Portrait Session with Mardie Luppold
2025-05-15 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | 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
2025-05-15 12:00 - 14:30, 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.

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.

4 Voices in Color
2025-05-31 - 2025-07-12 | 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.
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.
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.
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.
4 Voices in Color is on view from Saturday May, 31, 2025 through Saturday July 12, 2025. The exhibit will end with a Closing Reception on July 12 from 2:00-4:00pm. The artists will be at Fivesparks for 2 ‘Meet & Greet’ sessions:
Judith Stein & Susan Aeschbach on Friday, June 13, 2025, and Margo Ezekiel and Cathie Brenner on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Both days 2:00-4:00pm.

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.

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.

4 Voices in Color - Closing Reception
2025-07-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
Exhibit Closing Reception
Join us in celebrating and saying good-bye to the artists of 4 Voices in Color.
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein will be at Fivesparks on Saturday, July 12 from 2:00-4:00pm to mark the closing of their combined show. Let’s celebrate the previous 6 weeks of enjoying their wonderful art with light refreshments and wine.
Free and open to all.

Marks of Distinction - Central Mass Pastels Society National Juried Art Show
2025-08-26 - 2025-09-26 | Fivesparks
Welcome to our 2025 Marks of Distinction National Juried Show! CMPS is delighted to bring you our annual exhibition of artworks in soft pastel from artists working throughout the United States and Canada. Congratulations to the accepted artists and award winners for your diverse and beautiful work! Thank you to our Jurors of Selection, Robin Frisella and Charles Peer, and our Judge of Awards, Joaquim Homann of Harvard University Art Museums.
Live Demo with Robin Frisella on Saturday, September 27, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.

Marks of Distinction - Reception and Awards Ceremony
2025-09-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Fivesparks
Join us for the excitement and celebration of the many talented artists participating in this year’s National Juried Show presented by the Central Mass Pastels Society, Marks of Distinction.
Saturday, September 13, 3-5pm. Refreshments and music to be enjoyed, and awards announced. Come have a lovely afternoon at Fivesparks.

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.

Overheard in the Orchard - Ellen Harasimowicz, Linda Hoffman and Ariel Matisse
2025-10-04 - 2025-11-15 | Fivesparks
“I am an apple tree. I come from a long line of apple trees reaching back eons.”
And so begins Linda Hoffman and Ellen Harasimowicz’s collaborative artist book, Overheard in the Orchard, a series of conversations between one Golden Delicious tree and their orchardist written by Hoffman with orchard photographs by Harasimowicz. The exhibit at Fivesparks invites visitors into the orchard at Old Frog Pond Farm in Harvard—not only as the home of apple trees, but also as a place of birds, insects, history, longing, and mystery. Joining Hoffman and Harasimowicz is Hoffman’s daughter, Ariel Matisse, who grew up working in the orchard where this very tree still bears a bountiful crop every year. The exhibit brings together Harasimowicz’s silver-toned and color photographs, Hoffman’s sculptures and watercolors, and Matisse’s prints and wire sculptures – a multimedia visual feast, alive with textures, shadows, shapes, and forms.
On view October 4, 2025 – November 15, 2025.
Reception, open to all, Sunday, October 12, 2025, 3:00-5:00pm.
Exhibit closing event on Saturday, November 15, 2025, 4:00pm. Book reading by Hoffman and thoughts shared from both Hoffman and Harasimowicz about the collaborative process that resulted in the book Overheard in the Orchard.
Books can be purchased at Fivesparks during the exhibit.

Art Exhibit Reception: Overheard in the Orchard
2025-10-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Fivesparks
Please join your friends, neighbors and fellow art lovers at Fivesparks to celebrate Overheard in the Orchard, the book and art by Linda Hoffman and Ellen Harasimowicz with guest Ariel Matisse.
Open to all. Refreshments provided.
Sunday October 12, 3-5pm.
An informal artist talk will occur at 4pm.

Art Exhibit Closing Event & Book Reading
2025-11-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Fivesparks
Linda Hoffman will read from her book Overheard in the Orchard, created collaboratively with photographer Ellen Harasimowicz. The reading will be in conversation with guitarist Greg Carlson.
Ellen and Linda will discuss their experiences and processes in creating the book. All three artists from the exhibit will take questions.
Saturday November 15, 2025. 4pm.

