Created for the love of art and community.

Westport Art Group was formed in 1955 by a small group of local, art-minded women. Since then, we have grown into a robust and colorful community organization approaching 250 members from all over South Coast, Massachusetts, southern Rhode Island, and beyond. At our active Main Road, Westport Point building, we offer both adult and youth art classes and show events throughout the year, many of which are open to the public. We are a 501(c)3 organization.

Join Our Group! We Welcome New Members!

Read about the benefits of membership and sign up on the Membership page!
Read the letter from the President of WAG, Sharon Connors.

A small group of artistic women in 1955 gathered together in comradery to paint pictures. With the addition of more members in 1956, they chartered the organization. And this very summer, Westport Art Group celebrates an incredible 70 years as the offshoot of that small group of local ladies. To honor them, and our vibrant group of today, WAG will be celebrating from June 4 - 21, (Thursdays to Sundays). On exhibit will be WAG artwork from past and current artists together, along with historical documents from throughout the years.

Click here to view historical pictures !

We need your help!
We have artwork from many past and present active members, but are trying to find works from the following past members. You can help us if you own something from these artists or know someone who may have a work we can borrow (family, local art collector, etc.). If you can help, please email: info@westportartgroup.com

List of Artists/Artwork we are looking for:

Priscilla Church - Sam Crabtree - Jean Cummings - Betty Finton - Ethel Gifford - Jacqueline Hinds - Marsha Holt - Elizabeth Lees - Helen Nadler - Steve Olszewski - Elsie Sherman - Clara Stewart - Edith Wing

You will hear much more on the Anniversary events in the next month! We hope you will all join in the celebration.

Writing Workshop

The Great Both/And: Living with Paradox

with Sarah W. Bartlett

Sunday, May 31, 10am-2pm

Life is rarely, if ever, an either/or equation. Rather, it challenges us to hold competing tensions that vie for our time, energy, and attention, suggesting that we must choose one over the other. Yet, when we are able to "live the contradictions," we learn to hold the tensions in lifegiving ways.

Through prompted writing exercises, discussion and reflective image creation, we will explore some of the paradoxes that both constrain and motivate us. No prior writing or art experience required. Just bring an open heart, curiosity and good listening ears.

Learn more and register by April 29 on the Poetry page.

Plein Air Westport with Sam & Bill
2 Mediums, One Outdoor Studio

A two day workshop: Tuesdays, June 16 & 23, 9am-4:30pm

With Sam Allerton Green and Bill Lane

Sam Allerton Green & Bill Lane teach together during their workshops. They both start with a demo of the same scene so that students can witness and learn from their process on identical subjects. Sam will paint in oils, Bill in watercolors. Their intro and demo will start promptly at 9:00 am on location and should finish around 10:45-11:00. The students will then paint at the same general location and pick a scene that speaks to them. Sam & Bill will visit each student throughout the day answering any questions and providing suggestions and guidance. Around 3:15 pm students will gather with their pieces–finished or not–for an informal crit. Registration is now open on the Adult Art page!

SCA Open Studio Tour Returns to Westport Art Group in Summer 2026

July 18–19 and August 15–16

Several WAG Members will be participating in the two Open Studios of SouthCoast Artists - here at the WAG building, 1740 Main Rd, Westport Point.

SCA Tour dates are: July 18–19, 2026 and August 15–16, 2026, 11 am to 5 pm.

Always a fun event…. See you there!

Drawing with Graphite and Color Pencils

Instructor Patricia Schneider

6 Mondays, April 27-Jun 8 (skip Memorial Day), 1pm-4pm

This is primarily a drawing class, and we will cover angles, perspective, color, values and enjoy the versatility of colored pencils, also graphite. Instructor will supply a few photos to choose from for the class. Details on the Adult Art page!

Adult Classes & Events

All Westport Art Group classes are open to both members and nonmembers, but for adult classes,
current members receive a 20% discount at checkout with code - unless otherwise listed.
Browse Adult Art for current classes and Events & Exhibitions for current shows!

MAY

• Color Workshop. Let’s Make Color, Not Mud. May 8, 9am-1pm with Patricia Schneider. We will focus on nailing colors using an approach that gives you the correct color without making mud!

• Drawing with Graphite and Color Pencils… continues… 6 Mondays, April 27-June 8 (skip Memorial Day).

