Music is Meditation
2026-04-03 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Fivesparks
Age-old practices of meditation, such as Zen, remain an effective means of promoting stress-reduction and attaining self-awareness.
This series, entitled “Music is Meditation,” will explore the possibilities of using “musical mantras” in the place of verbal ones in the practice of collective meditation.
Each session will entail two 20-minute meditation periods, each employing recurrent musical motives or tranquil meandering themes, played on keyboard, as a focus for inward centering.
The first meeting will begin with a brief introduction to the practice of collective meditation.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and bring a small mat if intending to sit on the floor. Chairs will be provided.
Music is Meditation will meet weekly at 9:00am- 10:00am on Friday mornings for 4 sessions (April 3, 10, 17 and May 1, skipping April 24 for school break)
Fee for the 4 class series is $50.
Click HERE to Register for Music is Meditation

Greenhut Artist Residency Open House
2026-04-04 14:00 - 15:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Greenhut Artist Residency is proud to announce our Open House hosted in partnership with Fivesparks. Join us on Saturday April 4th, 2026 in the FiveSparks Gallery to learn more about the new arts nonprofit organization at 35 Oak Hill Road.
The Open House will feature an informative presentation followed by a robust Q+A session. We look forward to sharing more information about the residency program and opportunities for the public to join us onsite. Greenhut Artist Residency aims to provide inspiration and community to small cohorts of artists and writers who will live and create in Harvard for month-long sessions. This program was founded by life-long Harvard resident Meredith Combs McAlister, who grew up on Oak Hill. All ages are welcome.
If you have any questions, please contact Dana Notine (Curator and Director of Programs) dana@greenhutresidency.org

Pastel Painting - Spring Session
2026-04-08 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-15 10:00 - 12:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Pastel painting with a focus on local landscapes but you are welcome to explore whatever interests you.
I’ll share my process including exploring composition, values, color and mark-making. I will have a combination of weekly demos and exercises at the beginning of class, followed by plenty of one-on-one feedback at your easel.
All pastel levels are welcome but some previous drawing or painting experience is necessary.
Contact agillespieart@gmail.com to register and for a supply list or any questions you have.
This class is appropriate for adults. $330/participant.

Snapology: Science of Slime
2026-04-08 12:30 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Get ready for a fun, hands-on dive into kid-friendly chemistry! In this Science of Slime workshop, students will explore the science behind slime by mixing safe, non-toxic ingredients and discovering how polymers form through chemical reactions. This is more than just slime-making — it’s real science in action.
Young scientists will practice safe experimentation, make predictions, test ingredient variations, and observe how different mixtures change texture and behavior. Along the way, they’ll build foundational chemistry knowledge, strengthen observational skills, and learn how to think and work like a scientist — all while creating their own custom slime to explore and enjoy.
📍 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Instructions
The workshop will take place inside The Cove at Fivesparks (downstairs and to the left). For safety and to help protect the art exhibits upstairs: Caregivers must sign children out directly from the classroom. Please come to The Cove at pickup so we can dismiss your child safely.
🥪 Lunch & Snacks
Please pack: A nut-free lunch, and a nut-free snack, A water bottle
We’ll have dedicated snack and lunch breaks throughout the day.
Class starts at 1 PM but Hildreth students can be walked over to Fivesparks by instructors to have lunch at 12:30 PM at Fivesparks. CONTACT us for more details: naomi.ahuja@snapology.com
This school half-day workshop is appropriate for kids ages 5-12. $65/participant
Click HERE to register for this workshop.
_____________________________________________________________________
Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM programs worldwide. The organization’s goal is to provide children’s enrichment with STEAM learning programs that engage kids 4-14 years old with fun, hands-on activities to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math. While children are exploring robotics, coding and design challenges using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology, they’re building skills that will help them throughout school and their careers. To kids, it’s just fun!
Fivesparks is partnering with Snapology of Harvard, MA to bring these fun and educational programs to our community! Snapology of Harvard, MA is owned/operated by area parents whose family fell in love with Snapology’s methods and philosophies. So much so, they want to share them! You will find Snapology of Harvard, MA programs at Fivesparks, in local schools and community centers around the Metro-West area. https://www.snapology.com/massachusetts-harvard/

1/2 Day Felting
2026-04-08 12:45 - 14:30, 2026-04-15 12:45 - 14:30 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
1/2 days in Harvard
12:45-2:30
Drop in or join for multiple!
March 4th- Pika in Fivesparks Loft
April 8th- Bunny in Fivesparks Cove
April 15th- Duck in Fivesparks Loft
Open to 5th-8th graders
Learn the basics of needle felting while creating a variety of adorable felted projects.
$30 per class or get a reduced rate if you sign up for multiple 1/2 days at once.
For more information or to save your spot click the link below:
https://www.thefiberweb.com/shop/in-person/15

