Summer is here!

Join us every third Thursday of the summer months for the Off Main Experience. Our galleries will be open between 5pm-8pm, afterwhich, join the RiseUp Group over at Purnell Place for live music, refreshments, and great art.

Our extended hours:

June 15th

July 20th 

August 17th

September 21

Join us for Opening Night for Themeless: An art exhibition that celebrates Manchester art teachers and local artists who are members of Manchester Arts Organizations.  The theme for this show is…..no theme! Just great art!

We’re also celebrating the Gallery Members who have work throughout our building as well!

Opening Night is Thurs. June 8th from 5:00pm-7:30pm

Also be sure to join us that same night in celebration of Crystal Valladares’ show in our Loop Gallery!. Crystal is originally from Mumbai, India, and living currently in Connecticut. “Each painting I create, is a unique, vivid memory from long ago – a glowing second, gently plucked from a repertoire of invaluable moments, now forever frozen on canvas. Solitary walks along the bronze and gold shoreline of Goa’s beaches, a moonlit stroll by the lake, here in New England, – all seemingly ordinary moments, presented in an extraordinary light. The quiet blush of sunrise, the sparkle and shimmer of a moonlit wood, or the intense radiance of a cloudburst, fascinates me. With my own unique blend of colour mixtures, I try to re-create that glinting moonbeam, or the bronze spark of sunsets, making every piece exclusive. I come from a family where various forms of creative expression is encouraged, and allowed to thrive. Painting is one of them. My greatest passion is telling a story – one that is beautiful and inspiring, using either words or brush strokes, sometimes both! I want my reader or viewer to be transported to a place of divine beauty, which is also somehow delightfully familiar. Each painting unfolds a magical story of the power and glory of nature – a captivating moment, a fleeting wisp of time, captured forever on my canvas.”

The reception is from 5:30-7pm

In honor of Manchester’s Bicentennial, we are kicking off a week-long photo contest with a free workshop led by professional photographers offering advice on capturing people, places and events on traditional film and cell phone cameras.

Professional and amateur photographers who live, work or visit Manchester are invited to submit up to 3 photos taken within city-limits from May 12-May 18. Twenty-three images will be selected to be printed and prepared for display in our EXPRESSIONS OF MANCHESTER exhibit which opens on August 6th (the date of Cruisin’ on Main.)

For those who participated in the workshop, submit your photos here: https://bit.ly/ManchesterWeekPhoto

Timeline:

On May 11 (6:30-8PM) at WORK_SPACE, professional photographers Jimy Avril (jinaellephotography.com), Lynn Damon (https://www.lynndamon.com/) and John Garaventa (https://garaventaphotography.com/) will share their expertise

May 12 – May 18 – participants have a week to go around Manchester taking pictures and submitting three of their best by 11:59pm May 18th.

May 19 – May 31 – a committee will select 23 photos to print for display at no cost to the photographers.

Aug. 6 – Sept. 29 – EXPRESSIONS OF MANCHESTER exhibit at WORK_SPACE, featuring A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF MANCHESTER photo exhibit.

This program is free and light refreshments will be served.

🎵 Take me out to the Ball Game! 🎵

Join us at the Dunkin Stadium as the Yard Goats face off against the Reading Fightin’ Phils. We invite friends of WORK_SPACE and Downtown businesses for a fun day at the dugout! Tickets are $17 per person. Early bird: $15 if tickets are purchased by 4pm on July 5th. $2 concession/store credit is included. 

Be sure to stop by WORK_SPACE during our weekday hours or give us a call at (860) 647-6049 to purchase your tickets. 

The Drag Jamboree is back!!!

Drag has long been an art form that blends performance art, theater, music, fashion, costume, and, of course, makeup and wigs with one’s own body as the canvas. Like all art forms, it is a mode of self-expression and celebration of individuality.

A jamboree is a joyful gathering that includes lots of people and a mix of music and other entertainments. Emcee Giganta Smalls invites you to be part of the joy which includes interactive games and a musical performances. Please bring your friends, your knowledge of silly trivia and your own snacks and libations. Seats are limited. Must be 18+ years of age.

Early Bird: $10 if reserved by June 9th

Tickets: $15 after June 9th

WORK_SPACE Members: $5 by June 9th….call or stop by the front desk to reserve your seat.

Get your tickets in advance here: https://bit.ly/DragJamboree2023