The New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium at Kilburn Mill, which opened in June 2021, is a commercial center specializing in the fine arts, humanities, community enrichment, and a variety of educational opportunities.
The emporium also offers their students an opportunity for social collaboration and networking. It’s also just about having fun while increasing a current skill or level of knowledge, or immersing yourself in something totally new.
The Emporium is located in New Bedford’s latest addition to the creative community, the Kilburn Mill. The mill is home to a growing number of artist studios, retail shops, a wonderful café, and regularly scheduled performance events.
There’s also ample parking and handicap accessibility. Karen Zucas, the owner, artist, and manager of the emporium says, “our goal is to offer irresistible happenings, keep people coming back for more and bringing their friends with them.” Karen has operated and managed other educational and exhibit venues in the South Coast for several years.
She found that with the life readjustment and reassessment that the pandemic brought, her emporium would “cater not only to our in-house and local artists and their followings, but to the lifelong learners and insatiably curious of all ages across the South Coast as well.” It was easy for Karen to aim for excellence with her emporium because she could draw from an extraordinary abundance of local talent and intellect.
The emporium’s goal is to become the go-to place for learning, interacting, and entertainment. The New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium offers a great space to create, a network of interesting fellow makers, and a boost in presenting the finished products and art to the community.
The varied course offerings are affordable and, to many of the student customers, priceless as well. There are currently over thirty courses and workshops being offered ranging from painting and drawing to arts and crafts.
More and more is being added weekly including free and pop-up events by the emporium’s professional artist instructors. The New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium at Kilburn Mill offers local, professional artists, some who have their studios in the mill, an opportunity to pass on their knowledge and experience.
In the few short months since its opening, despite the pandemic, 80 percent of the course offerings have been able to run. These courses, classes and workshops continue to offer an enriching and enlivening education experience for all, from beginners, lifelong learners, the adventurous, the insatiably curious, and other professionals seeking cross-discipline opportunities.
A Maker’s Space
Zucas, is a graduate of Tufts university and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She holds a master’s degree in Education. Her goal is to continually “provide something for everyone” by offering an “amalgamation of fellow artists, artisans, alchemists, academics, educators, and humanitarians” who offer and provide their knowledge and skills to the residents of the South Coast.
The emporium’s programming features classes and workshops that are unique and varied in scope. Some of the instructors on the emporiums roster include native jewelry instructor Elizabeth James Perry, an enrolled member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head and marine biologist.
Joining her is bird carver Michael McCarthy, a local artisan who has produced thousands of birds in his lifetime. New Bedford portrait and seascape artist John Jameson and award-winning printmaker Elise Parker represent just two of the fine arts instructors.
Besides the fine art and crafting classes and workshops, the emporium also offers organized social activities, private and group parties and classes, and corporate bonding events. There’s also an artist matching service for those seeking someone to create a mural, customized ceramics, and new or refinished furniture.
For further information, a tour, to discuss your art needs, or to set up a private workshop or event, visit nbartsandculturalemporium.com or call them at 774-628-6415.
