The Creative Community Initiative brings us back to the basics — art and culture.
What does this Initiative do?
Through the Creative Community Initiative, the Amesbury Cultural Council’s commitment to creative innovation and imagination will thrive, fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem.
Housed in our newly renovated Cultural Center, the Creative Community Initiative will offer free and accessible programming to all.
Built to GROW, this Initiative started as a tiny seed of creativity, which through ideation and determination has just started to bloom. We can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve throughout the seasons.
The Three Pillars
Creative Community Education Series
The Creative Community Education Series consists of free and accessible workshops, panels, discussions, classes, and MORE, that focus on cultivation of arts + culture in Amesbury and beyond.
Art Exhibitions + Showcases
Thanks to our newly installed hanging system, our space will be transformed into a stunning gallery. Available for both rental showcases and ACC curated exhibitions.
Community Socials
We’re emphasizing the art of community. From quarterly mixers, festivals, and beyond, this space is designed for our community to come together and network, celebrate, and shine.
A rotational critique lead by our local studios, this time lead by Artists’ Muse Studio!
As artists, we are alone with our projects so much of the time. It can be very helpful to share our work and thoughts with a supportive group of creatives -- to expand on our ideas or just get a nod of affirmation.
We will have time for 8 artists to share -- please sign up! Sharing artists should be prepared to participate in each fellow artists' critique.
Anyone can join as part of the collective group! Signing up helps us be prepared but last minute joining is okay!
Artists please arrive at 5:45 to hang/set-up.
Questions may be directed to Tasha Cough, fancypaints@gmail.com
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-art-critique-tickets-1998377667398?aff=oddtdtcreator
Gathering: A Community Exhibition
$0.00
Artists are invited to submit 2D work that explores the creative theme of “Gathering”. We welcome interpretations that are personal, social, cultural, environmental, or imaginative. Work might consider community + connection, family + friendship, collective memory, place, belonging, celebration, or what brings—and keeps—us together.
Location: Amesbury Cultural Center, 37 Millyard
The following types of 2D art will be considered:
Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and mixed media
Textile and fiber art
Digital art (AI-generated work is prohibited)
As a community art show, participants will be expected to contribute to + attend the Friday 10/23 evening reception and staff a gallery-sitting shift on either Saturday 10/24 or Sunday 10/25.
Important Dates:
Exhibition: October 23 – 29, 2026
Reception: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 from 6-8pm
Submission Deadline: Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026
Artists will be notified by: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
There is no charge to submit artwork for consideration or to participate.
_________
For submission of artwork, please prepare your files in advance of using the Submission Form: Rename your files with your last name, the number of the submission (1, 2, or 3) and an abbreviated title. Image files, pdf, and documents are acceptable, no larger than 5 mb.
Lastname#title
example: Jones1myhouse or Jones2sunrise
