HAVERHILL — A little music, a little paint will “pop-up” left and right next weekend for the biannual stroll through all forms of art.
The Haverhill Art Walks will repaint the canvas that is the city’s downtown Riverfront Cultural District for its return on Saturday, Sept. 26, delivering live music, pop-up exhibitions, an alleyway art market and many more media.
The outdoor and indoor community event takes place every June and September and is scheduled to run from 2 to 6 p.m. Some of the most “underutilized spaces” throughout downtown will be reshaped into galleries and art collections.
Free, interactive and family-friendly programming will unfold in Railroad Square and Washington Square, with more than 20 vendors joining the alleyway art market along Washington Street.
At Railroad Square, a tune will carry through the afternoon, as the lineup begins with the Haverhill High School Coffeehouse before giving way to Tom Jordan and The DayDrinkers and Autumn Hollow.
The square will also become a workshop of sorts, with visitors invited to participate in collaborative art making with Hill View Montessori Charter Public School, try hands-on printing with the Museum of Printing and experiment with interactive spray painting alongside mural artist Manny Mateo.
Elsewhere, pop-up exhibitions will offer more for art enthusiasts, like artist “Deycloud” hosting “Cloud of Thorns,” at 90 Washington St. The exhibition uses surreal imagery and modern mythology to explore topics like mental health and identity.
“This exhibition explores what it means to heal from the things people can’t see,” the artist said.
“Treating the mind like a landscape of modern mythology, the artwork uses surreal and haunting visuals to give shape to the quiet struggles, heavy memories, and internal chaos we all carry.
“It’s a somber yet romantic look at mental health and identity, building a personal folklore from our darkest, most hidden emotions, and reminding us that they are a deeply human part of who we are.”
The Mas Fuertos Unidos exhibition will return to the Creative Haverhill headquarters, gathering work by Latinx artists from across Massachusetts.
Mas Fuertos Unidos provides an opportunity for their artistic practices to be seen, celebrated and supported within the local art community, founder and curator Melanie Palacios said.
“Bringing together artists working across a variety of mediums, styles, and artistic practices, Mas Fuertes Unidos highlights the depth, creativity, and individuality of contemporary Latinx artists,” she said. “The exhibition reflects the many ways these artists are shaping the cultural landscape of Massachusetts while contributing unique perspectives to the state’s thriving arts community.”
Music will keep on playing in the lot next to Creative Haverhill, where Dan Saks and the Noodle Loaf Show will kick off the performances. Lucia and The JuiceBoxes and Froggy and The Friendship will follow.
Shoe Town Art Center will accompany the event with more art making, while Bethany Communities will host an “Artist Cafe” featuring work by its residents.
As always, visitors can peruse the alleyway art market of more than 20 vendors or stop in the participating downtown shops. This includes The Winger Rabbit, Divine Wellness and The Time Machine.
The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is expected to host a pop-up featuring Sweet London Bakery, Pixie Yates and Jennifer Loiselle of Liberation Art Studios. The Hill and Casa Blanca are two nearby eateries that will also offer live music, painting and specials.
The Haverhill Art Walk is a Creative Haverhill program designed to support local artists and businesses. The program is funded with support from the Haverhill Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council.
The full schedule is available on the Haverhill Art Walk Facebook page. Questions can be sent to haverhillartwalk@gmail.com.