ArtWeek SouthCoast returns to the Marion Art Center (the MAC) with six events during the regional festival scheduled May 9 to 19. ArtWeek SouthCoast is a 10-day event celebrating the arts in our communities by connecting innovative, creative and affordable art and cultural events in communities across the region, from Fall River to Wareham. The MAC’s ArtWeek SouthCoast events are hands-on, interactive, and offered at low cost or for free. View all MAC events at marionartcenter.org/artweek.
The MAC will kick off the festival with the MAC Theater Playwrights Incubator 2023-2024, performance of All the Frozen Ones written by this years’ playwright Stella Ferra. The play is directed by Kate Fishman and stars actors Zara Lemieux and Garrett Olson. After cryogenically freezing his wife who’s inherited her mother’s degenerative disease, Robert decides to unfreeze her on the eve of his 59th birthday. He is haunted by her illness that led her to be frozen, their now 30-year age gap, and a mysterious knocking sound — What happens when Marian thaws? Performances on May 9, 10, 11, curtain at 7:30 pm in the MAC Theatre. Tickets are $8 per person.
Hands on: Spin Into Spring. Community Bike Tune-up, May 11, 10:00-12:00 pm. Is your bike summer-ready? If it needs a little attention after the long winter, bring it to the MAC. We’ll have experts on hand who can look your bike over and give it some TLC in the form of a brake adjustment, chain lubrication or – in the event of more serious issues – they can provide advice about repairs that should be addressed before hitting the road. Coffee and donuts are available as are games to keep the kids busy while the work progresses. Patrons can take advantage of the plant sale being held by the Marion Garden Group across the street in Bicentennial Park as well as the book sale at the Elizabeth Taber Library while they wait. Please note that our bike repair volunteers will not be prepared to replace broken spokes, brake pads or provide other parts. Free, but requires registration.
Take a journey: Annawon Weedon: Historical Journey of Mashpee Wampanoag, May 11, 1:00-2:30 pm, First Congregational Church Community Center, Marion. Annawon Weedon is an activist, storyteller, dancer and tribal mentor of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Join us as Annawon shares his cultural knowledge through an interactive solo performance. Travel back through time to the first encounter, learn about the myriad contributions Native peoples have made throughout history, and witness indigenous dance, language, and storytelling. Annawon was awarded a congressional honor as culture bearer for the entire New England region in recognition of his continued efforts for cultural preservation and to correct misinformation and misrepresentation of Indigenous people. Suggested $5 donation or pay what you can.
Experience: Silk Painting Masterclass: The Magic of Colors & Flowers, Wednesday, May 15, 6:00-9:00 pm. Explore your free, creative side through experimentation with color and paint, without the fear of making mistakes. Join instructor Lidia Mikhaylova in this easy, relaxing silk painting workshop. At the end of the class, you’ll take home your very own masterpiece. Instead of learning complex techniques, students in this class will observe how the paint lives and moves on the surface of the fabric, using various methods of application. Create beautiful flowers and colorful compositions and experience the magic of silk painting. The cost is $35 per person and includes all materials. Held in the MAC Studio.
Watch: Chainsaw Tree Carving Demo with Evan Verissimo, Saturday, May 18, 10:00-12:00 pm Rain Date: Sunday, May 19 on the MAC Lawn. Evan Verissimo of Kind Tree Carving, is conducting a chainsaw carving demonstration at the MAC. Learn about how his unique carvings are created, see the tools he uses to achieve the desired look of each piece and see him in action as he transforms a piece of wood into a work of art. A local artist out of Acushnet, Evan has been chainsaw carving since October 2022. He combined his passion for art and his skill with a chainsaw as a former arborist and created his business as we know it today. The cost is $5 per person.
Attend a Paint and Sip Workshop with artist Barbara Healy on Saturday, May 18, 1:00-3:00 pm on the lawn at the Marion Art Center. Paint your own version of a beautiful sailboat scene in this fun workshop with artist Barbara Healy. We’ll paint together using water-based acrylics on canvas.
Barbara and her assistant Pam will guide you through each step of the process as you get in touch with your inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. All materials will be provided. You must be 21 or older to register. Please wear clothes you can paint in. In case of rain, the class workshop will relocate to the MAC studio. The cost is $35 per person and includes all materials and wine tasting.