Latest Event News
We have many art classes to offer!
See the descriptions below or download a schedule of upcoming classes.
Greeting Card Class
Moon Cats
Old Murdock School (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Join us in having Fun & Laughs creating your own card.
Each month, Merrily will have you making a different card. Register now to find out what this month’s card will be. Everyone’s card will be unique in their own way. You may add any text you want on your card to add a personal touch. Free creative class!
Everyone is invited to attend. There is limited seating, Sign up now! Instructor: Merrily Varone. Includes card, envelope and materials.
Next class: Thursday, October 17, 10:00am-12:00pm
Two ways to register:
- Register with GALA
- Call Meghan to Register 603-313-3806 (If you are a senior, in Winchendon and Need Help with Cost or Transportation, call Senior Center at 978-297- 3155)
Zentangle Class
“Let’s Tangle”
Old Murdock School (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
We will teach you the basics and several patterns that you see above. Work at your own pace. No experience necessary. You will practice on quality paper and using quality pens. Art that anyone can do right from the start, it has been called yoga for the mind being a very thoughtful art form simply using pen, multi media paper and your design ideas based on patterns taught in class. You will then be able to take home paper and pen to practice and bring back your own design at the next class. With Zentangle, you can be very creative with your own designs.
Class $15 Includes All Materials
The public is invited. There is LIMITED SEATING. Instructor: Martha Totten.
Saturday, October 17, 1:00pm3:00pm
Two ways to Register:
- Register with GALA
- Call Meghan to Register 603-313-3806 (If you are a senior, in Winchendon and Need Help with Cost or Transportation, call Senior Center at 978-297- 3155)
Autumn’s Plein Air Gathering & Luncheon
Mel Haughton’s Farmstead, 95 Baldwin Hill Road, Phillipston MA
A lovely country luncheon will be provided
Saturday, October 12th, 2024
RSVP by October 1st, by emailing Colleen.
Come celebrate the day, explore Mel’s farm and enjoy a Country Lunch with other artists. The farmstead is surrounded by flowers, a barn, antique car and truck, a cabin with a view of New Hampshire mountains, a pond across the road, an old cemetery on the outskirts of the land.
Those Students who had taken Louise’s Plein-Air Workshop and Susan’s Watercolor class may want to join us on this fall day. This is your chance to do some local plein-air. Those of you that missed Louise’s plein-air class due to rain-date, you may come to this event. You may meet Louise at 10:30 at the top of hill at the cabin and she will teach you a quick 15 minute get started approach. We can provide the gouache materials. You must let Deb know if you plan to attend: Debgiordano59@comcast.net.
You must RSVP for this Plein Air because we need the count of how many will be staying for a wonderful country lunch. Everyone is invited to participate. No cost to attend.
Come visit on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. A wonderful lunch will be served at 12 Noon which is included. Rain date: Oct 13th.
Come and join your fellow artists for painting, drawing, photography, or any portable medium in the fresh air. Then come to GALA’s next art critique in October and share your finished pieces.
Playing with Watercolors
The Techniques: Series 3
Old Murdock School (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Focused toward the beginning watercolor student, this short course will cover some techniques, hints and tips that are used by watercolor artists. Topics such as how to begin, and what sequence to develop a successful sketch will be covered. If you’ve ever started a watercolor, only to have it go badly, or if you’re wondering how is that done without making a mess?—come join us! Attending the two previous classes will be very helpful but not required. No experience necessary; supplies to participate are provided!
The instructor will share the most common techniques and tips so you can enjoy confidence in building your approach in a thoughtful and practical way. You may be surprised how easy this can be! We’ll lead you in keeping colors clean, wet-in-wet techniques, planning for leaving whites, and walk through some hints for drybrush. The basics of techniques, along with hands-on how to approaches in layering colors will help us to create some stunning still life fruit and veggie paintings.
Class – $30, includes all materials
The public is invited. There is limited seating. Instructor: Susan Burdsall.
Saturday, October 19, 10:00am-1:30pm
This is the last of the series. You can absolutely take the 3rd class if you did not take the 1st and 2nd class. There is so much to learn about watercolors.
Two ways to Register:
- Register with GALA
- Call Meghan to Register 603-313-3806 (If you are a senior, in Winchendon and Need Help with Cost or Transportation, call Senior Center at 978-297- 3155)
The Secret Life of the Black Bear
Narrated Slide Presentation by well-known Nature Photographer and Artist Bill Fournier
Old Murdock Building (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon (Take Elevator to the 2nd Floor Auditorium)
Black bears symbolize true wilderness. They survive by stealth. Their jet black coat enables them to hide in the dark shadows of the deep forest, rarely seen. Bears possess tremendous physical strength and speed. Generally shy and secretive in nature, they go out of their way to avoid confrontations with humans. However, on rare occasions they can be extremely dangerous, confronting humans. If you were ever to be confronted, do you know the difference between defensive attacks and predatory attacks, or how to de-escalate the situation?
