Up close and personal with art at Waltham Open Studios 

For nearly half a century, Waltham Open Studios has welcomed thousands of visitors, giving them a firsthand view of world-class art without needing to leave the city. 

“People are often curious about the process” of how creators make their pieces, said Andrea Tishman, the event’s co-coordinator. 

A painter and printmaker herself, she is one of 71 artists participating in this year’s free, two-day event which runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, 2025, from 12-5 p.m. 

The 49th Waltham Open Studios will feature artists from: 

• Waltham Mills, 144 Moody St., Buildings #4 and #18
• Lincoln Studios, 289 Moody St.
• Metalwerx, a nonprofit jewelry and metalsmithing school that will be showing at 289 Moody St., although it is located at 50 Guinan St., Waltham

Tishman, who has been part of Waltham Mills for 15 years, said art lovers from Waltham and the surrounding area come because “it’s fun to see [artists] all in one place.” 

Throughout both days visitors will have opportunities to meet the creators, ask questions and learn more about the rich variety of art being created in the city, pick up handmade works and watch demonstrations, including:

• Nov. 1 and 2, 12-5 p.m. – Liz McLelland painting demo at 289 Moody St.
• Nov. 1 and 2, 12-5 p.m. – Carolyn Mackin painting demo/collaboration on a community painting, 289 Moody St.
• Nov. 1, 12-2 p.m. – Bluegrass Jam, 144 Moody St., Building #4, first floor
• Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. – AgX Film Collective 16mm Steenbeck editing demo by Colin Barton, 144 Moody St., Building #18
• Nov. 1, 2 p.m. – Chasing and repoussé demo by Tracey Tranen, Metalwerx at 289 Moody St.
• Nov. 1, 3 p.m. – Michael B. Wilson painting demo, 144 Moody St., Building #4, second floor
• Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. – Sarah Nolen puppet demo, 144 Moody St., Building #4, second floor

There will also be a special exhibit of work by the late Shawn Laswell, a Waltham artist. Proceeds from sales of his work will go to support qualifying Waltham graduates in furthering their studies in visual art at an accredited institution. 

It takes a village

“The City of Waltham has always been extremely supportive of our group,” Tishman said. Community members “feel very attached [to] and invested in us.”

However, she said that even though Open Studios draws thousands to the area, bringing customers who patronize the plethora of nearby Moody Street restaurants and shops, it can be a challenge to find local sponsors to make the event a reality each year.

Tishman said Open Studios receives two grants, one from the Waltham Cultural Council and the other from the Jones Partnership Fund at the First Parish in Waltham, which “provides grants to nonprofit organizations and projects that serve the Waltham community,” according to the church’s website.

Funding also comes from business sponsors, although some companies can no longer afford to help.

“We rely on ourselves to get these sponsors — it’s hard,” said Tishman.

The artists also pay registration fees to take part in the event. 

This year for the first time there is an option on the website to donate and help support the annual event and to ensure it is in good financial health to continue into its 50th anniversary year in 2026. 

For more information on Waltham Open Studios, visit https://www.walthamopenstudios.org/

The Waltham Times is a media sponsor of Waltham Open Studios.