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Arts roundup—Wellesley Repertory Theatre presents “Come From Away”; Colossal Collage Night; Music Collective at Babson; new director coming to the Davis; “Dance” with WSO; and more

April 7, 2026 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

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.

Wellesley Theatre Project presents Come From Away

Wellesley Theatre Project, "Come from Away"Come From Away is a moving and uplifting musical based on the true story of what happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001. When 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were unexpectedly diverted there, the residents of this isolated community opened their hearts and homes to the stranded travelers.

DATES: April 16, 17, 18 & 19
TICKETS here


Art Wellesley, Colossal Collage Maker Night

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, April 22, 6:30pm-8:30pm
LOCATION: St. Paul Church Parish Hall (Rear building), 502 Washington Street
DESCRIPTION:
Let’s create a colossal collage together. During community maker nights, participants use found papers to cut, glue, and assemble a botanical-themed collage. Think big, as in colossally big. Elizabeth Cohen and Jenny Schneider will expertly guide the process. The colossal collage will be hung at the Wellesley Free Library throughout June. This event is free and open to everyone. No art experience required.


Babson Music Collective Concert

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 27, 7pm
LOCATION: Babson College, Carling-Sorenson Theater
COST: Free, and open to the public
REGISTRATION encouraged, (walk-ins welcome)
DESCRIPTION: The Collective is rooted in the jazz traditions of improvisation and creative expression. The strudent group finds inspiration in a range of musical styles from pop and afro beat to classic jazz standards.


Wellesley College arts news

Wellesley College has announced the appointment of Dina Deitsch as the new Ruth Gordon Shapiro ’37 Director of the Davis Museum. Currently director and chief curator of Tufts University Art Galleries, Deitsch will begin work at Wellesley in mid-July.

Deitsch  has worked at Boston area art organizations for nearly two decades. Deitsch earned her B.A. at the Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. She holds an M.A. in the history of art from Williams College and completed additional graduate work at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts, specializing at both schools in modern and contemporary American and European art.

Currently leading the Davis are interim co-directors Amanda Gilvin and Mary Beth Timm.

In other Wellesley College arts news, congratulations to Wellesley Repertory Theatre, which produced “Lifted,” written by Wellesley College alumna Mfoniso Udofia.

Presented as a work-in- progress last week at the College’s Alumnae Hall, the ‘text-in-hand’ presentations treated the audience to creativity in action as Udofia continues to hone this powerful play about a Harvard researcher accused of plagiarism for incorporating her deceased father’s work into her own.

Wellesley Repertory Theatre
“Lifted,” a work-in-progress presentation. Photo by Annielly Camargo.

Exhibit at Beth Urdang Gallery

LOCATION: 15 Central Street / 16 Grove Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
DATE: through April 25
ARTISTS: Clara  Berta, recent paintings, a brilliant painter of exuberant light-filled abstractions based in Laguna Beach, CA whose works reflect the natural radiance of her surroundings.


Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, “Dance!”

DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 10, 2pm
LOCATION: The WSO is back at the beautifully renovated Mass Bay Auditorium, 5o Oakland St., Wellesley
TICKETS here
HIGHLIGHTS: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) – Four Waltzes; Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937) – Concert Piece, Harp, Op. 39; Claude Debussy (1862-1918) – Dances Sacres et Profanes, Emily Richardson, Harp; Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) – Estancia: Four Dances; Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) – Petruchka


Apply to be a Community Art Advisor

The Community Foundation for MetroWest is seeking 3-5 Community Advisors to help guide the Foundation’s investment in arts and culture across the region. This is for nine months with a stipend of $6,500.

Community Advisors will work with the Foundation over a 9-month period beginning in July 2026, bringing community perspectives to conversations about outreach, strategy, and investment in MetroWest’s arts and culture ecosystem. Advisors will help identify key needs and opportunities for creatives and cultural organizations, connect the Foundation to a broader range of voices, and inform more equitable, community-driven strategies for supporting the arts.

Learn more and apply here.


Beyond Wellesley

EVENT: Boston Lyric Opera presents Daughter of the Regiment
DATES: April 24 – May 3
LOCATION: Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St
TICKETS here
DESCRIPTION: Laughter meets revolutionary spirit in BLO’s staging of Donizetti’s comedy. This production tells a heartfelt tale of love and loyalty in a patriotic toast to America at 250. Presented in partnership with Everyone250.


