School Half Day Felting - Spring Otter
2025-05-16 13:15 - 14:45 (America/New_York) | 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.

Portrait Session with Mardie Luppold
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
2025-05-21 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.

Chat with Mardie
2025-05-22 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 of Thursdays between 12:00-2:30pm, through the end of the exhibit, May 24, 2025.

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, 2025-06-26 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-10 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-17 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-24 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-31 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.

The Art of Felting - 3D Mushroom House
2025-06-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove

Summer Felting Mini-Series: Little Petshop!
2025-08-06 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Summer Felting Mini Series: Little Petshop!
August 6th & 7th
For kids rising 5th-8th grades
Do you love pets and crafting? If so, this mini series is perfect for you! Combine your passion for your pets with art-making. In this two-day class you will get to experiment with a wide range of materials and techniques. You will learn the basics of needle felting, you will build with clay and you will explore mixed-media all while making a variety of cute pets (cats/dogs, turtles, fish, small furry pets and more). And don’t forget their habitats; you will create homes, food, and toys. Leave with your very own tiny pets but without the mess!
10am-12:30pm both days (turtle, hamster, fish)
1-3pm both days (Dog/Cat and accessories)
You can join for both full days or both 1/2 days. If you want to join for just one of the two days reach out and well see what we can do! $75 – $150 depending on the time registered for.
To register, click here.

Evening Felting - Turtle
2025-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Evening Felting with Rachel
Back-to-back, two project options on August 6th & 7th
6:30-8pm
Adults and teens (kids 9-12 are welcome with an adult)
Wednesday 8/6 – Turtle
Thursday 8/7 – Painting with Wool, Under the Sea (5×7)
$28 for one class, or $50 for both.
Prior experience not required!
To sign up click here:

Evening Felting - Painting with Wool, Under the Sea
2025-08-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove

Felt a Dragon or Dinosaur!
2025-08-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-08-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Felt a Dinosaur OR Dragon
Two sessions – Mondays August 11th & 18th
6:30-8:00pm
This class is appropriate for adults and kids 11 years old and up.
In this two-part class you will learn the art of needle felting while creating an adorable Dinosaur or dragon in the colors of your choosing.
For more info and to register, click here.

Evening Felting - Seagull
2025-08-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Evening Felting with Rachel
Back-to-back, two project options on August 19th & 20th
6:30-8pm
Adults and teens (kids 9-12 are welcome with an adult)
Wednesday 8/19 – Seagull
Thursday 8/20 – Unicorn
$30 for one class, or $55 for both.
Experience suggested but not required.
To sign up click here:

Autumn Equinox Illuminated Labyrinth Walk & Handheld Labyrinth Creation
2025-09-21 13:45 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
The Autumn Equinox is the perfect time to consider how our lives are balanced. Do we need to let go of some commitments in order to make more room for joy? Join Karen Szklany on Sunday, 9/21 at 1:45pm in The Loft for an illuminated labyrinth walk to support your journey toward a balanced life full of joy.
The walk will be followed by an opportunity downstairs in The Cove to create your own handheld labyrinth path meditation tool on canvas, with paints and a variety of materials for a 3D effect.
Karen will begin promptly at 2pm with a quick introduction to labyrinths and a reading before opening the labyrinth for the group walk.
To allow for maximum benefit, this workshop will be limited to 12 participants and is appropriate for those 18 years and older. $25 per participant.
To register, click HERE.
About the Instructor:

Karen Szklany is a Veriditas-certified Labyrinth Walk Facilitator (2017) who’s been dedicated to walking labyrinths every day since 2005, when she was introduced to this type of walking meditation to support her creativity at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boston. It was love at first step! Since then, she’s moved into co-housing in 2009, where she began walking the outside labyrinth located in a grove of trees and has facilitated group walks for friends and neighbors. She has also facilitated group walks on temporary labyrinths she has built with rainbow lights at her UU church for various occasions, including for the youth in the church’s RE program.

Karen is currently a member of and Regional Representative for The Labyrinth Society. She is very excited to facilitate a walk for you and offer an opportunity to create your own handheld meditation tool!

Free Demo with Master Pastelist Robin Frisella
2025-09-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Fivesparks
Copper Bowl by Robin Frisella
Robin Frisella’s pastel paintings are known for their rich textures, natural light effects, and nostalgic grace. Drawing from a carefully curated collection of antique vessels, vintage glassware, and fresh flowers and fruit, she creates serene tableaus that weave together the past and present – objects rich with history pared with nature’s ephemeral gifts. The paintings Frisella creates have an almost photo-realistic quality, but they are hardly images captured in a flash. Each painting is meticulously arranged and rendered in layer upon layer of pastel pigment. Speaking of her process, Robin explains “working in pastel allows me to build soft, buttery layers that bring a richness and depth to each piece – capturing light, texture, and atmosphere in a way that feels both vivid and intimate.
Robin began her creative journey in 2000, when a local pastel class sparked a passion that quickly grew into a full-time calling and her work has since garnered numerous national and regional awards. She is a juried member of the Copley Society of Art and a signature member of the Pastel Society of NH. In October 2016 she received the designation of Master Pastelist from the Pastel Society of America. In addition, Robin’s work has been published in the Best of America Pastel Artists Vol. II, The American Artist Magazine, New Hampshire Magazine, Artscope Magazine, Monadnock Table, The American Art Collector, The Artist Magazine, and the Pastel Journal.
This is an amazing opportunity to hear Robin talk about her work and process! Presented by the Central Mass Pastels Society, as part of the National Juried Show Marks of Distinction.

Felt a Ghost
2025-10-08 12:45 - 14:30 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson after school on Harvard 1/2 days to learn the art of needle felting!
Open to grades 5th-8th
Join for one, two or all three classes.
School Half Day: 12:45-2:30pm
October 8th – Felt a Ghost
November 13th – Felt an Owl
November 20th – Felt a Snowman
For more info and to register, click HERE