Evening Felting
2026-04-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-04-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Drop in or Join for multiple!
Wednesdays 6:30-8pm
Open to adults and teens but kids 8-12 are welcome to join with a parent
Learn the basics of needle felting while creating a variety of fun felting projects
3/4 – Painting with Wool- 5×7 Moon scene
4/8- Rabbit with Carrot
4/15- Painting with Wool- 5×7 Flower scene
For more info or to save your spot click the link below:
https://www.thefiberweb.com/shop/in-person/15

Bridges: Personal Narratives by Immigrant Youth
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Please join us at 6 pm on April 9th to hear from the writers and organizers of Bridges, a publication celebrating the writing and artwork of immigrant/refugee youth. The Bridges program launched in summer 2025 as a writing workshop and publication opportunity led by high school student and Harvard resident Lena Aloise, hosted by the International Institute of New England, and funded by the H.P. Dwight Internship Grant. Now, the print publication is being used to spread awareness about the work being done at IINE, the experience of young people learning English as a second language, and the importance of coming together as a community to support immigrants and refugees to the United States. We hope that you will take time out of your evening to appreciate and celebrate the stories of these incredibly talented young people.

Taiwan Mahjong for Beginners
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Fivesparks
Taiwan Mahjong is easy to learn and fun to play with friends. It is a four-player’s game but different than American version and doesn’t require to purchase a play card yearly. Once you know how, you can play with anyone. Let’s grab a friend and learn it together.
Meets on Saturday mornings 10:00am – 12:00pm: 3/28/2026, 4/11/2026, 4/18/2026, 4/25/2026 (no class on 4/04/2026)
$150 for 4 class series.
To sign up, please contact the instructor, Fay Childers at faychilders@gmail.com.

Last Day to View: Orchard Women of Harvard
2026-04-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 12-4pm
– This is the last day to view the photographs, artwork and history featured in the exhibit Orchard Women of Harvard.

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.

Birds!
2026-04-18 | Fivesparks
Fivesparks and the Boxborough Birders present BIRDS!, a curated art exhibition exploring and celebrating the wonder, beauty, and diversity of birds.

Featuring works that interpret the theme of BIRDS! that reflect not only birds themselves, but also their habits, homes, interactions, impacts, and traces. Come enjoy wonderful bird-themed artwork by local, regional and artists across the USA in a variety of mediums.

Participate in bird-themed programs, all during prime bird-watching, migratory season. You can see all the Birds! exhibit-related events HERE.

On view April 18 – May 30, 2026.

Opening Reception (free to all) on Saturday, April 18, 2026, 4-6pm.

Birds! Art Exhibit Reception
2026-04-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Fivesparks
Join us at Fivesparks in appreciating the magnificence of birds and the artists who celebrate them in their art.
Opening reception open to all, refreshments offered from 4:00-6:00pm.
Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Birds!
2026-04-19 - 2026-05-30 | Fivesparks
Fivesparks and the Boxborough Birders present BIRDS!, a curated art exhibition exploring and celebrating the wonder, beauty, and diversity of birds.

Featuring works that interpret the theme of BIRDS! that reflect not only birds themselves, but also their habits, homes, interactions, impacts, and traces. Come enjoy wonderful bird-themed artwork by local, regional and artists across the USA in a variety of mediums.

Participate in bird-themed programs, all during prime bird-watching, migratory season. You can see all the Birds! exhibit-related events HERE.

On view April 18 – May 30, 2026.

Snapology April Vacation Program - Snapology Favorites: Video Game Edition x Everyday Engineers: Vehicle Edition
2026-04-20 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-22 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-23 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 15:30 | Fivesparks Cove
Snapology April Vacation Program

Monday, Apr 20, 2026 — Friday, Apr 24, 2026 9am-3:30pm ET

Ages 6–12
Snapology Favorites: Video Game Edition x Everyday Engineers: Vehicle Edition
Full-Day & Half-Day Options | Ages 6-12
Get ready for an action-packed week of creativity, engineering, and hands-on fun! This April Vacation, students can join us for a half-day program or stay for the full-day experience featuring two of our most popular themes.

🎮 Morning Program: Snapology Favorites – Video Game Edition
Indulge your child’s love of video games — in real life! This hands-on, creative workshop is all about bringing favorite games off the screen and into the classroom using LEGO® bricks.
Each day features a new gaming-inspired adventure:

Roblox Day – Recreate favorite “obbies,” design 3D character skins, and invent LEGO-based Roblox-style games.
Fortnite Day – Build island scenes, detailed maps, and creative character skins.
Minecraft Day – Craft your own brick-built world, explore the Nether, and watch out for creepers!
Super Mario Day – Join Mario and Luigi for zany building challenges and imaginative level design.
Pokémon Day – “Catch,” build, and battle your favorite Pokémon characters.

Throughout the week, students will also enjoy mini-games and themed challenges inspired by these popular worlds.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is completely SCREEN-FREE and VIOLENCE-FREE. The focus is on characters, scenery, creativity, and collaborative play — no devices required!

🚗 Afternoon Program: Everyday Engineers – Vehicle Edition
In the afternoon, students shift gears and become engineers! Students will tackle exciting vehicle-themed engineering challenges that blend physics, creativity, and teamwork.
What Students Will Learn:
⚙️ Engineering & Physics Concepts
Students are introduced to real-world engineering and physics principles before building, allowing them to see their knowledge in action. Concepts come alive as they design and test their own vehicles.
🚀 Innovation & Ingenuity
Students will design and build vehicles that may have never been seen before! Using the Engineering Design Process, they’ll experiment, redesign, and innovate in a supportive, risk-friendly environment.
🧠 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Each challenge encourages students to think creatively, test ideas, troubleshoot, and refine their designs. We focus on developing 21st-century skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
🤝 Communication & Collaboration
Working in small groups and peer partnerships, students strengthen teamwork skills while learning how to respectfully share ideas and solve problems together.
Some lessons involve following structured instructions to understand key concepts, while others allow students to build fully original vehicle designs that meet specific challenge criteria.

Full-Day Experience
Enroll for the full day and enjoy the best of both worlds:
🎮 Creative video game-inspired building in the morning
🚗 Hands-on engineering and vehicle design in the afternoon
It’s the perfect combination of imagination and innovation!
Children will enjoy Supervised active indoor and/or outdoor movement breaks throughout the day to stay focused, energized, and engaged.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Instructions

The workshop will take place in the Cove (basement, to the right at the bottom of the stairs). For safety and to help protect the art exhibits upstairs: Caregivers must sign children in and out directly from the classroom. Please come to The Cove at pickup so we can dismiss your child safely.
Lunch & Snacks
Please pack: A nut-free lunch, Two nut-free snacks, A water bottle
We’ll have dedicated snack and lunch breaks throughout the day.

Click HERE to register for Full day, 9:00am – 3:30pm | $450
Click HERE to register for Morning Only Half-Day, 9:00am-12:00pm | $250
Click HERE to register for Afternoon Only Half-Day, 12:30pm-3:00pm | $250
_____________________________________________________________________
Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM programs worldwide. The organization’s goal is to provide children’s enrichment with STEAM learning programs that engage kids 4-14 years old with fun, hands-on activities to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math. While children are exploring robotics, coding and design challenges using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology, they’re building skills that will help them throughout school and their careers. To kids, it’s just fun!
Fivesparks is partnering with Snapology of Harvard, MA to bring these fun and educational programs to our community! Snapology of Harvard, MA is owned/operated by area parents whose family fell in love with Snapology’s methods and philosophies. So much so, they want to share them! You will find Snapology of Harvard, MA programs at Fivesparks, in local schools and community centers around the Metro-West area. https://www.snapology.com/massachusetts-harvard/

Adult Improv Workshop
2026-04-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Improv is the act of making up a scene, plot, characters and dialogue spontaneously without preparation. Actors work together to create a scene, often based off a suggestion from the audience, without rehearsal or discussion beforehand. Studying improv involves a “retraining” of the brain to learn to work in the moment, accept ideas from a team member and allow the creativity to flow and create something marvelous. Because improv is done “in the moment” it often takes a silly or wacky turn, and there’s plenty of laughing! When you create improv scenes, you never know where the mind will take you. This improvisation workshop is designed to challenge and inspire participants to stretch their brains and limits. A great class for both the seasoned performer and those new to the world of theatre who are looking to try it out.
3 workshops will be held. One each in April, May, and June (4/20/2026, 5/18/2026, & 6/8/2026). There is no fee for the workshops, however registration is required. See below for registration link.

