Exhibitions, free museum days and more: Art Week and Museum Mondays return in May

As exhibitions go up, gallery talk notes are finalized and hosts prepare for Cape Cod ArtWeek, here’s everything you need to know before the main event kicks off on May 3.

Through May 12, museums, galleries, libraries and other creative institutions across the Cape are hosting exhibitions, demonstrations, fairs and other events in celebration of the Cape’s local arts community. The event marks the third Cape Cod ArtWeek sponsored by the Cape Cod Museum Trail.

“The event is held to generate excitement and promote the local art culture that has grown on the Cape,” said Ryan Normand, program manager for the Cape Cod Museum Trail, in an email. “Our promoted events for ArtWeek go beyond supporting just museums, as this is a special occasion where we want to focus on the flourishing creative spark in our local art community.”

What’s happening at this year’s Cape Cod ArtWeek?

In the spirit of celebration, the Cape Cod Art Center is showing love to its Master Artists this art week with an exhibition of works across all mediums from its top-tier members.

In order to become a “Master Artist,” according to Roberta Miller, executive director of the Cape Cod Art Center, members must be with the center for at least five years and have proof of exhibiting work and winning awards in nationally advertised shows.

“We're celebrating them this art week with the exhibition of, I believe, 60 beautiful pieces hanging on the wall,” Miller said.

The center also hosts a free lecture on plein air painting at noon on May 3.

Both the exhibition and lecture are free to attend. The exhibition runs through May 10 in both galleries of the Cape Cod Art Center (3480 Main St. in Barnstable.)

The Cahoon Museum of American Art is opening its doors for a free spring open house on May 4.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with a communal drawing project for families followed by a talk at 11 a.m. with artist Don Nakamura on his and fellow artist Sarah Peters’ exhibition “Bold Women and Vivid Dreams,” on display at the museum through June 2.

“Everyone's invited to come celebrate and enjoy the museum,” Leslie Goldman, the Cahoon’s education programs manager, said.

A reception for their works and for the artists featured in “Writing in Pictures,” the other exhibition currently on at the Cahoon, will commence at 1 p.m. The open house is open to the public and free to attend. The Cahoon Museum of American Art is located at 4674 Falmouth Road in Cotuit.

Further down the Cape, the Addison Art Gallery presents “Essay on Renewal,” a special exhibition of photographs from the Cape Cod Viewfinders, a photography club on the Cape. The exhibition opens on May 3, with a reception for the artists at 4 p.m. on May 4 with music from guitarist Jim Skinger, and flutist Vicki Goldsmith.

The show runs through May 9 and is open to the public. The reception is open to the public and free to attend. The Addison Art Gallery is located at 43 South Orleans Road in Orleans.

Then later in the week, Meetinghouse Clay Center hosts its fourth spring pottery market at 10 a.m. on May 11. The market features handmade jewelry, pottery, crafts and other handmade works from local artists and Meetinghouse students and residents.

“The variety and quality of the ceramics that our artists have are really top-notch,” Sarah Caruso, owner of Meetinghouse Clay Center said.

Live demonstrations from Meetinghouse artists and music from Birch Swart will also provide entertainment during the outdoor market.

“It's a rain or shine event so if it is raining, bring a slicker and raincoat but we'll be there," Caruso joked. “Hopefully, we'll get nice weather … It's just a nice place to hang out.”

The market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Meetinghouse Clay Center (1340 County Road in Cataumet).

Museum Mondays in May return May 6

Amid ArtWeek, the Museum Trail’s “Museum Mondays in May” returns on May 6. On May 6, 13 and 20, select museums across the Cape have free admission to celebrate the Cape’s arts community.

“Museum Mondays offers a chance for local members of the Cape Cod community to visit museums near to them that they may have never even realized were just down the street,” Normand wrote.

Here’s the full list of museums participating in Museum Mondays:

May 6:

• Cape Cod Museum of Art

• Historical Society of Old Yarmouth/Bangs Hallet House Museum and Wetu

• JFK Hyannis Museum

• Sandwich Glass Museum

May 13:

• Falmouth Art Center

• Provincetown Art Association and Museum

• Cultural Center of Cape Cod

• Toad Hall Sports Car Museum

May 20:

• Atwood Museum

• Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

• Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

• Cahoon Museum of American Art

• Nye Museum

For a full listing of Cape Cod ArtWeek events, visit www.capecodmuseumtrail.com/.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod ArtWeek and Museum Mondays begin May 3. Here's what to see.