The New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office will open Bristol County: Incarcerated on Oct. 24. The exhibit traces the history of local incarceration from the 18th-century jail in Taunton to New Bedford’s Ash Street Jail. The Ash Street facility is the oldest continuously operating jail in the nation. Artifacts include the […]
Local food pantries need help building supplies as SNAP benefits change. Reggae on West Beach (ROWB) is organizing a food and baby item drive for area families in need. Businesses are asked to host donation boxes provided and maintained by ROWB. Boxes will be picked up monthly or sooner if full. The business with the […]
Ahab’s Head: American Vengeance opens December 13 at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The new installation is by Boston artist and sculptor Heidi Whitman. It is an immersive look at obsession, power, and the American whaling story. Whitman is known for intricate “mental maps” that explore emotion, memory, and place. She applies that style to […]
See the faces of 19th-century America in a new special exhibition opening Jan. 16, 2026. "Look Pleasant, Please: Early Portrait Photography in New Bedford," explores portrait photography in a growing and diverse coastal city. Images highlight the changing relationship between photographer and sitter in a complex urban economy. Featured works include one of the last […]
ArtWeek SouthCoast is back May 8 to 17, 2026, with events planned across southeastern Massachusetts. The festival website is live, and event submissions are open at artweeksouthcoast.org. Artists, cultural organizations, municipalities, local businesses, and community groups may submit events for inclusion in the 2026 schedule. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. This regional arts […]
March 12 to May 31, 2026$10 adults. $7 seniors and students. This exhibition features contemporary Mexican artists exploring freedom of expression, history, and social justice. Work spans sculpture, installation, performance documentation, textiles, and printmaking. Artists reflect on Indigenous knowledge, collective memory, and present-day social issues. Jacobo and María Ángeles, master wood carvers from Oaxaca, present […]
Gallery X is seeking submissions for “Soul Clap,” a juried multimedia exhibition focused on the sound and cultural impact of Black music. The show highlights musical traditions of the African Diaspora, from West African rhythms to jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and house, and invites work that reflects themes of community, resistance, and joy. Artists may submit […]
Westport Art Group opened a call for artists for its Spring Show, themed “Journeys.” Online registration is available on its website. The show is open to members and nonmembers. The theme is broadly interpreted and may reflect travel, personal growth, creative process, or cultural and emotional experiences. Exhibition runs April 23 through May 10. David […]
Gallery X seeks submissions for “Queer Futures,” a Pride Month exhibition exploring visions of the future. Themes include utopia, queer sci-fi, solarpunk, Afro and Indigenous Futurism, and personal hopes. Broad interpretations are welcome. Artists of all backgrounds may submit, with encouragement for queer and BIPOC artists. Submissions are free. The show runs May 6 through […]
Adriance Furnituremakers highlights work by local artisans in the Showroom Gallery. Each piece shows the maker’s style. Each one brings character to the space. John Magnan shifted to art after an early retirement from a technical career. The change led to studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Magnan later earned an MFA in […]
Mass 2-1-1 and Lyft have teamed up to offer Relief Rides, a limited free transportation program for eligible individuals without access to other local options. Rides are available for critical non-emergency needs such as food access, short-term work transportation, and medical or mental health appointments. The service is open to qualified residents in Fall River […]
A reminder that flu and COVID cases rise during this season. Vaccines help protect families and reduce severe illness. Residents can schedule appointments through state vaccination sites or local providers. Information is available at mass.gov/seasonal-vaccines.
Gardeners in Dartmouth have a new reason to visit the stacks. Dartmouth Public Library will launch a free Seed Library on March 2 at both branches. Limited seed packets will be available to help residents get the growing season started. The program encourages gardening, sustainability, and local food production. Participants can take seeds, grow plants, […]
Rick Paulus, former chief calligrapher at the White House, leads a monoline class beginning March 10 at the Westport Art Group. Focus centers on the expressive monoline letter and its roots in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and modern design. Color and play drive the work. Materials include watercolor, gouache, masking fluid, and inks. Beginners are […]
A weekly Wellness Workshop meets on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. at Beyond House Young Adult Access Center. The conversation centers on the eight dimensions of wellness and the practical ways they shape daily life. Sessions are presented by the Beyond House and Massachusetts Young People in Recovery. More information is available on Facebook at MAYoungPeopleinRecovery […]
Students of every level are welcome in this class, which covers all aspects of the ceramics process. The group will practice throwing techniques, work with larger amounts of clay, and shape thinner, taller forms. Instruction also covers attachments such as handles, including pulling handles directly from the side of the cup. Focus centers on tableware […]
The next New Bedford Science Café will meet on Tuesday, April 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Last Round Bar & Grille. Deborah Gordon will discuss “The Escape Artist: Methane and New Tools to Detect the Super-Potent Climate Pollutant.” Gordon leads the Oil & Gas Solutions Initiative for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Climate Intelligence […]
Bayside hosts Eddie’s Crazy Music Bingo every Tuesday night from 7–9 p.m.
Dive deep into the groove with FROM the UNDERGROUND, the high-voltage weekly radio show from WAMPTRONICA, bringing you the best in underground House Music, Rare Groove, and Afrobeat every Tuesday night at 8 PM on WNB One Radio. Expect deep cuts, soulful classics, banging remixes, and exclusive originals—all curated to move your body and elevate […]
Mike Doughty is an American singer, songwriter, and author best known as the founder and front man of Soul Coughing. This year, Mike Doughty returns to the stage for a solo tour, presenting stripped-down, intimate performances that span his Soul Coughing legacy and prolific solo work, reaffirming his place as one of alternative music’s most […]
Oversoul Theatre Collective Inc., in partnership with 3rd Eye Unlimited, is reviving community-based Black theater in New Bedford through Griot’s Corner, a weekly workshop led by playwright and arts educator Mwalim. Actors, spoken-word artists, musicians, and dancers from the city’s Black and Brown communities are invited to help form a new ensemble centered on cultural […]
Mercy Meals & More is collecting gently used shoes for men and women. Sneakers and boots are preferred. All sizes are accepted. Shoes must not be worn out. Donations can be dropped off at Mercy Meals & More Soup Kitchen at Pilgrim United Church
Mercy Meals & More is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a nutritious start to the day for neighbors in need. A hot breakfast is served Monday through Saturday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Guests are treated with dignity and respect. In addition to free meals, the organization offers clothing and foot care. Its mission […]
Martha’s Pantry at Grace provides groceries each week to households in Greater New Bedford. The food available includes fresh produce and bread. The goal is to supply three meals a day for three days for each family member. Households may visit once a month. Pantry is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. […]
Get the best of The New Bedford Light directly in your email inbox.
Sending to:
