Latest Event News
Art Classes and Workshops
We offer various art classes, workshops, and events, as well as some craft activities. Anyone may register.
Gaming Club
GALA Art Center
2nd Floor in the Art Gallery Room
Old Murdock Building, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Join us for bi-weekly or monthly get-togethers to play games. This club is NEW and we would love to hear from you as to what type of games you are interested in. There is comfortable space to play more than one type of game in the art gallery.
Would you love to spend a fun friendly evening playing games? Play some of the latest designer board or classic games and unwind in a relaxing atmosphere. Are you interested in board, card, or dice games? Do you have a specific game you would like to play; share or teach?
Whether you’re looking to try something new, a seasoned gamer, we welcome ALL levels of experience and comfort. No worries, we will teach you, there are no cliques.
Board games have changed over the years, from older games like Monopoly and Risk to many different themes and styles that appeal to all kinds of players. There are strategy games, cooperative games, party games and many more. There are games that are simple and quick to learn and games that can take 30 minutes, 60 minutes or several hours.
All games can be found at boardgamegeek.com where there are short summaries, videos on how to play and much more. Some beginners or gateway games include “Carcassonne”, “Ticket to Ride” and SCOUT.
If you are interested in a social gathering and try some games, let us know by filling out our brief questionnaire. The Link is below and we will get back to you so we may set a date to kick this off. All games will be supplied and taught before playing.
Come game with Us! Everyone is welcome.
Gaming Coordinator: John Totten. If you have any questions, email John at Johnboardgames@protonmail.com
Bi-Weekly/Monthly
Time/Place = TBD
We offer coffee, tea. You may bring and share food.
Please take this brief questionnaire, so we may gather information on what you are looking for.
Bowling Pin Art – Pins For Possibilities
Grab your bowling pin and create a piece of art!
This Call for Entries is open to everyone 15 years of age and above. This is a fundraiser project. Proceeds will go towards GALA’s art programming and to purchase new bowling shoes for the HUB’s new revitalized bowling alley.
If you are interested, please register online to receive a pin and start working on your art piece. There are no rules for turning your pin into an amazing piece of art!
You will donate your finished art piece back to GALA. There is no cost to enter. Check out the Registration Form for more details.
The pin artworks will be judged in special categories, ribbons will be awarded and pins will be auctioned off.
We will have a spectacular evening event that includes a Pin Art Silent Auction, awards, live music, food, drink, bowling, raffle baskets.
We will be displaying your pins two weeks prior to the main event at the HUB (bowling alley). This will allow the public to be able to admire your art pieces and participate in the silent auction.
There are 12 ribbon art categories the judges will award. Award ribbons will be announced at the main event and placed next to their pins.
The 12 ribbon categories are: Nature, Most Original, Funniest, Scariest, Pet Inspired, Animals, Realism, Pop Art, Expressionism, Abstract, Historical, Sports.
Pins for Possibility is a community-building fundraising and arts engagement initiative designed to strengthen volunteerism, expand community participation, and increase access to arts and recreation opportunities in Winchendon.
Since purchasing and revitalizing the formerly abandoned bowling alley in 2023, the Winchendon CAC has transformed The HUB into a vibrant community center serving many residents each month through youth leadership initiatives, makerspace programming, art programs, workforce development, afterschool enrichment, and free community events.
The facility still relies on very old, heavily worn bowling shoes inherited with the original lanes. Now let’s all get together and get them some new shoes!
This project intentionally brings together people from all communities, different ages, backgrounds, and abilities in a joyful, welcoming environment centered on creativity, service, and community pride.
Important Dates and Times to Remember
Deadline to Register: Sunday, September 6
Pickup your bowling pin starting July 31, at the GALA Art Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon. We will call you to make arrangements for you to pick up your pin.
Drop-Off: Sunday, September 13, 2 – 4pm at the GALA Art Center, 52 Murdock Ave.
Main Event, Open Reception: Thursday, October 8, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Membership Potluck Dinner
GALA Art Center
Dining Hall, 1st Floor
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
As an appreciation in being loyal members, you are cordially invited to our membership Potluck Dinner. RSVP to let us know you will be joining us, and what type of food you would like to share. Join us in meeting old and new artist members, friends and listen to beautiful live music.
A special performance by Eddy Troxler and Denise Dayton
Sunday, September 27
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Community Social Art Circle
Old Murdock Building (COA)
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Do you need a day and space to spend some time to work on your project or simply invite your friends to an afternoon or evening of conversation and creativity? Explore a variety of art in a supportive social environment. A group with different skill levels who wish to learn, explore, laugh, share, connect, and be inspired. A safe, low key, non-intimidating space. Non-makers are also welcomed. No fee!