• Tuesdays at WAG. Barbara Healy: Painting Using Cold Wax Technique. Tuesday, May 12 at 6 pm
  Westport Art Group, 1740 Main Rd, Westport MA. Free and open to the public.

• Journeys: A Judged Open Exhibition continues through May 10, Thursdays-Sundays, 1-4pm. The last weekend will be in collaboration with and promoted by the Artweek SouthCoast festival calendar. More information on the Events and Exhibitions page.

• The Great Both/And: Living with Paradox - Writing Workshop with Sarah Bartlett. Sunday, May 31, 10am-2pm. Through prompted writing exercises, discussion and reflective image creation, we will explore some of the paradoxes that both constrain and motivate us. No prior writing or art experience required. Just bring an open heart, curiosity and good listening ears. Register by April 29.

JUNE

• Plein Air Westport with Sam & Bill. 2 Mediums, One Outdoor Studio. A two day plein-air workshop: Tuesdays, June 16 & 23, 9am-4:30pm

• Drawing with Graphite and Color Pencils… continues… 6 Mondays, April 27-June 8 (skip Memorial Day).

ONGOING CLASSES

Figure Drawing on Wednesdays! Join the 9 am group at WAG. See Adult Art for details. To resume February 18.

Weekly Painting - Thursdays. The Thursday painting group is now painting indoors for the cold season! Paint from 9-11:45, then have a friendly but informative group critique. See details on Adult Art.

WAG Poetry Group. Meetings twice a month. See the Poetry page for details.

Please click here to view the WAG Cancellation Policy.

Videos of WAG Events Available for Viewing

We have had the pleasure of working with Westport Community TV to film recent events at WAG. Below are links to two events. View on YouTube:

Tuesdays at WAG - Rick Paulus Calligraphy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQb2dOlDOL8

Mid Winter Dreams Reception - Artists and Poets Collaborate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSZwg3oUshA

Youth News!

2026 Summer ART campS for kids!

Session 1: July 6-10, 2026
Session 2: August 10-14, 2026

Click here to find out more! Camp scholarships are available.
Spaces are limited.

2026 WAG SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
APPLY BY June 1

For more than fifty years, Westport Art Group Inc. has awarded scholarships annually to local area high school students interested in pursuing a higher degree in the visual arts. Recipients of these scholarships have graduated with BA and BFA degrees, and gone on to careers as artists, animators, toy designers, art teachers, and computer artists, as well as lives enriched by their engagement with the arts as painters, photographers, ceramists, printmakers, and sculptors.

In 2025, the WAG Board approved increasing the amount for the scholarships to $3,000. Anyone interested in applying for the scholarship this spring should discuss it with their high school guidance counselors.

Click here to find out more about the 2026 Scholarship Requirements and Application
~Application period has been extended - now due June 1~

Explore art activities and programs for youth! Summer Art Camps ~ WAGkids Workshops ~ WAG Scholarship Program

Classes and Events in the Works!

Check back for details.

• A new writing workshops with Sarah Bartlett, for April, is in the planning stage.

• Gelli prints with Jackie William!

• Alcohol ink workshop with Mary Wojciechowski in April.

• Printmaking Demo with Wendy Weldon and Heidi Eastman.

Give the gift of Art… a membership to WAG

your recipient will receive all the benefits of membership…

• 20% off many adult ed classes at WAG

• Ability to enter their artwork at member-only exhibitions

• Invitation to WAG annual potluck and meeting

• Their own Artist page on the WAG website

• A social group of like-minded, friendly local art enthusiasts!
  
  Go to Gift Certificates to order one today!

Donate Directly or by saving Lee’s receipts

We appreciate your donation to support the arts in Westport. If you’d like to donate by mail, please send a check to Westport Art Group, P.O. Box 157, Westport Point, MA 02791.

In addition, Lee’s will donate a percentage of total receipts from your purchases. Just save your receipts from Lee’s, circle the totals, and and drop them in the mailbox at the WAG building at 1740 Main Road — or mail them to us at Westport Art Group, P.O. Box 157, Westport Point, MA 02791. Thank you to our members and citizens who donate!

How to Join or Renew Your Membership

New changes to membership! Membership durations are now 12 months from the date of your sign-up and payment. We no longer require a May sign-up. Sign up anytime!

For information on membership, renewal, and the state of our group, please go to the Join Us page. There you will be able to review your options for membership renewal: either online with credit card, or by downloading the registration form and mailing it with your check. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

Call to Artists - the NEW Periwinkle Shop!