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Filed Under: Art, Entertainment, Music

     

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Object of the Month

Wellesley Historical Society’s lithograph by Isaac Sprague IV reminds us of spring’s bloom

March 31, 2026 by Morgan Stevenson-Swadling

The White Bay (Gordonia Pubescens), By Isaac Sprague IV (1811-1895)Lithograph from “Flowers of the Field and Forest,” 1882
The White Bay (Gordonia Pubescens) by Isaac Sprague IV (1811-1895). Lithograph from “Flowers of the Field and Forest,” 1882

 
Sprague is a familiar name in Wellesley: one need only look to the iconic Sprague Memorial Clocktower or the Sprague Elementary School. Isaac Sprague V (1859-1934) was a town benefactor and a highly influential figure in Wellesley’s civic and cultural development, with a deep dedication to education and public access. Sprague served on many town committees and as Town Selectman. He was the president of the Wellesley Club from 1910-1912 and the first ever President of the Wellesley Historical Society, serving from 1925 until his death in 1934.

Influential in a very different capacity was Isaac Sprague IV (1811-1895), father of Wellesley’s beloved benefactor. The elder Sprague was a career artist and botanical illustrator. He famously worked alongside John James Audubon, accompanying him on an 1843 expedition up the Missouri River.

This lithograph depicting the White Bay flower was completed by Isaac Sprague IV and appeared in the 1882 book “Flowers of the Field and Forest,” a collection of Sprague’s watercolors juxtaposed with text penned by the Reverend A.B. Hervey. Also known as Gordinia, White Bay flowers are striking blooms with rounded white petals and a center of yellow stamens that grow forth from large shrubs native to Florida and Georgia.

Accompanying Sprague’s illustration was an excerpt from the William Cullen Bryant poem “Among the Trees,” a romantic exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. In Reverend Hervey’s note on the flower, he revered Sprague’s artistic ability and carefully observant eye, writing that “Mr. Sprague has reproduced the beauty and elegance of the flower so faithfully that I need not attempt a further description of it in words.”

The lithograph was donated by Albion Billings Clapp in 1958. Its frame is original to the donation, though we are not sure when exactly it was created. It has since been restored.

As April’s object of the month, the lithograph reminds us of spring’s bloom and is a pleasant and eye-catching representative of Sprague’s talent. However, the illustration also shows the importance of artists in disseminating scientific knowledge and study of our natural world. “Flowers of the Field and Forest” would have been used as an educational tool at the time of its publication. It is also a fascinating example of Victorian literature and study. The unusual combination of popular poetry, detailed scientific watercolors, and conversationally written scientific fact would be seen as odd in today’s publishing world, but perfectly common 150 years ago!
 


 
Every month, the Wellesley Historical Society highlights an object from its collection. These objects capture Wellesley stories, both those well-known to us and those yet uncovered. Historic artifacts symbolize and convey important narratives, whether that is the hard-working craftsman behind a piece or a written document that shaped the town’s future. As such, the Wellesley Historical Society collections capture the entirety of Wellesley as a town, from significant happenings to sentimental mementos.

Morgan Stevenson-Swadling is Director of Exhibits & Collections at Wellesley Historical Society.

Filed Under: Art, History

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London Harness, Wellesley

Arts roundup—Wellesley Symphony Orchestra concert; “Starry Nights” at Clever Hand; Dana Hall School student is poetry champ; Society of Artists presents pastels demonstration; and more

March 19, 2026 by Deborah Brown

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.


Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, “Women Compose”

DATE/TIME: Sunday, March 22, 2pm
LOCATION: This concert will be at the Wellesley High School Auditorium, 50 Rice St, Wellesley, MA
TICKETS here
A HIGHLIGHT: Daphne Lee, winner of the 2025 Michael H. Welles Young Soloist Competition, performs the 3rd Movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto


Wellesley Society of Artists presents, “Who is Your  Muse?”

DATE/TIME: Sunday March 22 at 1:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.
DESCRIPTION: Awards reception for the WSA’s exhibition “Inspired By.” The judge for this show is artist Katherine Miller. The awards announcement will be followed by a panel discussion, “Who’s Your Muse?” with WSA members Darryl Abbey, John Ellefsen, Pilar Figueira, Ginit Marten, Yale Nicolls, Mark Richards, Robert Savage, who will discuss how their artwork was inspired by a particular artist’s style or genre. This will be an informal dialogue with audience members about how each of us draws from the collective art community to create works that both inspire us and those around us. Join us for light refreshments and a chance to chat with local artists beginning at 1:30pm. Free and open to the public.