Open to ages 15 and above
Self-led group—there will be classroom monitors who will assist you.
Spend a few hours to be a part of our social art gathering with artists, friends and seniors! Share your project and make new friends.
Afternoons: 1st Tuesday of every month, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
You may bring your own artwork or craft project and supplies that you are working on. We do have a community art supply area where you may choose something you would like to try. We supply paints, paper, brushes and other supplies.
Note: We are looking for volunteer classroom monitors—monitors can take part in creating. If you are interested, email debgiordano59@comcast.net
In Partnership with the Council on Aging
Greeting Card Class – Paper Projects!
GALA Art Center
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Come join us in creating cards, and other paper projects. Work on making it your own.
All materials are included and many materials to choose from. Each month is always a different design.
Anyone of all ages is welcomed. No experience needed. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what you can come up with! Don’t rule anything out! BE PREPARED TO “PLAY”.
Free creative class! Everyone is invited to attend. Sign up now!
(Sponsored in part by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation)
Instructor: Merrily Varone Includes all materials.
Next class: Thursday, August 20, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Upcoming classes on September 17, October 22, November 12, December 3
Scratchboard Workshop
Old Murdock School
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
A Fun Filled Day of Scratching!
This 6-hour one-day workshop will provide an introduction to scratchboard materials, tools and techniques. We will explore scratchboard mark-making methods using a variety of tools, learn how to create different values, textures, and then plan and execute a scratchboard composition drawing. There are many tools used in this medium and Joe will explain how to use them all.
NOTE: Joe will be giving a FREE Scratchboard Demonstration that you will not want to miss. Are you curious about this relatively new medium? You may want to watch this live demonstration before you take Joe’s workshop or just come and be curious about the process. Thursday, October 8th, 6 – 8 pm in the Art Gallery. It will be shown on the large TV screen.
All materials are included. No experience needed.
Bring your lunch, we can also place a pizza order. Bring some tight surgical gloves, small brush or cloth to keep things clean.
$85 Workshop (6 hours)
Instructor: Joe Smith
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Special Watercolor Series
All levels from beginners through advanced students are welcome. Work at your own pace. Bring a friend and enjoy the afternoons with these relaxed, low-key fun workshops.
GALA Art Center, Old Murdock, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
This is a 4-week Series, Special 4-hour Workshops
You may sign-up for individual classes or take the SPECIAL PRICE DEAL for all 4 workshops.
3rd Workshop: Explorations-Stage 2 Saturday, August 8, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting to Intermediate and Advanced Students, any age: Watercolor paints, by nature, are transparent; but have you struggled to express or mix your neutrals as it pertains to the whole composition? Problems with a background, or with harmonious colors? Want to make sure that your choice of palette will “pop”? We’ll learn together how to make our neutrals work for our composition; how to use and evaluate the choices of “out of tube” greys and make it valuable to each individual expression. Emphasis will be on color wheel and understanding complementary colors, triads, splits.
4th Workshop: Explorations-Stage 3 Saturday, August 22, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting to Intermediate and Advanced Students, any age: If you’re up to achieving the ultimate challenge and freeing yourself as an artist, then please come play with us for our “Stage Four” in watercolor paints! We’ll be working on challenging watercolor collaboration pieces, executed by all in the class; outcomes will be “to be determined”. Do you love a challenge, and might you be able to live with the outcomes? Watercolor explorations, the use of abstract and composition techniques, use of textures and knowledge of pigments will be tested in this team-inspired challenge! Very large format papers, very expressive painting techniques? Bring your very best to contribute to these paintings and have a blast of fun in the process!! We’re truly living and experiencing “outside of the box” in our joint ventures.
Workshop Series – $150
Or register for individual classes for $45 each
Includes all materials (you may bring your own). All ages over 15 are invited. There is limited seating. Light refreshments, coffee, and tea is available. You may bring and share food with the class if you wish.
Instructor: Susan Burdsall
We have 4 workshop Dates:
Saturdays, 12-4:00pm
July 11, July 25, Aug 8, Aug 22
This workshop is partly funded by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation
Art Critiques
Saturday, August 8, October 3,
10:00am-1:00pm
Old Murdock Building, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon MA
We will be holding the critique in the Gallery on the 1st floor
Are you looking for encouragement and support from other artists?
Bring up to 2 pieces of your artwork (finished or unfinished) to share with your circle of artist friends. The first 15 minutes we will be social time, then we will go into sharing our artwork. You may bring snacks to share with the group.
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 time together. Mark your calendar!
Email Janet to let her know that you will be joining us at Jandu516@gmail.com