Becoming
2025-11-22 - 2026-01-03 | Fivesparks
ON THE SHOW BECOMING
Becoming is part retrospective, part new work. While not Judith Schutzman’s first solo show – others were at Indian Hill Music (now Groton Hill Music Center), Emerson Hospital, and two on Long Island – this is the first place award from the Destination Nature show 2024, sponsored jointly by Harvard’s Conservation Trust and Fivesparks.
The winning triptych is included in the show along with other block prints, monotypes, monoprints, and collaged prints. There are also drawings, oil paintings, watercolors, Asian brush paintings, collages, pastels, and sculpture, reflecting Judith’s expansive interests and media.
Judith waited until her retirement from teaching English to begin art study. Then she opted to explore, seeking great teachers, people she respected for their work and integrity as human beings. Many became friends as well as mentors.
Becoming is on view at Fivesparks from Saturday, November 22, 2025 through Saturday, January 3, 2026.
An Artist Reception will be held on Sunday, December 7, 3-5pm. Judith will present a brief artist talk and time for questions directly before the reception at 2:30pm.

Becoming - Artist Talk & Exhibit Reception
2025-12-07 14:30 - 17:00 | Fivesparks
All are welcomed to meet Judith Schutzman, first prize winner of Destination: Nature (2024), and join her in celebrating the opening of Becoming, her solo exhibition at Fivesparks.
Sunday, December 7, 2025, 3:00-5:00pm. Enjoy music and light refreshments.
Judith will hold a brief artist talk and time for questions in the Gallery, directly before the reception at 2:30pm.

Gingerbread Showcase! Competition & Exhibit
2025-12-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
Gingerbread Showcase! Competition & Exhibit
What better place to delight in the tradition of gingerbread houses (and gingerbread boats, trains and other creations) than at Fivesparks, in Harvard’s picture-postcard town center?
Come join us in celebrating this age-old winter tradition and witness the edible marvels created by your neighbors, friends and fellow community members. Or, take the opportunity to show off one of your OWN creations!
The amazing displays will be on view at Fivesparks for all to enjoy on Saturday, December 13th from 10am-4pm and Sunday December 14th from 12-4pm.
The following categories will be judged for some amazing prizes:

Adult Individual
Teen Individual (aged 13-17)
Group (any group of people, all ages, collaborating on one display)

Additionally, there is a non-competitive, display-only category.
A reception and awards ceremony will happen on Saturday, December 13th, 2-4PM.
The Gingerbread Showcase is a free event for the community and all Fivesparks visitors to enjoy!
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While the Gingerbread Showcase exhibit is free to the public, we invite visitors to support our neighbors facing food insecurity by bringing in a non-perishable food item — such as a baking mix — for our Loaves and Fishes donation basket, or by making a cash donation using the QR code at the donation table.
The donation table will be at Fivesparks through December 15th.
See a list of Loaves and Fishes’ most-needed items.

Gallery Tour with Judith Schutzman
2026-01-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Join artist Judith Schutzman at Fivesparks on Saturday, January 3rd at 2pm for an intimate conversation about her artwork in her solo show Becoming.
This is an opportunity to ask Judith about her artwork and creative processes or about specific pieces in the show. And simply be inspired by her immense love of artmaking.
This is a free event, open to all on the last day of the exhibit.

Artists in Residence (AIR) Program 2026
2026-01-17 - 2026-02-21 | Fivesparks
For what has now become an annual tradition, Fivesparks is thrilled to invite artists into our historic building for 6 weeks of communal creativity for our Artists in Residence (AIR) Program. We also welcome the public to observe, visit and interact with artists while they work.
AIR26 runs from Saturday, January 17 – Saturday, February 21, 2026. The multi-week event will kick off with a reception, open to all on January 17, 2-4pm.
In addition to interaction and observation, all artists will have art to sell, arranged as the Artists in Residence Exhibition.
Stop in often to see what’s happening: Tuesdays-Fridays 10am-4pm and Saturdays 12-4pm

Opening Reception for Artists in Residence 2026
2026-01-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
Come meet the artists participating in our 4th Annual Artists in Residence (AIR) program!
On Saturday, January 17th, 2-4pm, please come and join us as we introduce this year’s artists. It’s a chance to meet them in person, chat about what they hope to do during their 6 weeks in the temporary studios scattered throughout our beautiful, historic building.
Participating Artists
John Haiduk (Lowell, MA) – Acrylic
Ann Marie Hershberger (Bolton, MA) – Multimedia
Gina Kalenderian (Lancaster, MA) – Oil & Watercolor
Oreon Mode (Sudbury, MA) – Multimedia
Suzan Osborn (Harvard, MA) – Oil
Anne Swinton (Northborough, MA) – Clay
Corinne Walker (Lancaster, MA) – Pastels
Judy Warner (Harvard, MA) – Oil

Free and open to all. Light refreshments available.