Art Wellesley, exhibit and artists reception

RECEPTION DATE/TIME: March 26, 6pm-8pm
RECEPTION free, but registration required
EXHIBIT runs March 26 – April 11, Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm
LOCATION: Wellesley History and Exhibit Center, 323 Washington St.
JURORS: David Teng Olsen and Samara Pearlstein


The Clever Hand Gallery presents “Starry Nights”

EVENT: Artists reception
DATE: Friday, March 27, 4pm-6 pm
LOCATION: The Clever Hand Gallery, 52 Central St, Wellesley

Clever Hand, Wellesley
Necklace by Jackie Mosher.

The Clever Hand Gallery, an artisans’ cooperative, is presenting “Starry Nights,” an imaginative exhibition inspired by Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. The show features original interpretations by its members and consigning artists of van Gogh’s radiant stars and kinetic swirls, reinterpreted in various media including glass, pottery, textiles and beaded jewelry. The show will run March 24- April 12, with an artists reception on March 27, from 4-6 pm.


Dana Hall School student is poetry champ

Nia Cao, Dana Hall School, Poetry Out Loud Champion
Nia Cao, Dana Hall School

Congratulations to Nia Cao, a Junior from Dana Hall School in Wellesley, who has been named the 2026 Poetry Out Loud Massachusetts State Champion. The national recitation contest run is locally by The Huntington Theatre, in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council, and nationwide by the National Endowment for the Arts. The honor comes with prize earnings of $200 and an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at Nationals in Washington, DC, April 27-29. Dana Hall School also will receive a $500 stipend to purchase poetry books for the school’s library. Nationals will be livestreamed online at arts.gov.

The 21st annual Massachusetts state finals competition was held at the Old South Meeting House earlier this month, with twelve student finalists competing, representing high schools from across the state, with five emerging as the top finalists.

Wellesley Society of Artists presents pastels demonstration

Wellesley Society of Artsts
Painting by Janet Schwartz

EVENT: Janet Schwartz—Figurative Painting with Pastels
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm
LOCATION: Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Ave., Needham
COST: Free
DESCRIPTION: Needham Art Association and the Wellesley Society of Artists are pleased to welcome pastel artist Janet Schwartz. The driving force behind Janet’s figurative paintings is the connection between people and/or the environment. In this demo, Janet will focus on capturing the gesture and mood in a figurative painting to tell a story.


Wellesley memorialized on Boston Marathon quilt

EVENT: Quilt show, “A Thread Runs Through It”
DATE: Saturday, April 11, 2026 and Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 10 am – 5 pm
LOCATION: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton
COST: $10/person; children 12 and under are free of charge
DESCRIPTION: The Marathon Quilt Guild, located in Hopkinton, MA, is celebrating its 30th anniversary by presenting a quilt show which will celebrate 30 years of the guild’s history, the 130th running of the Boston Marathon, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The show’s highlight includes a unique “Go the Distance” Boston Marathon Invitational Quilt Exhibit, in which an especially SWELL town we all know and love will be showcased.


Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater coming to Boston

Vivo Performing Arts, Boston
Alvin Ailey company

DATES: 5 performances, April 30-May 3.
LOCATION: Boch Center Wang Theater, 270 Tremont Street in Boston
TICKETS here
PRESENTED BY: Vivo Performing Arts
DESCRIPTION: The annual run of Alvin Ailey company’s 20-city national tour returns with several Boston premieres, part of the inaugural season with new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack. Fresh for local audiences are Boston-born choreographer Matthew Neenan’s “Difference Between,” among other luminaries. Ailey’s own iconic “Revelations” closes each of the five performances


An Evening with Megan Hilty

DATES: May 29 and 30, 8pm
LOCATION: Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, Mass.
DESCRIPTION: The Tony nominee and television star, well known for NBC’s “Smash” and for starring as Glinda in the national tour of Wicked, headlines a concert featuring songs from her celebrated stage and screen career.
TICKETS here


Not that we’re being dramatic, but we simply can’t survive without your help

  • Sign up for our free weekday email newsletter
  • Send us story tips, photos, ideas: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
  • Support our work via a tax-deductible donation

Filed Under: Art, Beyond Wellesley

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Arts round-up: Amazing Acastock concert is coming; Global film at Babson; Paintings by Dr. Savage; Society of Artists event; Latest from Wellesley Repertory Theatre; Call for creatives

March 3, 2026 by Deborah Brown

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 film this month. Here are just a few events happening soon, here and beyond Wellesley.