Bill Fournier’s stories and photos of his life in the woods, getting to know the bears and moose are captivating. You will never think of the black bear in New England the same way after his presentation. Bill will also have his paintings on display for sale of bear, moose and deer.
Class is $15. Everyone is invited to attend. There is LIMITED SEATING, sign up now! Instructor: Deb and Meghan
Friday, November 1
Reception: 6-7:00pm (Light Refreshments Served)
Program: 7-8:00pm
Two ways to Register:
- Register with GALA
- Purchase your $5 ticket at the door at the day of event.
This is a fundraiser to help GALA & the COA
Holiday Bisque Painting Class: Tree Ornaments
Old Murdock Building (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Come join us. You have a choice in painting (glazing) an ornament for your Christmas tree. Choose between Hoolio Owl or the Retro Finial Ornament. Paint them any way you want, make your own design and add your own custom text. We will then fire your ornaments and get them back to you before Christmas.
Class is $15. Everyone is invited to attend. There is LIMITED SEATING, sign up now! Instructor: Deb and Meghan
Saturday, Nov 2 and Thursday, Nov 7, 10 AM – 12 PM
Two ways to Register:
- Register with GALA
- Call Meghan to Register 603-313-3806 (If you are a senior, in Winchendon and Need Help with Cost or Transportation, call Senior Center at 978-297- 3155)
Bottle Collage (Mixed Media)
Old Murdock Building (COA), 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
This is a creative mixed media class. No experience needed.
Each student will be provided with a recycled bottle that they will then use multiple different materials to decorate, such as: metallic paint, leaves, pieces of torn paper, and more.
Take them home to put on display, or use as a great holiday gift.
Class is $40,includes all materials. Everyone is invited to attend. There is limited seating, sign up now! Instructor: Iphigenia (“Iphie”) Burg
We have two available dates: Friday, December 6th, 2-4:00pm and Saturday, December 14th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Two ways to Register:
- Register with GALA
- Call Meghan to Register 603-313-3806 (If you are a senior, in Winchendon and Need Help with Cost or Transportation, call Senior Center at 978-297- 3155)
Teen Explorations 2025: Drawing & Painting
Plan for After School and Vacation Times
Teens will explore different ways of drawing and painting, from realistic to abstract. Projects include a simple still-life, landscapes, self-portraits, drawing or painting from photos, and an intro to abstract art. They will learn basic drawing and painting techniques and get the chance to experiment with a variety of materials.
Instructor: Joanne Stowell (Joanne is an experienced instructor and an award artist)
This is a 6 week series. Students must sign up for the whole series. Classes are 2 hours on Wednesdays, 4PM-6PM.
Located at the Old Murdock School, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
- Week 1, January 8 Intro to Pencil & Charcoal / Still Life Drawing
- Week 2, January 15 Intro to Acrylic /Color Wheel/ Student choice painting from photos
- Week 3, January 22 Intro to Watercolor / Landscape Painting
- Week 4, January 29 Intro to Self-Portraits / Student choice medium
- Week 5, February 5 Intro to Abstract Art/ Mixed Media
- Week 6, February 12 Intro to OP Art / Student choice medium
$150 for a series of 6 Weeks
Each student will receive a Sketching Pad and a Charcoal Set to use throughout the series to keep and bring home to work in.
Art Critiques
- Saturday, October 26th, 10 AM – 12:30 PM
- Saturday, November 16th, 10 AM – 12:30 PM
All dates will be at the Old Murdock School, 52 Murdock Avenue, Winchendon MA. Enter the side door, on the 1st floor take the elevator that is to your right to the 3rd floor.
You may bring snacks to share with the group.
Bring up to 2 pieces of your artwork (finished or unfinished) to share with the group & bring your finished Mystery Art Challenge piece if you completed one. You may bring your art challenge piece to share at any future critique.
The first 15 minutes we will be networking, then we will go into discussing our artwork. You may attend even though you didn’t bring any artwork, feel free to join us.
Free to all GALA members. New artists, first 2 classes are free.
A great way to receive heartfelt feedback from your circle of artists friends.
Janet Dupuis will help guide us during our get together. Mark your calendar!
Email Janet to let her know that you will be joining us at Jandu516@gmail.com
Calling All Guitar & Piano Teachers and Students
GALA is looking for guitar and piano teachers to provide private lessons to students. Lessons will be held at the Old Murdock School in Winchendon.
Students may be of any age or level of experience. If you are interested in teaching, or would like to have lessons, please fill out this online form and provide your information.
For more info: info@galagardner.org
Winchendon Mural Project
GALA has collaborated with the town of Winchendon and HEAL to work on beautifying their town by helping with community art murals to place around the community. GALA had received a grant from the Winchendon Cultural Council to help with this project working with children and adults in the Winchendon community.
Teachers Needed
We are seeking art teachers to teach adults and teenagers painting with acrylic, oils and watercolors in an after school program, either during the week or on the weekends. Please email debgiordano59@comcast.net for more information.
GALA Needs Your Help to support arts & culture in Central New England. More Info
GALA Musicians Page: Musicians, please take our survey to tell us how we can support you as an artist.