Orchard Women of Harvard
2026-02-28 - 2026-04-11 | Fivesparks
In late summer and early fall, city-dwellers and locals are drawn to the beautiful orchards of Harvard, Massachusetts to pick fruit straight from the trees. For the past few years, photographer Ellen Harasimowicz has visited four of these orchards in all seasons, searching for the extraordinary within the ordinary.
In this International Year of the Woman Farmer *, she presents an exhibition of four women who own and manage these local orchards. Two grew up in the business, one married into it, and one revived an abandoned orchard and made it organic. The women, whose ages span decades, are strong and productive like their fruit trees. Both the women and their trees embody beauty, resilience, and hope, while providing rootedness and nourishment for their community. The orchardists face similar climate and economic challenges, but each finds her own way to meet them.
This exhibition is a collaboration with the orchardists – Pam Lawson (Doe Orchards) and Linda Hoffman (Old Frog Pond Farm), who are showing their artwork alongside Ellen’s photography, and Stephanie Green O’Keefe (Westward Orchards) and Katie Carlson (Carlson Orchards), who are contributing family stories and photos.
On view February 28, 2026 – April 11, 2026.
Meet the artists and orchardists at the Opening Reception, free and open to all, Sunday, March 8, 2026 3:00-5:00pm.
*The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Harvard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Save Our Schools: March for our Lives Silent Auction
2026-03-07 12:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-10 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
With the recent active shooter scare at UMass Lowell on 9/3/25, the Evergreen High School shooting in Colorado on 9/10/25, as well as number of other recent shooting incidents, the local artist community is doing their part to make our community safer. While the UMass Lowell shooter on September 3, 2026 turned out to be a hoax, the fear that was created was very real.
March for our Lives is a student-led organization founded by survivors of the Parkland, Florida high school shootings in 2018. They lead demonstrations in support of gun control legislation and their mission is to end gun violence in our lifetime. They have championed gun violence prevention legislation at all levels of the government to save lives and create a better, safer future.
Following the horrific shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, March for our Lives led a protest in DC. Just a day after MFOL marched, Senator Chris Murphy announced a bipartisan gun reform package with the support of 10 Republicans, and just weeks later, they successfully passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first federal gun safety law in nearly 30 years.
A charity artwork silent auction and fundraising event run by local-artist, Lisa Nelson will help raise money for March for our Lives.
For two weeks prior (3/7-3/21), display tables will be setup in the Fivesparks LOFT featuring artwork donated by a number of local professional artists along with silent auction sign-up sheets. Visitors can bid on these items throughout the 2-week period.
At the end of the two weeks, a fundraising event will be held at Fivesparks on 3/21/26. Entrance is free, refreshments will be served and winning bids for the art silent auction will be announced around 7pm.
All money raised will be donated to March for our Lives.

Art Exhibit Opening Reception: Orchard Women of Harvard
2026-03-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Fivesparks
Visit Fivesparks on Sunday, March 8 to meet the artists and orchardists featured in Orchard Women of Harvard.
Light refreshments served. Free and open to all!
Sunday, March 8, 3:00-5:00pm

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Harvard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Village Nursery School Children's Art Show
2026-03-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Fivesparks is proud to collaborate with Harvard’s Village Nursery School to help them present their annual Children’s Art Show.
If you visit Fivesparks during the week of March 17-19, 2026, you’ll delight in the creations of some of the littlest artists, in addition to our formal art exhibition on display.
The Village Nursery School is a non-profit, private school for toddler and preschool aged children from Harvard and surrounding communities. Learn more about the school at villagenurseryschool.org.
Fivesparks visitors can view the show Tuesday-Thursday during our regular open hours, 10am-4pm. Special viewing times arranged only for Village Nursery School families occur Monday-Thursday evenings.
