Visual art, community, and literary programs and events on tap throughout the summer season
McGRATHPR.com – Sandwich Arts Alliance (SAA), an artist-driven nonprofit organization supporting the region’s arts and artists, presents a summer season featuring visual, community, and literary arts events and programs, serving the greater Cape Cod community, at 130 Main Street, Sandwich, and other community venues. SAA is home to a beautiful art gallery, gift shop, and bookstore, featuring the works of local and regional artists in gallery openings, exhibits and special events. Visitors are welcome to attend the openings or view the works on display during business hours. For more information, visit sandwichartsalliance.org.
~ Summer Events and Programs ~
The Writers’ Critique Group: Thursdays, June 6 and 20, July 18, August 1 and 15, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
This group of writers meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month. A chapter of a current project is emailed to members of the group, read, and critiqued, and brought to the meeting where it is read aloud and further discussed. Supportive, encouraging, and informative. All are welcome.
Your Daily Practice Writers Group: Wednesdays, June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24, August 14 and 28, 11 am to 12 noon
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
This popular new group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. For writers desiring to establish a daily practice, encouragement, and accountability.
Contemporary Big Brush Painting ~ with Joe Gallant: Saturday, June 15, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $90 members/$100 non-members
Contemporary painting thrives on the fusion of abstract and traditional styles, allowing artists to explore new territories on the canvas. This approach often results in intriguing compositions that blend realism with abstract elements, creating visually captivating artworks. The freedom to push boundaries in terms of colors, shapes, and compositions is a hallmark of contemporary painting, enabling artists to express their imagination in unique and innovative ways. You will complete a contemporary seascape or landscape painting during this fun three-hour workshop.
A Gathering of Poets: Tuesdays, June 18, July 16, August 20, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
A supportive and informative poetry critique group, meeting monthly on third Tuesdays, All are welcome. Attendees read their poems aloud each session, consider suggestions, and make observations.
Children’s Book Writers: Thursdays, June 27, July 25, August 22, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
If you have a children’s book concept in mind and would like to get it published, this is the group for you! We will bring our latest work to read aloud and receive comments and suggestions.
Sandwich Arts Alliance’s featured events at
The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival
July 5 through 14, complete schedule at capecodchamber.org
C.L. Fornari’s Private Garden Tour
Tuesday, July 9, 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: $5 per person, supports Sandwich Arts Alliance
Recognized as the “Garden Lady of Cape Cod,” C.L. Fornari has one of the most visited gardens during the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. As a Master Gardener, she has written many books, including “Sand & Soil: Creating Beautiful Gardens on Cape Cod and the Islands,” “A Garden Lover’s Cape Cod,” and “The Cape Cod Garden.” C.L. will be onsite to greet guests and answer questions as they roam through the beautifully landscaped gardens on Lawrence Pond. “I’m a plant geek who fell into garden communications because of my desire to introduce others to the joys of plants and gardening. My garden path led me into becoming a writer, speaker and radio host and I’m working on a second novel.”
Diane and Frank Dileo’s Private Garden Tour
Tuesday, July 9, 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: $5 per person, supports Sandwich Arts Alliance
See what happened when an English country woman and a ‘rock loving’ Italian gentleman designed and created an exquisitely-landscaped property. The topography of Diane and Frank Dileo’s gardens flows with flowering plants and shrubs, changing with the seasons, all positioned to capture the sun. Don’t miss the ambiance and the romance of their hidden al fresco sitting areas. Embracing their family heritage in the love for gardening and stonework, Diane and Frank will be on site sharing their story and answering questions.
Hydrangea Festival Historic Walking Tour ~ Sandwich Village Historic Homes & Gardens
Wednesday, July 10, 10 am to 4 pm
Tickets: $25 per person, available online or at SAA, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Join Sandwich Arts Alliance on a fascinating walking tour of Sandwich Village showpiece historic houses and buildings, each with a beautiful view. Pick up a map at the Sandwich Arts Alliance, located in the community’s prior 1834 Town Hall. While there, view the restored ballroom, and continue into the yards of featured homes where costumed docents will greet visitors.
