On Thursday, August 18, Winchester residents have a special opportunity to see and meet local artists. Meet-the-artist receptions will take place at five locations around town, featuring seven different artists: fabric artists Sue Clark, Denise Konicek and Kiyomi Yatsuhashi; jewelry maker Wendy Jo New, painter and jewelry maker Teri Coté, and painters Michiko Katsumi and Lucia Rubini. All receptions are from 6–8 p.m.

These artist receptions, part of Art in August 2022, are where you can learn more about the artists, ask about their work see more of what they have to offer. Refreshments will be served. Come and have a cultural evening downtown!

Come out and see some art in Winchester—and meet the artist—on Thursday, August 11 from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Comellas Winchester, 529 Main Street. These artist receptions, part of of Art in August 2022, are where you can learn more about the artists, ask about their work see more of what they have to offer. Refreshments will be served.

On August 11, come meet Beck Fischbach. Beck is a Winchester native born in 1991. He has always had an interest in the arts and has found himself experimenting with different mediums of expression throughout his life.

He studied photography in high school and college, did costume creation and design along with prop making for his cosplay hobby, created abstract metal structures from recycled materials, sugar sculpting, resin art, and most recently abstract acrylic flow paintings.

All are invited to the gala reception to inaugurate Winchester's 20th annual Art in August festival, held at the Griffin Museum of Photography, 67 Shore Road, on Thursday, August 4, 2022, from 7–8:30 p.m.

All are invited, free admission.Wine and light appetizers will be served.

RSVP appreciated, to info@winchesterculturalcouncil.org

Come meet the artists who are exhibiting in locations throughout the town, the merchants who generously donate space in their shops and windows, state and town leaders, Winchester Cultural Council members,  Cultural District Partnership members, and local grant recipients, as well as other town residents and business owners.

Come hear the free summer concert series on the Winchester  Common, every Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by the Winchester Cultural Council and well as by individual donations, and are organized by Winchester Recreation.

Schedule:

• June 29: Riverboat Stompers—New Orleans Style and Swing Jazz
• July 6: Elijah T Grasshoppers—Music for Children and Families
• July 13: Jagged Image—Soft Rock Classics
• July 20: Beantown Buckaroos—Classic Western Swing & Country
• July 27: Blue Dogs—Blues Band Rock 'n Roll
• August 3: Perfect Crime—The Best of '60s, '70s, and '80s
• August 10: Classic Groove—Soft Rock Cover Band

See you on the Common this summer!

The Winchester  Cultural Council has announced the awarding of nearly $12,000 in grants for 2022 to 14 individuals and organizations. The awards represent the largest total giving by the WCC in well over 20 years.

Grant funding was again strong thanks in part to a continuing commitment to the arts from the town of Winchester in the past year's budget: four grants were made solely using town funding. The funded projects celebrate and strengthen our community through culture and the arts, a need that has grown each year with the continued disruptions of COVID and of the impending massive construction project in the business district.

Grant projects and recipients are:

The Winchester Cultural Council announces a new year-round program of small grants ($50 to $300). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Decisions are normally made within four weeks of the application being filed, and funding can be received shortly thereafter. A micro grant could be suitable for a small art project, performance, or speaker, or to help fund an event that takes advantage of a time-sensitive opportunity that arises during the year.

Microgrants are open to all Winchester residents and Winchester-based organizations; funded projects must benefit the public, just like the annual Mass Cultural Council-funded grants. Full rules and a link to the application are on the Microgrant Information Page.

Note that grants are offered subject to funding availability, which might change during the year.

 

The Winchester Cultural Council has awarded $9,745 in LCC grants to 13 individuals and organizations for 2021. Disruptions due to COVID-19 delayed this year's grant cycle; grant decisions were not finalized until March 1, 2021. Grant funding was again strong thanks in part to a continuing commitment to the arts from the town of Winchester in the 2020–2021 budget. The funded projects celebrate and strengthen our community through culture and the arts.

The Winchester Cultural Council is in need of new members for the coming year. Cultural Council members are volunteers who are appointed by the town's Select Board; love of the arts is important, but no special skills are required. The Council meets monthly, gives cultural grants annually, and provides many opportunities to enrich our town. To apply, send a letter stating your interest to the Select Board at Town Hall.