCAST virtual art show. This show has a deadline of Sunday, May 31st, 2026!
It’s that time of year! BVAA Spring Party Time! This is when we celebrate the start of summer. All BVAA members are warmly invited to attend. At the start of this party, we hold elections for our officers for the 2026-2027 year, which will begin in September. Our BVAA calendar year runs from September 2026 to August 2027.
We will be holding our Spring Party on our regular monthly meeting date, the third Tuesday:
Tuesday May 19th 2026 6:00pm
Bob and Carol Evans once again set up all the details for us! Thank you Bob and Carol!
Each person can order whatever they want and will get their own bill, so it is wholly up to you what you want to eat or drink from that menu. There’s no up-front payments needed.
Please EMAIL US DIRECTLY at info@bvaa.org if you are planning on coming. That way we can create a table count for the restaurant. You’re welcome to bring one person with you.
If you’re interested in joining our BVAA Board of Directors, please let us know! We’d always love to have additional members. Being on the board is relaxing and fun. Every few months we hold a Zoom meeting to discuss upcoming activities. In between meetings we chat via email to plan events.
We would love to see you at our spring party. If you’re not able to come for any reason at all, we understand. We will miss you!
There will not be any event in the Uxbridge gallery on Tue May 19th. We will only be at the Grille 122.
Ask if you have any questions, and have a great week!
New BVAA members often ask us, what is the Open Sky organization all about? What is the daily purpose of the facility at 5 South Main Street Uxbridge, which the Blackstone Valley Art Association has access to on evenings and weekends?
Open Sky Community Services is a wonderful organization which works with adults with a variety of challenges. Some individuals served by Open Sky have developmental disabilities, some have addictions, and there are other groups served as well. Open Sky runs group residential homes, support facilities, work training programs, and much, much more. The space at 5 South Main Street Uxbridge is a career center, supporting individuals who go to and from local jobs.
What is Open Sky’s history?
Originally there was an organization named Alternatives, formed in 1976, one of the leading lights in Massachusetts in terms of humanely helping people with challenges. Another similar organization was The Bridge, formed in 1973. In October 2018 the two organizations decided to merge their strengths together to provide a strong support system across central Massachusetts. That is how we now have Open Sky.
What is the history of the brick building at 5 South Main Street in Uxbridge?
These brick buildings on South Main in Uxbridge are all historic. The buildings across the street at 2-8 South Main are the Taft Brothers Block, for example, built in 1896. Over the years various storefronts and residents have occupied the rooms. The lower floors tend to have stores like gift shops and barbers. The upper floors tend to have personal businesses like lawyers, along with residential apartments.
Then, in 2001, Alternatives decided that the ground floor of the 5 South Main Street brick building would be perfect to hold a Career Center for their individuals served! And in addition, the interior brick walls would be lovely to showcase art!
Here’s the press release from that new beginning in 2001.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Diane Mackintosh
October 12, 2001
Alternatives Unlimited will celebrate the opening of its Uxbridge Career
Center with an art show and reception on Friday evening, October 19th
from 4:30 pm to 9 pm, at 5 South Main Street, in downtown Uxbridge.
The show, titled Aperture & Brush: The Color of Light, features
photographer Don Anderson and watercolorist Christine Anderson. "This
newly renovated space is ideal for a show with its exposed brick walls
and accessible location. We appreciate this opportunity and are excited
to be part of Alternatives’ commitment to redefining community," Ms.
Anderson said.
"We are very pleased that our Uxbridge Career Center is also a terrific
venue for an art show," Dennis H. Rice, Executive Director of Alternatives
Unlimited stated. "The Career Center is integral to the people we serve,
but it is our hope that it can also help to reconnect the larger community
around events such as this one."
The show includes over 40 framed works of area landscapes, views of the
natural world and domestic still life. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20-21,
the show is open from 9am - 4 pm. Thereafter, on weekdays, all are welcome
to stop in during business hours, 8:00am-3:30pm. (The exhibit will last
until Thanksgiving). The Andersons’ work appears regularly in the River
Valley Current. They have exhibited at Paradis Gallery and Douglas Arts
Common and have won awards in regional juried art shows. A percentage of
sales will be used to further strengthen Alternatives goal of building a
strong community through meaningful connections.
# # # #
Alternatives Unlimited, Inc., celebrating its 25th year, is a non-profit
organization providing skills and support to people with differing abilities
to succeed in the community setting of their choice. Its 40-plus programs
include job training, residential options, and transportation assistance
that serve over 650 people in Central Massachusetts.
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Art Shows were held intermittently at the 5 South Main Uxbridge location during those early years, since Alternatives’ main mission was to support and work with its individuals served. The next art show we know about took place in August 2002.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Lisa Mosczynski
August 7, 2002
Lasting Impressions
Highlights
Northeastern Connecticut Art Guild
At Alternatives Uxbridge Gallery
Opening Night Reception Friday, August 16th
Whitinsville, MA. The opening night reception of the Northeastern
Connecticut Art Guild’s debut show at Alternatives Uxbridge Career
Center Gallery will be held on Friday, August 16th, from 4:30 – 8:00 pm
at 5 South Main Street in Uxbridge, MA.
Alternatives seeks to “redefine community” to recognize the value and
gifts of all citizens by promoting the use of the Career Center as a
community art gallery.
The gallery is open to the public from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm weekdays and
the Guild exhibit will continue through September 28th. For more
information, call the Uxbridge Career Center at ####.
###
Alternatives, celebrating its 25th year, is a non-profit organization
providing skills and support to people with differing abilities to
succeed in the community setting of their choice. Its 40-plus programs
include job training, residential options, and transportation assistance
that serve over 650 people in Central Massachusetts.
-------------------------------
A few years later, in 2007, ValleyCAST came into being. Alternatives created ValleyCAST as a self-contained one-person arts non-profit to organize creative activities to bring together people with and without disabilities. Then Alternatives’ founder Dennis Rice launched work on revitalizing the Whitin Mill in 2008, turning it into an arts center with a theater and gallery. This was now ValleyCAST’s home base.
ValleyCAST managed art shows at this beautiful Alternatives’ Whitin Mill space in Northbridge. ValleyCAST also took over the organizing of art shows in the Alternatives Uxbridge Career Center space.
Over the years, ValleyCAST organized a variety of art shows in Uxbridge, including, in 2013, the first-ever palette show. This idea was brainstormed by Pamela White Murphy, owner of “The Artist Palette”. Pamela taught art classes in the Alternatives Whitin Mill complex.
In August 2015, ValleyCAST Director Cristi Collari asked the Blackstone Valley Art Association to hold an art show in Alternatives’ Whitin Mill.
A new chapter of life began for the art gallery at 5 South Main Street in Uxbridge!
In current times, the Open Sky career team works with individuals served during weekdays around 10am to 4pm. Visitors are welcome to stop in, enjoy the art show, and say hi to the individuals. Then in the evenings and on weekends the Blackstone Valley Art Association holds art shows, receptions, art classes, free art workshops, and much more. We are not in there every evening – check our schedule for specific event days and times.
Note that there was also a different brick building complex in Uxbridge only a few streets away from us. This was the Bernat Mill complex which hosted a variety of antique stores, artist shops, artist galleries, and more. It was a lovely community of artists. Unfortunately, the Bernat Mill burned down in 2007. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernat_Mill
