Lowell, Massachusetts . Downtown Lowell First Thursdays (DLFT) returns on Thursday, April 7, from 5-8:30 pm for 2016. A consortium of galleries, businesses and restaurants will throw open their doors again this year on the first Thursday of the month from April through September.
Lowell First Thursdays provide great opportunities to get out and explore lively downtown Lowell, taking in the music, art, history, food, and culture that make our city such a unique destination. Visitors, locals and college students can check out the galleries, learn something new at an artist demonstration, try a new restaurant (or an old favorite), do some shopping, ride the trolley, take a summer stroll along the canals, and listen to some jazz- it’s all here at Downtown Lowell First Thursdays.
This year, the emphasis is on the public art of Lowell, starting with the April 7 First Thursday, with other events planned for June 2 and Sept. 1.
At the Lower Locks there will be a bunch of activity, including:
-Music by UML Student Band
-On-site sculptures by Steve Syverson and James Coates.
-Banners designed by the students of MCC.
-Special color lighting of the Lower Locks
-Earth Day/sustainability information.
-A special tour of the history of Lower Locks history and art by Richard Howe leaving from the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street at 6:00 PM.
Additional tours of the art venues in town led by COOL volunteers throughout the evening.
Ayer Lofts, 172 Middle Street.
Look into my Lens, photography by Mike dela Vega
Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen Street
Artist-in-residence Dave Drinon will be giving a painting demonstration starting at6PM. Light refreshments will be served.
Luna Sessions, The Luna Theater at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street.
Join us at 8:05 for live jazz on the theater stage. Have a seat in one of our plush armchairs, sip a craft brew, and enjoy the musical stylings of some of the most talented players in the area.Drop by early to visit our independent shops and grab a treat at Coffee and Cotton.
Time: 8:05-11:00
Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market Street.
Come and create your own work of art in air dry clay between 6pm and 8pm as the Arts
League of Lowell celebrates its’ current 3D show entitled, ELEMENTS IV. Also, Norm Caron, Photography of Lowell at ALL Greenwald Gallery.
Any questions, contact Eva Glazebrook…claydancerdesigns@gmail.com
Mandarin Bistro, 24 Market Street.
The large-scale paintings of WAS artist Peggie Bouvier will be on display and the artist will be there from 7:30 to 8:30.
UnchARTed Gallery, 103 Market Street.
Plus ONE: A new exhibit featuring the work of two Lowell artists: Anne Cook and Mary Hart. Anne will be in the gallery from 5 to 6 PM leading an art activity for all ages.
The Brush Art Gallery, 246 Market Street.
During First Thursdays on April 7 at 5:00 PM, Vassilios “Bill” Giavis, one of the Brush studio artists will be holding a painting demonstration. He is known for his paintings of downtown Lowell. Giavis was recently honored at Enterprise Bank for his large painting of an Acre neighborhood. Light refreshments will be served.
Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen Street.
Artist-in-residence Dave Drinon will be giving a painting demonstration starting at 6PM. Light refreshments will be served.
Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market Street (parking at 304 Dutton Street.
The Visitor Center, with free parking at 304 Dutton St, is your hub for maps, information, and schedules for First Thursday activities and venues. Check out the new park film, Lowell: The Continuing Revolution, shown every half hour.
Watch for the Lowell Humane Society “Adopt Me” dogs on the streets of downtown.
Wonderful adoptable dogs will roam the streets of downtown Lowell (with handler) and will be available for questions & “free snuggles.”