Throughout the year the WAA sponsors many events: the Annual Spring Art Festival at the E.B. Newton Cultural Center, Art in the Park at the Crest Avenue Park, demonstrations at Winthrop Community Access Television and in the Lyceum Room at the E.B. Newton Cultural Center, a fall Jazz Brunch for members and friends, Paint Night, Artists on the Beach and regular business meetings.  The annual three-day Spring Art Festival, the last weekend in April, is the main event of the year and a celebration of the arts in our community.  However, due to COVID, the 2022 Annual Festival was postponed to a Fall Art Festival.  

The WAA awards two scholarships each year to graduating Winthrop High School seniors who plan to further their education in the arts.

The summer of 2021, despite COVID, was a successful time for the WAA.  We sponsored three “Art at Crest Avenue Park” events which were well attended and enjoyed by all. (See photos in the Gallery.)  In addition, some members had tables at “Music on the Landing” in September which was sponsored by the Winthrop Cultural Council.  In October some members had tables at the “Fall Fair and Craft Show” sponsored by Winthrop Parks and Rec.  The annual fall craft fair at St. John’s Episcopal Church was a big success for all.

In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our activities have been limited. We expect 2023 may return to a normal schedule, with the exception of the Spring Art Festival. Prior to the pandemic the WAA held 3-4 demonstrations each year.  Last year we offered a zoom demonstration in February on “How to Make a Valentine Card” with Sandy Joneck-Schiff, the first experiment using the WCAT studio for the live demonstration and the participating audience was invited to interact with Sandy via zoom.  In July we enjoyed another demonstration with Sandy Joneck-Schiff, the Art of Fairy-House Making.  This time we had Sandy and four members of the Art Association in the WCAT studio and taped the program for viewers to enjoy later.  The program was a prelude to the WAA’s partnership with the Winthrop Cultural Council for the Arbor Garden Party at the E.B. Newton School and Cultural Center in August.  In December Lorene Mondello demonstrated how to make holiday wreaths, cards and other crafts at an event hosted by Phyllis Poor.  Watch for the dates of the next demonstrations using zoom again in 2023. 

One of the benefits of membership is notification of coming events where members can display and sell their work.

The Winthrop Art Association is proud to partner with other cultural and educational institutions in the Town. Thanks to the Winthrop Cultural Council for their generous support for many years, and the town’s elected and appointed officials whose cooperation and participation has been a key to our success.