Community Calendar

Welcome to the Harvard Arts Festival! From April 30 to May 3, Harvard’s campus transforms into a four-day celebration of the arts, bursting with creativity from Harvard students, staff, alums and faculty. Wander through iconic indoor and outdoor spaces as you catch more than 100 performances, exhibitions and hands-on arts experiences. New this year: dance outdoors at one of Harvard’s biggest-ever freestyle dance parties; raise your voice in a choral sing-along; help build a life-sized fin whale mural from plastic strips in a community art project. The festival is open to everyone, family-friendly and mostly free (a few ticketed events have admission fees). Join the joy! Share in a celebration of artistic boldness. Can’t get to campus? Watch selected events livestreamed at HarvardArts on YouTube.

The Remnant and The Echo, Ligia Bouton

This exhibition will explore movement as an integral throughline in Kwame Brathwaite’s work—one that spans his deep engagement with social and political movements and his keen attention to the body in motion. Brathwaite’s images intimate the powerful and transformative ways that action can convey joy, beauty, strength, and hope, even in charged moments.

Brathwaite (1938-2023) is perhaps most recognized for photographs celebrating Black beauty and excellence in fashion, music, and athletics. His studio portraits and concert photography like his documentation of historic marches, the everyday life of residents in Harlem and The Bronx, and of athletes such as Muhammad Ali convey the power of the body as a symbol of cultural strength, resilience, and pan-African solidarity. Through a selection of original and new prints from archival negatives, the exhibition will offer an opportunity to experience the breadth of his work and its resonance today.

Curated in close partnership with Brathwaite’s son and daughter-in-law, Kwame and Robynn Brathwaite (Amherst College Class of 1996 and 1998, respectively), Revolutionary Movements will expand stories about the artist's work and its international circulation.

Kwame Brathwaite: Revolutionary Movements is made possible by Teiger Foundation.

JooYoung Choi is an astro-futurist artist whose expansive practice blends autobiography and invention. For over a decade, Choi's work has centered on developing narratives within a highly structured imaginary realm known as the Cosmic Womb.

Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer brings together early and recent paintings, a sculptural installation, and video works that chronicle one character's journey of self-discovery. Long known as Nina Blue, the Quantum Soup Surfer first appeared in the Cosmic Womb as a professional imaginary friend, contributing to the journeys of several legendary heroes of the Cosmic Womb.

The exhibition follows Nina Blue's passage from supporting character to protagonist. She emerges as the Quantum Soup Surfer--a celestial superhero and thoughtful navigator who channels the spiritual energy of water to brave uncharted territories and share her story of resilience.

Inspired by the Cosmic Womb's motto--"Have Faith for You have Always Been Loved"--this exhibition foregrounds imagination, curiosity, and art as tools for resilience that have been significant for Nina Blue's transformation into the Quantum Soup Surfer and the hero of this story.

Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer is made possible by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

The Springfield Garden Club invites families, gardeners, teachers, and book lovers to experience Children’s Books in Bloom: Miniature Gardens That Tell a Tale, a whimsical exhibit transforming beloved children’s stories into enchanting miniature gardens. The event will take place May 1–3, 2026 at the historic Forest Park Monkey House. The event will kick off Children’s Book Week, May 4-10, which is being celebrated at area libraries.
This imaginative show features dozens of creative floral displays each inspired by classic children’s book. Visitors will discover their favorite stories—from magical castles and woodland scenes to beloved characters and adventures filled with plants and flowers.
Designed for visitors of all ages, Children’s Books in Bloom combines gardening, storytelling, and creativity in an immersive setting. Guests can enjoy story time readings, explore enchanting garden displays, and share the joy of books with children and grandchildren.
The exhibit also supports a meaningful cause. The event is free and open to the public but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations from the event go towards a future Forest Park Kiddie Train.
“We know children and adults will enjoy these colorful, playful designs!” says Springfield Garden Club President Wanda Roberge. “By pairing tabletop gardens with children’s books, we hope to spark creativity, encourage reading, and inspire young gardeners.”
The event promises a magical experience for families, educators, and garden enthusiasts alike.

Mishoon Camp: Ashfield Hosts Mishoon Burn by Nipmuc-Led Organization

Belding Memorial Park, Ashfield

Friday, May 1 through Sunday May 3, 2026
Open to the public 9:00am to 5:00pm daily
Lighting of the Mishoon: 9:30am on Friday, May 1

A mishoon is a dugout canoe shaped from a single tree trunk through a careful, controlled process using fire, water, and hand tools. Visitors are welcome to come observe and learn about this traditional practice with No Loose Braids, a local Nipmuc-led organization dedicated to continuing and reviving Eastern Woodlands traditions.

The project is a collaboration between the Town of Ashfield and No Loose Braids, with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Step into WUNDERLAND and build a tiny home for fairies and gnomes! This free, community-building workshop with artist Loren Brock—creator of Sunderland’s magical fairy path—invites you to craft a whimsical dwelling from natural materials. Bring shells, stones, feathers, or treasures. Your creation will be donated to grow the Wunderland path—thank you for adding a little magic!

Join High Five Books and local author Vicki Johnson for a celebratory launch of her affirming new picture book, MAC WEARS A HAT, illustrated by Gillian Reid, on Saturday, May 2, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.

ABOUT 'MAC WEARS A HAT'

Mac loves to wear hats. She has one for every occasion, and they help her feel joyful, confident, and adventurous. Not everyone understands her style, but kind words from strangers encourage Mac to be herself.

This inclusive book celebrates kindness and positivity, and that what makes you different, makes you special!

William Baczek Fine Arts, in Northampton, Massachusetts will celebrate thirty years of operation this May with a group show of both established gallery artists and introducing new artists who have recently joined the gallery. The exhibition will be on display from Wednesday, April 29 through Saturday, June 6, 2026. The public is invited to an opening reception with the artists on Saturday, May 2 from 4 – 6 pm.

The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is seeking donations of gently used adult and children’s books, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles for their upcoming book sale. Donations will only be accepted by curbside drop-off at the back door of the First United Methodist Church, 16 Court St., Westfield, during the weeks of April 6-11 and April 13-18 as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-1; Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7, and Saturday from 9-12.
Please note that we cannot accept musty or damaged books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, Reader’s Digest books, or outdated manuals, travel books, or self-help books.
The book sale will be held at the Church on Thursday, April 23, 10-7; Friday, April 24, 10-5; and Saturday, April 25, 10-2. On Thursday only, we are offering a $5.00 discount for educators (bring your ID!) and new Friends members joining at the door.
The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is an all-volunteer 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization that supports the programs and services of the Westfield Athenaeum.