The final 24-foot display will be composed of works from Western Massachusetts artists.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
AGAWAM — Agawam Community Artists and Artisans are calling beginner and experienced Western Massachusetts artists to participate in their Mosaic Project. The theme this year is “New England Treasures,” showcasing what artists love about living in New England.
The public is invited to paint, draw or apply anything, such as clay or glass, to a 6-by-6-inch canvas that represents New England, such as sports teams, the beaches of Cape Cod or scenes from Vermont and Maine.
Canvases will then be added together to form a 24-foot display, shown at the project unveiling on Aug. 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Agawam Municipal Golf Course, or at the sixth annual Pioneer Valley Arts Festival on Aug. 21 and 22 at the Polish American Club in Feeding Hills.
Those who would like to be involved can pick up a free canvas with instructions included at the West Springfield Senior Center or libraries in Agawam, West Springfield, Westfield, Southwick, East Forest Park, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow and Chicopee. Finished Canvases can be returned back to the site of pickup by the May 15 deadline.
ACAA’s mission is to promote artists and artisans, while also engaging with the community by sharing art in many different formats. “Mosaic Project” co-Chair Karen Conkey said the group also engages with people who may not have experience in art at all. The project had over 200 participants last year.
“There’s all levels of art on it,” Conkey said. “You don’t have to be a great artist, you can just be very simple, you know, art. You can do whatever you want to do.”
Conkey said it’s nice to see everyone bring their families to see their work because for some people, it’s the first time they’ve seen their art displayed. She added that there’s a good mix of beginner and experienced artists.
Canvases are also sold at the events for $25, with a part of the proceeds benefitting the Gloria McLellan Scholarship, in memory of the lifelong Agawam resident and one of ACAA’s founding members.
Since 2022, the project has raised $7,600 for the scholarship and benefits Western Massachusetts students who look to study visual arts, across disciplines like painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, pottery or graphic design.
Graduating seniors from any Western Massachusetts high school or current college students can apply for the scholarship at agawarmarts.com by May 1, with a completed application form, a personal essay, images of three original works of art and one letter of recommendation from an art teacher or creative mentor. Three students were awarded $1,200 each in 2025.
Conkey said she is excited for the amount of people who are participating this year and who are going to try art and support the project. She said some libraries have already run out of canvases and are asking for more.
“It’s that full circle moment of someone trying art, someone donating art, us selling the art and then giving money to students to pursue art,” Conkey said. “I love that concept.”