WHS Performing Arts: Acastock Concert

DATE/TIME: Fri Mar 6, 7pm-9pm
LOCATION: Katherine L. Babson, Jr. Auditorium, Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St.
TICKETS here
DESCRIPTION: This always-popular annual a cappella show is presented by Wellesley High School Performing Arts. Special guest stars contribute to the talent overload the WHS students already bring. Led by WHS director of choral music, Dr. Kevin McDonald.


Babson Global Film Series

EVENT: film screening of Bad River, written and directed by Mary Mazzio
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Carling-Sorenson Theater, Babson College
COST: Free and open to the public. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.
DESCRIPTION: Narrated by Quannah ChasingHorse and Academy-Award nominee, Edward Norton; and produced by Grant Hill and Allison Abner, Bad River is a new documentary chronicling the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band’s fight for sovereignty.


Council on Aging, art exhibit

DATE/TIME: March – May, during Tolles Parsons Center hours
LOCATION: Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington St., Wellesley
DESCRIPTION: Featured artist Dr. Robert Savage is a Wellesley resident who retired in 2016 after a roughly 35-year career in plastic and reconstructive surgery (and teaching and writing). At first he was all about art collecting and art history, but it wasn’t long before Dr. Savage started putting paint to canvas. The self-taught artist concentrates on iconic scenes of New England, especially the Cape and Islands. See our interview with Dr. Savage here.

Robert Savage, artist
Robert Savage, featured artist at the Tolles Parson Center

Wellesley Society of Artists “Inspired By” awards reception and “Who’s Your Muse” panel

Wellesley Society of Artists
Sisters By Pilar Figueira

DATE/TIME: March 22, 1:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.
COST: Free and open to the public.
DESCRIPTION: The awards announcement will be followed by a panel discussion, “Who’s Your Muse?” with WSA members who will discuss how their artwork was inspired by a particular artist’s style or genre. Light refreshments and a chance to chat with local artists Free and open to the public.


Beth Urdang Gallery, WellesleyEVENT: “Mostly Black & White” exhibit at Beth Urdang Gallery
DATE: through March 7
LOCATION: 15 Central St. and 16 Grove St., Wellesley
DESCRIPTION: Check out the new window installation at the 16 Grove Street location!  A stunning extension of our “MOSTLY BLACK & WHITE” exhibition in the main gallery at 15 Central features Amy Ross’s extraordinary charcoal/graphite drawings of animals, Victor Schrager’s exquisite birds and James Lewin’s majestic elephant. See it all here.


EVENT: Theater performance, “To Kill a Mockingbird”
DATES: Feb. 27 – Mar. 22
LOCATION: Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA
TICKETS: here
DESCRIPTION: Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird opens in a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother, Jem, live with their widowed father, lawyer Atticus Finch. While the children act out stories and muse about their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley, the facade of their seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young Black man is accused of a terrible crime. Based on the book by Harper Lee. Directed by Scott Edmiston


Wellesley Repertory Theatre to present in-process presentations of Lifted

Wellesley Repertory Theatre will offer in-process presentations of the 7th play of Mfoniso Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle, Lifted, at several Boston-area spaces in March 2026. These ‘text-in-hand’ presentations inform Udofia’s ongoing writing of this work-in-process.

March 10, 12, 14: Footlight Club
7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain

March 24-28: Maso Studio, Huntington Theatre
264 Huntington Avenue, Boston

March 29: Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall Auditorium, Wellesley College

Tickets can be ordered online.


Natick puts out calls for art

WANTED: Natick Center Cultural District and Public Art Natick are calling for artists to create two-sided banners to adorn 40 street poles throughout Natick Center.
ELIGIBILITY: Any resident of Massachusetts that can accept and cash a check may submit a proposal, but preference will be given to current or former Natick, MA residents. Please review all the particulars here.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: March 15
STIPEND: $1,000

WANTED: Natick Center Cultural District and Public Art Natick are calling for art for a Natick Center gift card.
STIPEND: $100
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: March 15
More information here.

Filed Under: Art

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Government

Art Working Group to put final touches on Wellesley Town Hall renovation

February 26, 2026 by Bob Brown

As anyone who’s ever flipped through WellesleyWeston Magazine knows, Wellesley doesn’t mess around when it comes to interior decorating.