This class is being offered free of charge to participants through a generous grant from the Harvard Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
REGISTER FOR ONE OR MORE SESSIONS HERE

Birds! Exhibit Event: Book Club with the Boxborough Birders
2026-04-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Fivesparks
We’re excited to invite you to join the Boxborough Birders Birding Book Club for their first meeting at Fivesparks as part of the exciting Birds! exhibit!
The Boxborough Birders Birding Book Club carries the theme of Birds and Birding books. For this special meeting, the book to discuss is The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan.
This is not only a book about birding but also a reflection on human experience and the beauty of nature. It encourages readers to observe and appreciate the world around them, even in the most mundane and seemingly uninteresting aspects.
The book’s themes and content can lead to engaging discussions about the following questions:

How do you approach birding and nature observation? What makes it enjoyable and meaningful to you?
What personal experiences have you had with birds? How have they impacted your life?
How do you think the book’s themes of curiosity, observation, and connection to nature can be applied in your
daily life?
What are some of the most significant bird memories you have? How do they relate to your life and experiences?
How can birding help you understand and appreciate the natural world and its inhabitants?

These discussion questions can help readers connect with the book’s themes and deepen their understanding of the impact of birding on their lives and the world around them.
This event is FREE to attend, but please register HERE so we can plan accordingly.
The Birds! curated art exhibit as well as the corresponding bird-related events and programs were planned in partnership with the Boxborough Birders Group.
Tuesday, April 28th, 6pm.

Slime Time with Miss Lisa
2026-04-29 15:45 - 17:00 | Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass Ave, Har vard, MA, 01451, United States
Join Miss Lisa for a fun, hands-on slime club where kids will learn how to make a different type of slime each week!
Participants will mix their own slime and customize it with fun add-ins like glitter, sequins, and foam beads. Each session includes time for slime play, creativity, and cleanup, and kids will take their slime creations home with them after class.
Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 3:45–5:00 PM, at Hildreth Elementary School beginning April 29 for 6 weeks.
Cost: $120 per child for entire 6 class session. Ages 5 and over.
Click HERE to register for Slime Time with Miss Lisa

Birds! Exhibit Event: Guided Bird Walk with the Boxborough Birders at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
2026-05-02 08:00 - 10:00
Saturday, May 2
8:00-10:00 AM
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Join the Boxborough Birders Group for a guided bird walk through the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge.
Oxbow NWR is located along the Nashua River and provides a diverse habitat of wetland,
upland forest, and old farm fields that support a wide variety of migratory and nesting birds.
We will be looking and listening for warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers, thrushes, and many more.
The main trail is fairly flat but can be wet, so hiking boots are recommended.
Meeting place & Parking: We will meet at the parking area at the end of Still River Depot Road, off Route 110 in Harvard.
Still River Depot Road leads you down a hill, over railroad tracks and right into the refuge
parking area.
Use this LINK for directions.
Leader: Liz Markiewicz
How to join: Please contact Liz Markiewicz (lizmarkiewicz78@gmail.com) to receive up-to-date communication for this event. You don’t need to be a member of Boxborough Birders to join, and the walk is free!
The Birds! curated art exhibit as well as the corresponding bird-related events and programs were planned in partnership with the Boxborough Birders Group.

Birds! Exhibit Event: Feathers Not Just For Flying Children's Book Illustrator Reading & Activity
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Illustrator reading and book-signing
A nature journaling activity expands the Birds! art exhibition

Author and illustrator Sarah S. Brannen reads her award-winning book Feathers: Not Just for Flying and talks about the process of illustrating it.

“Young naturalists meet sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many different and surprising ways birds use their feathers – they’re not just for flying! Curious readers are invited to explore informative sidebars and the scrapbook design showcases life-size feather illustrations.”

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. A nature journaling activity follows: kids can learn how to draw and study birds and feathers. Each child will get their own journal to take home, and pencils will be available; feel free to bring along colored pencils or crayons as well.

Sarah has written and illustrated over two dozen books for children. She illustrated the ALA Sibert honor-winning book Summertime Sleepers and the brand-new book Monarch and Mourning Cloak: A Butterfly Journal, written by Melissa Stewart.

Book talk and nature journaling activity are appropriate for kids 5 years+.

Saturday, May 2, 10-11:30am. $10/child or $20 for families with 3 or more children/family. It’s best for younger kids to attend with a caregiver. Books will be available for purchase and signing. New version also available in Spanish!

REGISTER HERE

This workshop is being offered as part of the Birds! exhibit on view at Fivesparks from April 18 – May 30, 2026.

The Birds! curated art exhibit as well as the corresponding bird-related events and programs were planned in partnership with the Boxborough Birders Group.