Stroll around the ancient miller’s house sold by John Dexter in 1699 to Seth Pope, Esq., purchased for his son. Bendora, a gorgeous and fanciful Carpenter’s Gothic Victorian (Painted Lady) with beautiful gardens was built by Ben Bartley upon his 1888 marriage to Dora Newcomb. An impressive 1850 Victorian mansion built by Edward Swann is accessed through beach stone arches to a porte-cochere where guests alighted from carriages. The John Jarves house is surrounded by extensive plantings, secreted by a hedge. Contemplate a 1972 home on Shawme Pond, charmingly sited with views of swans and geese. Its owner illustrated the cover of “Fur, Feathers, Scales, and Tails,” a book about pets published by SAA. Meet Bob King and Tobin Wirt, millers at Dexter’s 1654 gristmill. Tour the Hoxie House, built for Rev. John Smith in 1675. Visit the Sandwich Glass Museum, and the artists painting on the green across from Sandwich Arts Alliance. Plan a delightful day in historic Sandwich Village – a day to remember.
Plein Air in the Park
Wednesday, July 10, 11 am to 4 pm
Mill Creek Park, 135 Main Street Sandwich
Sandwich Arts Alliance’s Plein Air Painters create interpretive works of art of the Historic District live at easels in Mill Creek Park. Watch as they sketch the scene, and paint in acrylics, oils, watercolors, or create with colored pencils. Ask questions and browse the artists’ finished works, available for purchase on site.
Hydrangea Afternoon Tea ~ A Sandwich Arts Alliance Fundraiser
Wednesday, July 10, seatings at 11 am and 3:30 pm
Presented by The Dunbar House, 1 Water Street, Sandwich
$60 per person
Enjoy a traditional three-tier, chef-inspired menu at the Cape’s destination tearoom. Delight in sweet scones, authentic tea and croissant sandwiches, tarts, hydrangea cupcakes, French macarons, and bonbons, enjoyed with all the traditional condiments and a warming pot of tea or soft drink. Secure tickets early as seating will be limited!
Mixed Media Hydrangea Workshop ~ with Jacqui Hawk
Saturday, July 13, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members; $10 materials fee due to instructor before class
Enjoy the therapeutic process of creating a mixed media vase of hydrangeas using quality collage papers, beads, gems, and special personal items. There are no set design rules – the instructor encourages independent, intuitive thought, and unique, personal touches. All materials provided, with 16”x 20” canvas.
Exhibits:
Exhibits by SAA Members in a gallery, gift shop, and at community venues
on view during business hours, also viewable at sandwichartsalliance.org
Sandwich Arts Alliance Gallery, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Business hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 am to 4 pm
Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main Street, Sandwich
Through June 4 ~ Valerie Leri
June 4 through July 2 ~ Mark Wiklund
July 3 through September 3 ~ TBA
Fishermen’s View Restaurant, 20 Freezer Road, Sandwich
SAA artists exhibit works for sale on a rotating basis
For more information about Sandwich Arts Alliance’s gallery, exhibits, programs, events, and membership, call 774-338-5201, email at info@sandwichartsalliance.org, or visit sandwichartsalliance.org, where an online store is also available. For the latest on Sandwich Arts Alliance, follow its social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Sandwich Arts Alliance is pleased to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program; inquire by phone or email for details on available discounts and information.
About Sandwich Arts Alliance
Founded in 2015, Sandwich Arts Alliance (SAA) is an artist-driven nonprofit organization supporting the arts and artists – serving as a platform for new works, cultivating the creative economy, and culturally enriching the Sandwich and greater Cape Cod communities.
Sandwich Arts Alliance is comprised of four groups that meet regularly: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts and Friends of the Arts. Membership is open to all artists and friends residing in Sandwich and beyond. As part of its mission, SAA collaborates with other nonprofit and community-based organizations to help promote a wide variety of cultural programming. SAA’s goal is to identify and support all local artists through a resource database, providing greater exposure and opportunities for fellow artist networking.
The Sandwich Arts Alliance Center’s offerings include a gallery of original art, art classes for artists of all ages, books by local writers, a gift shop for year-round shopping, and performances throughout the year. SAA’s Gallery, located at 130 Main Street, Sandwich, is open to the public weekly from Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. For membership, class, exhibit, performance and exhibit information, call 774-338-5201, email info@sandwichartsalliance.org, or visit sandwichartsalliance.org, where an online store is also available. For the latest on Sandwich Arts Alliance, follow its social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram.
