Salem Artists' Row Set For Springtime Launch

SALEM, MA — Artists' Row will come alive once again this spring with two days of free events as part of the Spring Market Day Launch Party this weekend.

The party runs on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the downtown Salem location on New Derby Street.

On Saturday, new Public Artist in Residence Maia Mattson will create native seed bombs. The small, biodegradable balls help support local bees and pollinators. She will be hosting free workshops on how to make them both days from noon to 4 p.m.

Beverly Bees will have their observation hive on display to help educate about the importance of protecting our pollinators.

ShinDig will offer make-your-own-button workshops, a makers grab bag table and other items.

Chagall PAC will host activities from artist Sadie Nadeau, of Sadie's Beads, with a make-your-own-earrings workshop from 2 to 4 on Saturday.

Dennis Shafer’s sound painting workshop runs from 4 to 6 on Saturday with an outdoor performance from Annie and the Fur Trappers from 3 to 5.

Shafer will then be joined by fellow ChagallPAC director Diana Norma in their Interactive Poetry and Performance Workshop from 6 to 8 at CultureHouse Salem, located across the street in Old Town Hall.

On Sunday, a CagallPAC student recital will start the day at noon along with the return of Sadie's Beads, Shindig's and Mattson's workshops.

ChagallPac is located in Unit 1 on Artists' Row. They are currently open Saturdays and Simdaus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays starting next week.

Beverly Bees is located on Artists' Row in Unit 2. They are currently open Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Shindig! is in Unit 4 on Artists' Row six days a week from noon to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday.

Mattson will facilitate monthly nature-based art-making workshops that will explore the many connections between nature, art and human impact. The series will culminate in a community-activated garden tour of the city.

Learn more about the project and upcoming workshops on Instagram @stixsense.

The Lobster Shanty is also now open from noon until midnight seven days a week for both dine-in and take-out service. Live entertainment resumes this year on Saturday evenings.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza).