NORTHAMPTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Western Mass Dance Meet-up

Sun, 3/9

Are you a Western Mass dancer, choreographer, or movement-based maker/performing artist? Come join us on Sunday 3/9 at 1pm in the Flex Space for a chance to meet new people, share upcoming projects, learn about opportunities, and continue building connections across this incredible dance community. While this is intended for folks interested in dance for performance, people practicing all styles and genres of dance and movement arts are very welcome!

Flowers for Funds Paint'n'Sip

Sunday 3/9

Are you dreaming of spring? Invite those early flowers in, and help raise funds for a wonderful cause! Since its inception, NCFA's Community Fund has provided almost $20,000 to people in our community who need financial support to access arts space and classes. But the fund is not unlimited, so please join us for an all inclusive Paint ‘n‘ Sip fundraiser. Drinks, snacks, and art materials are provided, so just bring your creativity. No prior experience needed—just sip, paint, and have fun! 

Watercolor Big and Bold

Starts 3/11

Deborah Rubin returns this spring with a mixed level version of her popular Watercolor Big and Bold class! Students will learn about techniques, materials, and aesthetics to create three vibrant watercolor paintings. You will have exercises in color mixing, compositions, and lots more, with guidance from the instructor throughout the learning process. Intermediate/Advanced students are welcome to join, and will work at a quicker pace. Email programs@nohoarts.org to register!

March Arts Night Out

Friday 3/14

Please join the Northampton Center for the Arts, A.P.E. Ltd., and Northampton Open Media at 33 Hawley for an opening reception during Arts Night Out on Friday, 3/14, from 5:00-8:00 pm! NCFA presents El Telar De Un Sueño by Pamela Acosta in the Barn Door Gallery, and A.P.E. Ltd. presents Hydroponically Speaking by Katie Jurkiewicz in the Split Level Gallery. With refreshments, Noho Art Club, and live music by Nora Borealis, March ANO will be a blast as usual!

Cut Loose Collage

Starts Sat 3/15

Join Michael Sjosted of Cut Loose Collage for a new collage workshop series! Explore or deepen your artistic process by practicing techniques to create a cohesive series of 6-9 collage art pieces. This class will be held in NCFA’s Barn Door Gallery, where participants can draw inspiration from the March exhibit. Enjoy a joyful and stress-free atmosphere, where making art with others becomes a fun and memorable experience. Unleash your creativity and welcome in spring with us!

Spring Awakening

Opens Fri 3/28

Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007, Spring Awakening is a groundbreaking show that explores the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood. Set in 19th-century Germany, the show follows a group of teenagers discovering their inner and outer worlds amidst the strict confines of their repressive society. Their poignant and passionate stories unfold in a stunning mix of raw emotion, heartbreak, and hope that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Poetry Breakthrough 2025

Starts Wed 4/2

Are you creating consistently compelling drafts? Satisfied with your revision process? Comfortable with your ability to share your work publicly? If not, this is your chance to become a poetry triple threat! This series is for poets who want more from their practice. If it’s time to make a bigger commitment to your writing life, increase your current output, and improve your ability to share your work, these intensives are for you! More info can be found here, register for one workshop or all three!

ArtPlay

Registration open now!

ArtPlay, the Center’s unique vacation arts program, encourages kids ages 6-12 to think of themselves as fundamentally creative beings with a fun, interactive, interdisciplinary approach. Registration is open for April vacation and all summer sessions! This expressive and wide-ranging program provides space and structure for youth-initiated projects and performances. Kids will have the chance to experiment with dance, music, drama, comedy, visual arts, collaborative play, and more!

Felt Sushi

Session 2 starts Tues 4/22

Paige Quinn-Vasic's first session of Felt Sushi is off to a great start, but you can still register for Session 2! Don't miss your chance to check out her unique wet felting technique that uses fluffy wool, soap and water, and a traditional sushi mat to create a dense felt roll. It is then sliced like a sushi roll to reveal one-of-a-kind designs! In this class, you will create and slice your own felt “sushi roll,” and transform them to create earrings, magnets, necklaces, and more!

Drawing Into Watercolor

Starts Thurs 5/1

Connect with your creative spirit in Drawing Into Watercolor in Nature with Jeannie Donovan. This is a fun and relaxing class where you will explore the elements of art and design through projects in sketching and watercolor painting, with an emphasis on nature and the landscape as subject matter. Techniques in brush application, dry brush, washes, and color mixing will be covered each week as we explore still life, composition, perspective, and our natural environment!

Vision Shift

Starts Sat 5/3

What happens when we slow down and shift the way we see the world around us? How can photography and writing help us connect more deeply with nature and our immediate environment? Vision Shift is a four-session workshop designed to cultivate presence, observation, and creative engagement with the natural world through mobile photography and creative journaling. Participants will explore ways to notice, interpret, and document their surroundings in a mindful, imaginative, personal way.

Entering Liminal Space

Saturday 6/7

Entering Liminal Space, facilitated by Michael Favala Goldman, combines generative writing, inspirational meditations on writing and life, and learning four tai chi sequences. This one-day workshop will cover liminal space, non-doing, sensory awareness, and other concepts relevant to both writing and tai chi. The workshop will move back and forth between writing and discussion indoors, and learning tai chi practices outdoors, weather permitting. Register early to grab your spot!