Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue! America turns 250 on Saturday, and besides the picnics, parades, and fireworks, local galleries, museums, and art associations get into the act.

One of those is Lowell’s New England Quilt Museum where a new exhibit of commemorative American quilts, featuring examples from the centennial, bicentennial, and beyond opened this week and continues through Sept. 30.

Since America’s first centennial celebration in 1876, quilts have evolved from utilitarian bedcoverings to a medium of creative expression that transcends geographical boundaries and cultural differences.

The commemorative quilts selected for this exhibition serve as their makers’ historical narratives and archives of shared human experiences.

In addition to many outstanding examples of patriotic quilts, community quilts, story quilts and historical quilts, the NEQM is pleased to feature “Go the Distance,” commemorating this year’s 130th Boston Marathon. This unique quilt comprises eight panels, each representing one of the eight towns and cities on the Marathon route.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, NEQM curator Pamela Weeks invites all of us to reflect on the cultural milestones, pivotal events and historical figures who have shaped our nation and enriched the complexity of our American identity.

Also on view is Soul Stories, through July 18, and favorite commemorative quilts, through September 30. The museum is closed on July 4. Visit www.neqm.org for info, admission price, and hours.

One of the favorite July 4th activities is an annual art show put on by the Chelmsford Art Society at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Road. This year’s show is today through Saturday, July 4. There are kids and adults’ categories and artists don’t have to be from Chelmsford or members of the CAA to participate in the show. Visit https://chelmsfordartsociety.com/activity/4th-of-july-2026art-shows-entry/ for info.

GALLERY NOTES

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL : Paul Gaj’s America the Beautiful painting has multiple showings this weekend and through July. It is on display at 10th Annual Art Walk in Peterborough, NH on Saturday, July 4, 11 am-4 pm, with a rain date of Sunday, July 5 at the same time. It is also on view in Fitchburg City Hall July 6-31, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, and Boulder Art Gallery in Fitchburg August 6-29. The painting is being offered in a silent auction with a minimum bid of $250. Final bid closes on Saturday, August 29. To bid by phone, call 978-807-9422 or 978-345-7000

Nancye Tuttle’s email address is [email protected]

Paul Gaj's America the Beautiful is being shown at Fitchburg City Hall during July and is being auctioned in a silent auction that ends in late August. (Courtesy Paul Gaj)
Paul Gaj’s America the Beautiful is being shown at Fitchburg City Hall during July and is being auctioned in a silent auction that ends in late August. (Courtesy Paul Gaj)
The Chelmsford Art Society hosts an art show each year on the 4th of July. This year's show is July 2-4 at the CCA in Chelmsford Center. (courtesy CAS)Paul Gaj's America the Beautiful is being shown at Fitchburg City Hall during July and is being auctioned in a silent auction that ends in late August.. (Courtesy Paul Gaj)Courtesy Paul GajOn view in Commemorative Quilts, an exhibition to celebrate America's 250th birthday now through Sept. 30 AT NE Quilt Museum.. (courtesy NEQM) courtesy NEQM
The Chelmsford Art Society hosts an art show each year on the 4th of July. This year’s show is July 2-4 at the CCA in Chelmsford Center. (courtesy CAS)Paul Gaj’s America the Beautiful is being shown at Fitchburg City Hall during July and is being auctioned in a silent auction that ends in late August.. (Courtesy Paul Gaj)Courtesy Paul GajOn view in Commemorative Quilts, an exhibition to celebrate America’s 250th birthday now through Sept. 30 AT NE Quilt Museum.. (courtesy NEQM) courtesy NEQM
Original article
Add as a preferred source on Google