Wellesley is fortunate to have a lively arts scene, with various opportunities to engage with or make art at any given time. Check out a concert, theater performance, or art reception this month. Here are just a few events happening soon, here and beyond Wellesley.
Don’t see your arts event listed? Email us at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
Clarendon Fine Art to open mid-Sept.
Wellesley Square is preparing to welcome a fresh cultural destination to downtown. Clarendon Fine Art will officially launch its soft opening on Thursday, September 17, at 3pm, complete with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its arrival at 25 Central Street (the former Laurel Grove location).
The brand comes with significant global experience. The company operates dozens of galleries across the United Kingdom, alongside a flagship U.S. location in Westport, Connecticut, which opened three years ago.
Clarendon specializes in international, contemporary, modern art. A company representative said via email that the gallery prides itself on being warm, welcoming, and accessible, whether the customer is a seasoned collector searching for a centerpiece acquisition or a local resident browsing during an afternoon stroll.
Clarendon Fine Arts joins several art-focused businesses in town and slightly beyond—Beth Urdang Gallery and The Gifted Hand in Wellesley Square; The Painting Place 4 Fun in Wellesley Hills; Framebridge in Linden Square; and Page Waterman Gallery in South Natick. You can also see (and sometimes buy) great local art at the Wellesley Free Library, where exhibits rotate monthly—currently Dan Gee’s photography exhibit, “Local Color In and Around Wellesley,” celebrates the area’s beauty.
Wellesley College Theatre to host The Actors From The London Stage—free performances!
Actors From The London Stage return to campus with their Fall 2026 Tour. Five of England’s top Shakespearean actors bring the Bard’s Much Ado About Nothing to Wellesley College for a week-long Educational Residency culminating in three free performances: September 17th-19th, at the Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall Auditorium.
The Actors From The London Stage (AFTLS) present Much Ado About Nothing in a unique actor-driven production; one of the oldest established touring Shakespeare companies in the world, the AFTLS company ethos and mission is simplicity at its finest. Five actors take the stage, with minimal props and costumes, and direct themselves in a performance of a complete Shakespeare play, with each actor portraying multiple roles. Coming from such prestigious companies as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre of Great Britain and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, these classically trained actors are dedicated to bringing Shakespeare’s work to life.
Art Wellesley, 3rd annual Small Art, Big Party
The Small Art, Big Party event is a fundraiser for Art Wellesley that is free for participating artists, with all art sale proceeds supporting Art Wellesley programming. Art Wellesley welcomes donations of 8“ x 8“ artwork from professional and amateur artists to be sold at the third annual Small Art, Big Party.
The party is scheduled for October 2, 2026 from 6pm-8pm at the Lulu Wang Center at Wellesley College. In 2025 the group welcomed over 300 attendees and hung over 150 works of art.
Artist Talk with Ralph Robinson, wildlife photographer/printmaker
DATE/TIME: Thursday, Sept 17, 6:30pm-8pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.
SPONSOR: Art Wellesley, in partnership with WFL
DESCRIPTION: A wildlife photography expedition to the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia became a turning point in Ralph Robinson’s life and evolving art practice. In this inspiring talk, he will show samples of his artwork, share how experiences in remote landscapes continue to inform his lens-based practice, and how art might deepen our sense of connection.
Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 19, 7:30pm
LOCATION: Powers Hall in Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02492
TICKET INFO here
DESCRIPTION: The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series 2026–2027 kicks off in Powers Hall in Needham Town Hall with a performance by Lauren Ambrose. Ambrose is a multiple Emmy, Tony, and Grammy-nominated actress and singer celebrated for her acclaimed work across Broadway, film, and television, including standout roles in My Fair Lady, Six Feet Under, Yellowjackets, and Servant.
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, season opener, “Musical Tales”
DATE/TIME: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2pm
LOCATION: MassBay Community College Auditorium, 50 Oakland St, Wellesley, MA
TICKET INFO here
DESCRIPTION: The concert begins with Elisabetta Brusa’s symphonic poem, Merlin, for orchestra, Op.20. Written in 2004, this describes one of history’s best loved legendary figures. Giovanni Bottesini’s Gran Duo Concertante, is dedicated to long-time WSO cellist and WSO board vice president Jan Schwaner, who passed away on July 22. Jan joined the WSO in 1994, and joined our board in 2006. A joyful presence in the orchestra, Jan was an important part of our outreach program as part of the WSO String quartet. You’ll find more about Jan here.
Wellesley Hills Congregational Church presents Bach Vespers Cantata 77
September 27 @ 4:00 pm
Bach Vespers Cantata 77
Wallace Chapel, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington St.
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Beth Urdang Gallery exhibit
Summer selections. painting, photographs, sculpture, on view through September 12, at 15 Central St. and 16 Grove St., Wellesley.
Art in the Park, Natick—fall edition
EVENT: Art in the Park at Shaw Park
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 13, 10am-3pm
LOCATION: Shaw Park, 53 Eliot St., (that nice green space across the street from the Bacon Free Library)
DESCRIPTION: The Natick Art Association hosts its twice annual art fair! Art in the Park is a collection of amazing artists with various wares for sale. Come enjoy live music and shop the wide variety of media Natick Art Association artists work in. Past years have included everything from pottery to painting, jewelry to books, and more! This is a family and pet friendly event and we hope to see you there.
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