So it should come as no surprise that a 16-person working group was assembled last year to figure out the best way to display art, documents, and other historic mementos within the confines of Town Hall. The 1880s building reopened to the public last year after nearly two years of interior renovation, including accessibility improvements.

Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods at the Feb. 24 Select Board meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 10 minutes in) shared an update from the Town Hall Art Working Group.

Some pieces being considered were in town hall before its renovation, and others—like an antique cash register and Lily Pulitzer scarf depicting town buildings—are new finds or donations.

town hall open house
Inside Town Hall

The working group is looking to come up with a consistent approach to framing, and is sorting through what to do about items that don’t make the cut—display spaces are limited in light of there being more glass surfaces on conference rooms, etc.

“It will be important to balance adornment with celebration,” Sullivan Woods said, adding that one goal is to elevate people’s experience in the building but not interfere with it.

The group has also been charged with taking into consideration how to support town communications efforts in Town Hall.

Sullivan Woods said the expectation is that costs associated with this effort will be relatively low, and the hope is that they could be covered through the remaining Town Hall budget.

Official decisions remain to be made, but the general idea is that the first floor that most visitors see will showcase the bulk of the art. This will be intended to educate and welcome. The west entrance could be a sort of rotating exhibit space. The second floor, which is all business, would likely feature more muted displays and fewer pieces overall.

Items to be displayed include depictions of Town Hall itself (many to choose from), portraits of past leaders, maps, awards, and historical documents. The Wellesley Historical Society is one natural partner for the town on this effort.

Challenges include not wanting to punch holes into restored or new wall surfaces. Among the questions remaining is whether to include an electronic monitor in the lobby to highlight meetings and events, as the wiring for this could be problematic.

Some signature pieces, like the weights and measures, are already on display. Expect the building’s interior to come alive with more art and artifacts as this year goes along.

 


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Filed Under: Art, Government

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Holidays

Celebrating the Year of the Horse in the snow

February 12, 2026 by admin

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, begins on Feb. 17, and Wellesley’s now got a beautiful snow sculpture to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Other zodiac animals have appeared in past years, providing there is enough snow.

year of the horse
Photo courtesy of Michelle Fang

See something? Send something: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Art, Holidays

Art

Davis Museum debuts its spring exhibits

February 12, 2026 by Iris Zhan

magu davis
Museum guests inside “The Immortal Magu” exhibit (Photo by Iris Zhan)

 
People from across the community gathered at Wellesley College’s Davis Museum on Feb. 5 for its spring exhibition opening and reception.

As visitors came into the lobby, student workers gave out feather boas to guests in an homage to the new exhibit “The Immortal Magu” and were welcomed with remarks from Wellesley College faculty and Davis Museum staff, celebrating the significance of the Davis Museum exhibitions as part of the 150th anniversary of the college.

davis museum
Wellesley College Professor Dr. Fiona Maurissette (left), her sisters, and Semente, Ph.D.,
Curator of Education and Public Programs (right). Photo by Iris Zhan

 
The new exhibits included “Only To Be There: Student Traditions At Wellesley,” “The Immortal Magu: A Sixteenth-Century Chinese Painting Up Close” and a new fifth floor with contemporary art from various artists. Guests were also invited to revisit exhibits from last semester that reopened for continued viewing this semester, including “In Focus: Wellesley College Faculty Artists,” “The Worlds of Ilse Bing,” and “Suzanne Ciani: Sound Lounge.”

The new exhibit on Wellesley College traditions contains artifacts, records, and pictures of how student traditions have evolved over time. Some traditions highlighted include Flower Sunday, hoop rolling, step singing, and marathon Monday. They also included lesser known traditions that have been discontinued such as the Wellesley fudge cake and float night. Pictures of students ranged from the 1900s to the 2010s, showcasing the longevity of some traditions.

only to be here davis
Guests viewing the “Only To Be Here” exhibit (Photo by Iris Zhan)

 
“The Immortal Magu: A Sixteenth-Century Chinese Painting Up Close” features a large Chinese scroll painting of Magu, a Taoist goddess associated with beauty and longevity. The exhibit includes details on the steps taken to conserve and repair the painting as well as a poem on the significance of Magu in both Chinese and English translations

ding davis
Dr. Yuhua Ding, curator of “The Immortal Magu,” talking to a guest about her work (Photo by Iris Zhan)

 
The fifth floor showcases a new diverse collection of 2D and 3D contemporary art across many different styles.

