Event Information
2026 Open Studios Event
This year’s Somerville Open Studios will take place on Saturday + Sunday, May 2-3, 2026, from 12-6 pm each day. More than 420 local visual artists will exhibit their work at more than 120 studio buildings and homes all over Somerville.
In addition, be sure to check out these exhibits and events that are taking place leading up to open studios weekend.
Starting From Scratch: Self-Taught Artists Share Their Secrets
Somerville Public Library – 79 Highland Avenue
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 • 6-7:30 pm
SOS 2026 artists Liv Cappello (painter), Hiroshi Minato (jewelry artist), and Allison Tanenhaus (glitch media artist) will share their stories about how they bootstrapped their way from scratch to where they are now.
They are recent recipients of the Somerville Arts Council Visual Art Fellowship. None of them have formal art education, but have learned how to successfully navigate the art world.
This event is free and open to the public, but spots are limited! RSVP is highly encouraged.
Artwear: The SOS 2026 Fashion Show
Crystal Ballroom • 55 Davis Square (Somerville Theatre building)
Thursday, April 30, 2026 • Doors open 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm
The term Artwear refers to clothing and other wearables designed as conceptual or fine art. Artwear operates outside of the boundaries normally presented in fashion to favor an approach that prioritizes style and vision.
SOS 2026 First Look Exhibit
Somerville Museum – 1 Westwood Road (Map #E4)
April 17 – May 9, 2026
First Look is a stunning overview of Somerville Open Studios and a great way to plan your artist visits for SOS weekend!
The museum becomes a space where visitors can see Somerville’s diverse artist community on display. With more than 180 featured artists’ pieces, you’re sure to discover a new favorite.
Hours, before and after SOS: Thursdays 2-7 pm, Fridays 2-5 pm, Saturdays 12-5 pm
SOS weekend hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm (opening one hour before the rest of SOS)
Inside-Out Gallery Show: Reflecting on “RE”
CVS Windows – One Davis Square (Map #E1)
April 23 – May 12, 2026
Art is transitional, ebbing and flowing with the changing tides. As artists, we are observers and respond by our surroundings. This year, Somerville Open Studios explores this concept with its open-ended existential theme “RE” and its various uses. “Re”, by definition, can mean “again,” “back,” or “anew” as well signaling the repetition of an action (e.g., redo, rebuild) or a backward motion/reversal (e.g., reflect, return).
Resist!
Ball Square Neighborhood Produce Windows
Corner of Broadway and Boston Avenue (Map #E3)
April 20 – May 11, 2026
“Resist”, according to the dictionary, is “something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action”. We resist in art to make something more interesting and beautiful (like using wax to stop the spread of a glaze in ceramics). We resist in life to stop the spread of hurtful practices and ideas. We invite you to resist in any and all senses of the word in our fourth annual Neighborhood Produce Locavore show.
RE NEW: Recycled Art Show
The KMW School of Painting
62A Summer Street (Map #E5)
Weekends only, April 25 – May 17, 2026
This show explores how discarded and repurposed materials can be reimagined into compelling sculptural forms and textures that speak to environmental awareness and artistic innovation. It is part of the City of Somerville’s SustainaVille Week.
SOS 2026 Volunteer Show
50 Prospect Street Windows, Union Square (Map #E6)
April 21 – May 12, 2026
The SOS 2026 Volunteer Show displays art by people who have volunteered for Somerville Open Studios over the past two years. It will be visible in the windows of 50 Prospect Street, across from the Union Square MBTA station.
SOS 2026 Kids’ and Teens’ Art Show
Somerville West Branch Library Atrium • 40 College Avenue (Map #E2)
April 27 – May 11, 2026
Art by Somerville children and teens will be displayed in the atrium of the Somerville West Branch Library, during regular library hours.