Chat with Mardie
2025-04-24 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-01 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-08 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-15 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will be at Fivesparks on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout her exhibit to talk with visitors.
She welcomes your insights, questions, curiosities and reactions to her varied works on display as part of her current show Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Mardie has a lifetime of fascinating experiences that translate into her work. You will gain a wealth of understanding by talking with her.
Stop in on Wednesdays of Thursdays between 12:00-2:30pm, through the end of the exhibit, May 24, 2025.

Pastel Painting - Spring Session
2025-04-30 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
This session will cover landscape and general pastel painting techniques.
Ann will cover topics of composition, color and mark-making in this session. Each class will start with a demo followed by plenty of one-on-one feedback at your easel. If you are new to pastels this class will also cover all the basics to get you started with exploring this diverse medium.
All pastel levels are welcome but some previous drawing or painting experience is necessary.
$300.
Six Wednesdays, March 26 – May 7, 2025 (no class on 4/23)
10:00am-12:30pm
Contact Ann to register and for a supply list and with any questions you have.

email: agillespieart@gmail.com anngillespieart.com

Portrait Session with Mardie Luppold
2025-04-30 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-01 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-07 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-08 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-14 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-15 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:30 | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will draw your portrait!
Come and visit Mardie’s varied collection of work, ranging from delicate portraits to mysterious Kachinas. You can make an appointment with Mardie on Wednesdays or Thursdays, from 12noon-2:30pm to have your own portrait drawn in pencil! Mardie’s portraits are both abstract and realistic, each containing an element of pristine clarity and focus.
Fee of $175 per portrait, of which a portion will be donated by Mardie to Fivesparks to help us continue our mission of bringing wonderful art and cultural experiences to our community.
Portraits may be drawn in real time, or via a photograph, to be determined between you and Mardie. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, send an email to admin@fivesparks.org. Sessions can be scheduled on Wednesdays or Thursdays, April 24 – May 22, 2025.

Chat with Mardie
2025-04-30 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-07 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-14 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:30 | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will be at Fivesparks on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout her exhibit to talk with visitors.
She welcomes your insights, questions, curiosities and reactions to her varied works on display as part of her current show Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Mardie has a lifetime of fascinating experiences that translate into her work. You will gain a wealth of understanding by talking with her.
Stop in on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 12:00-2:30pm, through the end of the exhibit, May 24, 2025.

Free Poetry Reading - Special Art Exhibit Event
2025-05-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Free Poetry Reading
Come to Fivesparks to enjoy listening to area poets read works that are inspired by the artwork of Mardie Luppold on display as part of her exhibit Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Feel free to stop in between 2:00-4:00pm and experience this interplay between spoken word and visual art. Participating poets are Jim Laughlin, Daniel Junkins, Tom Laughlin and Sarah Laughlin.
– Tom Laughlin – Professor at Middlesex Community College in Lowell and Bedford.
– Jim Laughlin – Leadership Consultant and poet; taught at Virginia Tech; studied with Donald Junkins at UMass Amherst.
– Daniel Junkins – Leukemia Survivor/Consultant and poet; studied at UMass. Amherst.
– Sarah Laughlin – Restorative Clinician/ Social Service Expert
This is a free event, donations are always welcome.

School Half Day Felting - Spring Otter
2025-05-16 13:15 - 14:45 | Fivesparks Cove
Come to Fivesparks on some school half days to create some adorable Spring critters! Come to one, two, or all three sessions.
Wednesday 4/2- Spring Duck
Wednesday 4/9 – Spring Bunny
Friday 5/16- Spring Otter
1:15-2:45pm
$29 for 1 class, $54 for 2 or $78 for all 3.
This class is for 5th-7th graders
To sign up click here:

Evening Felting - Otter
2025-05-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Felted Otter
Friday 5/16
5:30-7pm, $28
Open to teens and adults but kids 10+ can attend with a parent.Join Rachel at Fivesparks to learn the basics of felting. In this class you will learn needle felting while creating an adorable Otter!
To Sign up click the link here.

Creating Luminous Portraits on Toned Paper
2025-05-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Unlock the timeless art of portrait drawing! In this six-hour (over 2 days) workshop, you will explore classical drawing techniques that bring character and life to your subjects, while the beautiful toned paper will enhance the depth and realism of your work.
Learn a range of shading techniques and a time-saving method for capturing accurate proportions—skills you can apply to future projects.
A Workshop Kit is included! Each kit contains:
General’s Charcoal and Conté Crayon white pencils
Kneaded Eraser
Blending Stump
Westcott Flexible Clear Ruler
Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser
Sandpaper Pencil Sharpener Pad
1-Inch soft mop brush
Please Bring:
Strathmore Toned Paper Pad, 11 x 14: https://amzn.to/3CsqeqG
Drawing Tote Board for Artists with Clips, Rubber Bands, 14 x 18 (or larger): https://amzn.to/4ftQmzU
A few pencils (H, HB, 2B, or 3B): https://amzn.to/4egEPTD
Knife or sharpener
Optional: table top or floor easel
Two dates: Friday 5/23 and Friday 5/30, 9am-12pm.
$100 per participant. REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE.