The Davis Museum will be doing curatorial tours of these new exhibits as well as drop-in public tours across different themes throughout the museum. You can visit the Davis Museum website to find more information.

contemporary davis
Wellesley College student observing works on the contemporary art floor (Photo by Iris Zhan)

Filed Under: Art, Wellesley College

Arts roundup—free tours at the Davis; Art Wellesley makers night; Acastock coming soon; a few Beyond Wellesley offerings

February 10, 2026 by Deborah Brown

Theater—Penelope

DATES: Feb. 11 – March 1
LOCATION: Lyric Stage Boston, 140 Clarendon St., Boston
TICKETS here
DESCRIPTION: A musical. His Odyssey. Her Story. The story you thought you knew, told by the woman who lived it. Based on Homer’s Odyssey. A generous glass of bourbon, a five-piece band, and ninety minutes is all Penelope (Aimee Doherty) needs to tell her side of the story as she embraces her heartache, loneliness, and resolve during the wait for her husband Odysseus to return from a seemingly endless war. Directed by Courtney O’Connor.

OUR TAKE: We recently attended captivating performance of the one-act, one-woman musical. Without intermission, Aimee Doherty commanded the stage, drawing the audience directly into the heart of Penelope’s decades-long vigil—her lonely wait, her palpable longing, and the crushing sense of responsibility she carries. Via ten musical numbers, Doherty masterfully portrays a woman single-handedly running Ithaca while grappling with the frustration of both her husband and then her son abandoning her. In addition to Doherty’s powerful, clear vocals, four other musicians (strings onstage, percussion tucked away in the wings) back her up as she rails against the unruly suitors who refuse to leave her courtyard. The Odyssey is having a moment, with the upcoming big-budget feature film adaptation directed by Chris Nolan, set for release by Universal on July 27th. More monsters, less singing in that one, we’d guess.

An upcoming show at the Lyric Stage Boston we think Wellesley families would like is Something Rotten. (Two brothers stuck in the shadow of a certain Renaissance rock star (Shakespeare), set forth to knock him off his perch by writing the world’s very first musical.)  Show run, May 1 – June 7


Wellesley College, Davis Museum
Wellesley College, Davis Museum

Free art tour at Davis Museum, Wellesley College

EVENT: Drop-in public tour at the Davis Museum
DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 14, 2pm
LOCATION: Davis Museum at Wellesley College
PARKING: at the Davis Parking Facility, 106 Central St, Wellesley
COST: Free
DESCRIPTION: Drop-in public tour: “The Immortal Magu: A Sixteenth-Century Painting Up Close.” Thematic tour designed by Wellesley students from a range of academic majors.


Colossal Collage community event with Art Wellesley

DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 25
TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm
LOCATION: St. Paul Church, Parish Hall, 502 Washington Street (parking next to rear building)
COST: Free
REGISTER here
DESCRIPTION: During Art Wellesley’s community maker night, participants will use found papers to cut, glue, and assemble a botanical-themed collage. Art Wellesley will provide all material. Participants are welcome to bring additional collage materials.. When it comes to this project, think big. As in colossally big. No art experience required. The completed Colossal Collage will be hung at the Wellesley Free Library through June.


WHS Performing Arts: Acastock Concert

DATE/TIME: Fri Mar 6, 7pm–9pm
LOCATION: Katherine L. Babson, Jr. Auditorium, Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St.
DESCRIPTION: This always-popular annual a cappella show is presented by Wellesley High School Performing Arts. Special guest stars contribute to the talent overload the WHS students already bring. Led by WHS director of choral music, Dr. Kevin McDonald.


EVENT: King Tut exhibit
DATES: opens Feb. 13
LOCATION: The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Avenue, Boston, 02116
TICKETS here
ALL AGES, Children 3 and under enter for free.
DESCRIPTION: An unforgettable adventure into the tomb of Tutahkkham. Walk through ancient chambers and uncover the secrets of Egypt’s most iconic pharaoh, from breathtaking golden artifacts to a state-of-the-art VR journey into the pharaoh’s tomb. If your kids aren’t obsessed with King Tut already, there will be after this experience.


EVENT: Theater performance, “To Kill a Mockingbird”
DATES: Feb. 27 – Mar. 22
LOCATION: Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA
TICKETS: here
DESCRIPTION: Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird opens in a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother, Jem, live with their widowed father, lawyer Atticus Finch. While the children act out stories and muse about their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley, the facade of their seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young Black man is accused of a terrible crime. Based on the book by Harper Lee. Directed by Scott Edmiston


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Filed Under: Art, Music, Theatre

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