Current Art Exhibition:

Monday Art Collective “Driven by Abstraction” Summer Art Exhibition

On Saturday, August 22, from 2:00–3:30 PM, visitors are invited to enjoy one last opportunity to experience this vibrant exhibition of contemporary art in the Mill’s historic second-floor galleries. Showcasing painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and mixed media, Driven by Abstraction highlights the creativity and diverse artistic voices of the Monday Art Collective, a group of Boston-area artists brought together through a shared commitment to experimentation, collaboration, and mutual support.

The Monday Art Collective is a group of dedicated visual artists, primarily based in the Boston area, who have met weekly for the past four years to create art, exchange ideas, and support one another’s artistic growth. Originally brought together through workshops led by Cambridge artist Alexandra Sheldon, the group continued meeting virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic after studio classes could no longer be held in person. What began as a way to combat artistic isolation soon evolved into a lasting creative community.

Over time, the Collective’s artistic practices have expanded beyond the collage work that initially connected many of its members. Today, the group explores a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media. The exhibition at the Old Schwamb Mill reflects this diversity of approach while highlighting the shared spirit of experimentation, collaboration, and encouragement that defines the Collective.

More than simply a critique group, the Monday Art Collective has become an essential creative and personal support network for its members. Through weekly meetings, shared exercises, ongoing conversations, and the exchange of artistic inspiration, the group continues to foster meaningful artistic development and connection.

Visitors to the exhibition will encounter a thoughtful and varied collection of contemporary works created by eight women artists whose practices continue to evolve through dialogue, friendship, and mutual inspiration.

Meet the artists, learn more about their creative processes, and celebrate the conclusion of a remarkable summer exhibition in the unique setting of the Old Schwamb Mill.

Please join us for the Closing Reception, Saturday, August 22, 2026, 2:00–3:30 PM

Upcoming Events and Exhibitions:

Upcoming Art Exhibition:

Reframe: Sculpture at the Old Schwamb Mill

This fall, the Old Schwamb Mill welcomes ReFrame, a contemporary sculpture exhibition that explores the relationship between art, history, and the idea of the frame itself.

For more than 160 years, the Old Schwamb Mill has been known for crafting some of America’s finest hand-made oval picture frames. ReFrame invites visitors to consider what happens when artists move beyond those traditional boundaries.

Featuring the work of Adria Arch, Olivia Baldwin, Tory Fair, Anna Kristina Göransson, and Kate Holcomb Hale, the exhibition transforms the Mill’s historic upper gallery with sculptures that respond to the building’s history, architecture, and legacy of craftsmanship. Working with materials ranging from leather, clay, and wire to silicone, found objects, and painted surfaces, each artist offers a unique perspective on memory, movement, care, and the spaces we inhabit.

Large-scale installations will be displayed alongside smaller works available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the Old Schwamb Mill and its mission to preserve this National Historic Landmark.

Exhibition Dates: September 12 – November 14, 2026

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 26, 2:00–3:30 PM
Meet the artists and celebrate the opening of the exhibition.

Artist Panel Discussion: Saturday, October 24, 2:30–4:00 PM
Join the exhibiting artists for Site as Argument: When Does a Venue Become a Collaborator?, moderated by curator and arts writer Robin Hauck. The discussion will explore how historic places influence contemporary art and how artists create work that responds to the unique character of a site.

Closing Reception: Saturday, November 14

Admission to the exhibition and all related events is free and open to the public.

Additional Upcoming Events:

Arlington Town Day, Sat, Sept 19, 10:30am-4:30pm
Oktoberfest, Sat, Oct 3, 12pm-4pm.

Past Art Exhibitions:

Lou Jones and the panAFRICAproject

The Old Schwamb Mill is proud to host the panAFRICAproject, a compelling photography exhibition by Boston-based photographer Lou Jones. On view from March 21 through May 16, the exhibition opens with a public reception at 2:00 PM on March 21 and concludes with a closing talk and event at 2:00 PM on May 16.

More than a decade in the making, panAFRICAproject is a country-by-country visual documentary that challenges long-standing stereotypes and reframes how Africa is understood in the Western imagination. Rather than focusing on narratives of conflict and poverty, Jones turns his lens toward the vibrancy, innovation, and everyday realities of contemporary African life, highlighting industry, education, healthcare, sports, music, and infrastructure across the continent. The project has grown into an expansive visual archive and educational platform, exhibited in schools, galleries, museums, and public spaces. With a long-term goal of documenting all 54 African countries, the project continues to evolve as a celebration of culture, progress, and daily life.

Hosting panAFRICAproject at the Old Schwamb Mill places these global stories within a site deeply rooted in craft, labor, and community history. As a living industrial museum, the mill provides a unique setting where photography, history, and contemporary dialogue intersect. The exhibition also serves as a community gathering point, welcoming visitors of all ages—including two groups of student photographers scheduled to visit during the run of the show.

A powerful photography exhibition reimagining how Africa is seen, and bringing global stories into a historic local space.