Books & Beads Workshops for Kids at HES
2025-06-04 15:45 - 16:45, 2025-06-11 15:45 - 16:45 | Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass Ave, Har vard, MA, 01451, United States
Kids can join HES Kindergarten teacher Allison White for some after school fun to wind down the school year.
Two sessions of books and crafts on Wednesday June 4 and June 11, 2025 from 3:45-4:45pm.
Ms. White will begin each session by reading an early childhood read-aloud book. The second half of the sessions will allow children to create various items using a wide range of materials. Projects may include bracelets, keychains, friendship bracelets or a surprise item!
These sessions are appropriate for kids in grades K-2 and will be held at the Hildreth Elementary School right after school dismissal.
Cost: $30 for two sessions plus $10 materials fee (total $40).
To register, click HERE.

The Art of Felting - Painting with Wool/Rabbit Scene
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
The Art of Felting Using 2D and 3D Techniques
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson to learn the art of wool felting. You can join for one or both classes.
In class one you will learn how to ‘paint’ with wool to create a 2D scene of rabbits dancing around a fire. In class
two, you will learn how to sculpt with wool creating a whimsical 3D mushroom house. All materials provided!
Ages: Teens and adults (kids 9-12 are welcome to join with an adult)
Cost: $28 for one class or $56 for both classes
June 12th: Painting with Wool (Rabbit Scene)
June 26th: Felt a 3D Mushroom House
Click here to sign up:

4 Voices in Color - Artist Meet & Greet
2025-06-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
4 Voices in Color
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein are Boston-based abstract artists. “4 Voices in Color” showcases their different views on both the natural world and the fantasy world. Each artist has a unique approach to creating abstracts incorporating a variety of materials and mediums. The exhibit includes mixed media works, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, collage, fiber arts, and eco prints.
Bonded by their shared passion for abstract work and a determination to deepen their own art practices, Susan, Cathie, Margo and Judith have created a group with two other artists called the Black Sweater Artist Group. This group meets regularly to share ideas, exchange resources/techniques, encourage further experimentation in their work, and exhibit collaboratively when possible.
Judith Stein & Susan Aeschbach will be at Fivesparks on Friday, June 13, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm to meet visitors and talk about their art.
Judith is a painter and mixed media artist from Needham, Massachusetts. This exhibit showcases her exploration of gelli-plate and eco printing as well as collage. Inspired by nature and its intricate patterns and rich textures, most of her work revolves around botanicals and nature-related themes.
Susan is a painter and mixed media artist from Newton, MA. She seeks to capture the aliveness that is inherent in all things animate and inanimate. She paints intuitively, particularly loves working with color and the inspiration for her abstract work often comes from nature and fantasy.
Stop by to meet the artists, hear about their inspirations, processes or to ask your own questions about their art.
Free and open to all.

2025 Summer Plein Air Artists Group
2025-06-19 14:30 - 17:30 | Various locations in Harvard
Facilitators: Ann Gillespie (agillespieart@gmail.com) and Judy Warner (awarner@charter.net).
Enjoy the rewarding experience of creating art out-of-doors in Harvard! This group will meet weekly for six weeks to create together in local private and public areas, including some beautiful sites not usually accessible to the public. While plein air is wonderful, it can be daunting and difficult to get out consistently on a solo basis. The commitment to working with a group can be extremely helpful in “making it happen” and is also fun and rewarding.
All levels are encouraged to participate, from beginner to professional, and artists are welcome to create in the medium of their choice. While this program’s volunteer facilitators are generously donating their time to plan, organize, and manage the series, they won’t be providing actual instruction; all participants are encouraged to share ideas, tips and fellowship.
Donation: $100 for the six sessions. All proceeds to benefit Fivesparks.
Space is limited.
Dates: Thursdays, June 19, 26; July 10, 17, 24 & 31. (rain dates are Friday of the same week, or rescheduled as warranted; no session the week of July 4th)
Time: 2:30-5:30pm
Registrants will receive tips for working en plein air and the schedule with locations, in advance of the sessions.
The 2025 Summer program has been filled. Click HERE to subscribe to our newsletter, to learn about future programs and events.

4 Voices in Color - Artist Meet & Greet
2025-06-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
4 Voices in Color
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein are Boston-based abstract artists. “4 Voices in Color” showcases their different views on both the natural world and the fantasy world. Each artist has a unique approach to creating abstracts incorporating a variety of materials and mediums. The exhibit includes mixed media works, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, collage, fiber arts, and eco prints.
Bonded by their shared passion for abstract work and a determination to deepen their own art practices, Susan, Cathie, Margo and Judith have created a group with two other artists called the Black Sweater Artist Group. This group meets regularly to share ideas, exchange resources/techniques, encourage further experimentation in their work, and exhibit collaboratively when possible.
Cathie Brenner & Margo Ezekiel will be at Fivesparks on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm to meet visitors and talk about their art.
Cathie is a painter and collage artist from Brookline, MA. Her mixed media paintings incorporate old scraps from family fabric, found images, writing, sand and seaweed, and other plant life. She is inspired by textures, color, memory and meaning.
Margo is a contemporary collage artist from Newton, MA. She prints her papers using a gelli-plate, which allows her to create rich textures and patterns without a press. She works organically and rarely starts with an idea; she looks to her very messy table for a spark of inspiration.
Stop by to meet the artists, hear about their inspirations, processes or to ask your own questions about their art.
Free and open to all.
