Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association-WCNA

10/22/2026

This Friday night, Oct 23 (5-8pm) and midday Saturday (11am-2pm) you have two more opportunities to view the creative talents of local artists at our downtown arts space, 9 Albion St. The Arts Collaborative of Wakefield show, "Inspired by..." continues for its 4th weekend. All types of graphic arts, plus ceramics, felting, and other works are included. Some of the artists will be there, and they're delighted to talk about their work with you. Here are some don't-miss pieces to look for:

10/22/2026

DON'T MISS the Friday night preview, October 23rd, 5-8 pm, when there will be a phenomenal display of over a thousand hand-blown glass pumpkins (and a few other squash), laid out on tables under a tent. MIT Glass Lab staff will be on hand to describe the process of creating these works of art, and they're happy to answer all your questions. No sales take place on Friday, you have to return on Saturday morning. We are lucky to have this annual event so close by.

The 25th annual MIT Great Glass Pumpkin Patch returns to Cambridge this Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kresge Oval. Thousands of colorful, hand-blown glass pumpkins transform the lawn into a dazzling autumn display. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
The tradition began in 2001 following a residency at the MIT Glass Lab by artists from California’s Bay Area Glass Institute. Today, members of the MIT community spend months creating more than 2,000 individually crafted pumpkins in an extraordinary variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Proceeds from the annual sale help fund the Glass Lab’s educational programs and operations.
Originally scheduled for September, this year’s event was postponed until October 24. Visitors can browse the display, photograph the pumpkins, and purchase their favorites. The event takes place at Kresge Oval, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

10/16/2026

Another local arts & crafts event this weekend - we love to give a boost to our local artisans - the annual fair at the United Methodist Church on Vernon St (just south of Lowell St). In addition to the awesome raffle offerings, there is a wide array of hand-made craft offerings that you may wish to consider for holiday gift-giving. We've attended and purchased from this Fair for many years. Note the short hours, like the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield show, it ends at 2 pm.

10/16/2026

Planning on attending the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield show tonight or over lunchtime on Saturday, and looking to add something else to your weekend? Check out both nature's art and man made art at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. We are familiar with some of the artists scheduled to be there, but not all, so if you go, tell them about WCNA's Festival by the Lake and encourage them to check us out! Sunday looks like it will be the better of 2 days to walk about there.

10/15/2026

The Arts Collaborative of Wakefield’s show continues at the Albion Cultural center this Friday 5-8 pm and Saturday 11am-2pm. There are two great demonstrations scheduled. On Friday night, ACW artist Jacob Bassett will be demonstrating the art of Sgraffito. Sgraffito is a decorative art technique that involves carving through a top layer of clay to reveal a contrasting color or layer underneath. The word comes from the Italian sgraffiare, meaning "to scratch". On Saturday, Stephanie Stigliano will demonstrate the art of linoleum block carving and printing. During this hands-on demo, visitors will be able to make a print and take it home.

10/09/2026

Tonight starts the 2nd weekend of the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield's "Inspired by..." show at the Albion Cultural Exchange, 9 Albion St, Wakefield. Stop in on Fri. Oct. 9, 5-8 pm, or on Sat. Oct. 10, 11am-2pm.

The works of 30 local artists will be available for viewing and purchase, featuring a diverse range of media such as drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics, photography, fibers, and mosaics. ARTIST DEMOs! FRIDAY night, Denis Loginowski from Proof-of-Concept, a community-focused workshop in Wakefield, will be selling 3D printed artworks, operating a 3D printer, and answering questions about the use of 3D printing in various art forms. Information will be available about the services offered at Proof-of-Concept, including advanced fabrication tools like waterjets and laser cutters, expert on-site training, and a collaborative space for creators to find camaraderie, seek project partners, and bring their next big invention to life. On SATURDAY, Kathy Frey will demonstrate needle felting, a sculptural craft using wool. With specialized barbed or notched needles, she repeatedly pokes and tangles loose wool fibers into solid 3D sculptures or flat 2D designs.

10/08/2026

The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt has partnered with the WCNA in the past, and has a common interest in the town. They focus on the Lake and its immediate environs, and we, the WCNA, on the property right up against the Lake, especially on its south shore. We encourage anyone who is interested to learn more about the FOLQ and support it. This breakfast, and their annual dinner in May, are two great ways to do so.

The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt invite all our friends, followers, and fans of the lake to our 2026 Annual Breakfast on Sunday, November 15 from 8:00am - 11:00am. This year, we recognize Karen Faler as the 2026 Gertrude Spaulding award winner.

Karen has been a FOLQ Board of Directors member for over 30 years. Karen's dedication to all things FOLQ for many decades makes her more than worthy of this wonderful recognition.

Support FOLQ, enjoy a delicious breakfast, learn about how FOLQ protects and enhances Lake Quannapowitt and how you can get involved, see old friends, and make new ones!

🖼️🎨 Local artist Tom Macguire will be offering his beautiful collection of Wakefield artwork for sale (these make wonderful holiday gifts!).

🎶🎵Musicians and Eddie Dee will provide lovely live music.

🗺️ Location: Crystal Community Club at 77 Preston Street, Wakefield.

⏰ Time: Come and go as you please anytime between 8:00am and 11:00am

🎟️🎟️🎟️ Tickets: FOLQ.ORG or directly at https://givebutter.com/2026-friends-of-lake-quannapowitt-annual-breakfast

09/30/2026

The Arts Collaborative of Wakefield will present their "Inspired By..." Art Exhibit and Sale throughout October. All are welcome to the opening reception this Friday, October 2, from 5pm to 8pm at the Albion Cultural Exchange (9 Albion Street). The show is open on Friday evenings from 5-8 pm and on Saturdays from 11am-2pm. There will be art sales, demonstrations and collaborations along with a special exhibit, "Inspired by Halloween." Special small works sold in the lobby will benefit PAWS Wakefield.

09/29/2026

Maybe you're busy cleaning up around your yard from the storm, or maybe you can't get around easily. There's art you can view at your leisure from your home (or from a computer at the Library). The Marblehead Arts Association has 5 new exhibits which opened this weekend, and you can "visit" them virtually. Some of the works are available for purchase; they're all free to view and enjoy. Did you know the WCNA's Festival by the Lake draws artisans from throughout New England, including Marblehead!

09/28/2026

You know we love the arts, hosting a show with live music every June. We looked for beauty in the midst of the weekend nor'easter and found it in two places. The closing performance of North Shore Music Theatre's show Come From Away - wonderful acting and vocal performances from a cast of 12 who played multiple roles. The Merrimack Valley Quilters' Guild annual show which displayed about 150 quilts at the Hope Community Church in Newburyport on Friday and Saturday. Next year's show will take place Oct 1&2. Click through a sampling of displayed quilts below.
The Arts Collaborative of Wakefield's next show in the Albion Cultural Exchange opens this Friday, October 2 at 5 pm. More info to come!