Essex Art Center

We are a community arts nonprofit based in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Our mission is to inspire and sustains lifelong growth and learning for a diverse community of artists in Greater Lawrence. Our classes, events, and exhibitions harness the power of art to transform lives. Founded in 1993, we incorporated as a 501(c)3 in 1995 when we moved to our current home on Island Street. Today, we've grown into a thriving arts community working to positively impact the lives of artists and residents in our region. We serve as a gathering and production space for artists and the broader community to cultivate ideas, impact social change, and connect with new networks.

Art education is the cornerstone of our work. We seek to positively impact the lives of Merrimack Valley residents—youth and adults—by offering a variety of art programs that include studio courses, public art programs, college admissions fairs, free drawing sessions, participatory workshops, music performances, and a summer block party. And, we have a Riso! It's used in our teen programs and it's available for reservations for artist projects. Get in touch with our Deputy Director, Gabriel Sosa, at [email protected] for more info!