Haverhill, MA — The upcoming Haverhill Art Walk will highlight local businesses, forgotten alleyways, and underutilized spaces with plein air painting, exhibitions, demonstrations, and music performances. This indoor and outdoor program will launch on Saturday, May 8, 3-7pm and continue monthly through September on the second Saturday. 

Businesses and organizations throughout the downtown Haverhill Riverfront Cultural District will be hosting exhibitions, demonstrations and interactive experiences like local restaurants, Triana’s, G’s and Peddler’s Daughter.

The Switchboard will be opening their 43 Washington art space for open studio hours of artist-in-residence Andy Li, who focuses on the power of now. His work is a reflection of the day to day mundane and the moments of greatness that we perceive in an instant. Always trying to adapt and evolve, his work and his personal attitude is the visual exploration to the saying, “You can’t make an omelette without cracking a few eggs.”

Floral designer Kerrie Sesto will be set up at Stem, and Faith Benedetti will be across the street at Columbus Park hosting a community hula hoop and spin jam. Meander down Wingate Street to find featured artist Denise DeLongis Chesky at The Winged Rabbit

Evens and Oddities who hosted the successful Odd Fest at Winnekenni Castle in the Fall of 2019 will be inviting art walk goers to experience Taxidermy Art and dissections at the Emerson St. storefront. 

The Burgess Building at 143-145 Essex St. will have activity throughout, like open hours at the studio of neon artist Nick McNight, an Encaustic making activity with Lisa Hertel and an open house at Rise Movement Studio. On your way, stop at the Essex Street Gateway Mural at 5:30 pm to learn more about the public art piece on the building of Wicked Big with Jeff Grassie. 

Walk down the boardwalk overlooking the Merrimack River, and you may find plein air painters and musicians busking. Art Walk maps designed by local artist and graphic designer Jessica Furtado will be available at all participating businesses and on the Art Walk facebook event.

This program is being coordinated by Hailey Moschella in conjunction with Creative Haverhill to support the local arts community. Creative Haverhill aims to support Haverhill arts and culture, providing experiences and access at the intersection of art, culture, and community and to develop high-quality spaces as platforms for community and cultural expression. 

Haverhill Art Walk is supported by a grant from the Haverhill Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as the Mass Cultural Council Cultural Districts program.

Submissions are ongoing for artists, musicians and performances. Those interested can learn more at creativehaverhill.org/haverhill-art-walk. All businesses along the route, spanning Washington, Wingate and Essex Streets, are invited to participate and can email Hailey Moschella at haverhillartwalk@gmail.com to get involved.