Come for the Art, Stay for the Fun in Provincetown

Focus on All Things New England! Having trouble viewing this email? [View this email on the web](. MAY 11, 2022 Come for the Art, Stay for the Fun in Provincetown America’s most historic art colony is also one of today’s most vibrant New England travel destinations. Sponsored by:[Provincetown Office of Tourism]( Years before Georgia O’Keeffe fell under the spell of Taos, New Mexico — and decades before Donald Judd helped put Marfa, Texas, on the map — the idea of the American art colony had already sunk its roots deep into the sea-swept, light-filled landscape of Provincetown, Massachusetts. In a 1916 article that dubbed this longtime fishing village as “the biggest art colony in the world,” the Boston Globe marveled: “Anywhere and everywhere you go — painters, painters, painters!” [Provincetown, MA] A 1920s painting class at Charles Hawthorne’s school in Provincetown, founded in 1899 as the first outdoor school of figure painting in America. Yankee Publishing Collection/Historic New England The oldest continuous art colony in America traces its history back to the 1899 founding of Charles Hawthorne’s Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown. And over the years this town has attracted not only painters such as Marsden Hartley and Robert Motherwell, but also artists of all kinds, from Eugene O’Neill, who staged his first play here, to the acclaimed poet Mary Oliver. The same kinds of creative minds and artistic souls that shaped Provincetown’s cultural legacy are still filling its streets, galleries, and performing spaces today. And their spirit of self-expression is also reflected in a thriving LGBTQ+ scene that further underscores the town’s “welcome all” vibe. Factor in Provincetown’s many other charms — top-notch restaurants and nightlife, cheerful inns, and attractions ranging from the Cape Cod National Seashore to whale watching — and you’ve got all the makings of a getaway that offers a deep dive into culture amid waves of nonstop fun. [Provincetown, Monument] The Provincetown Monument sits high above a community that effortlessly blends its artistic legacy with a thriving, inclusive social and cultural scene. Mark Fleming COME FOR THE ART… Provincetown wears its artistic legacy proudly, starting at historic [Town Hall]( on Commercial Street. Inside the restored and renovated 1885 municipal building you can see a selection of the town’s collection of nearly 300 works by local artists. A few blocks up the street, another 30 or so gems from the collection are displayed in the [Provincetown Public Library]( along with a stunning half-scale model of the Rose Dorothea, a legendary 1905 fishing schooner. Summertime! For many of us, the definition of “paradise” is summertime in Provincetown. It’s all about freedom, sunshine, and a chance to be ourselves! Don’t miss out this summer sachet your way to [ptowntourism.com]( for more information. [PLAN YOUR VISIT]( SPONSORED Next stop: [Provincetown Art Association and Museum]( (PAAM), which was founded a group of artists and townspeople in 1914, in part to hold exhibitions of those working and studying in the Provincetown art colony. Its high-ceilinged galleries feature a rotating lineup of nearly 4,000 works by 20th-century and contemporary artists who have worked in Provincetown and on Cape Cod (including the second-largest collection of Edward and Josephine Hopper artwork in the world). [Provincetown Art Association and Museum]At Provincetown Art Association and Museum, discover an eye-opening collection of masterworks by artists who have called the Outer Cape home. James Zimmerman/Courtesy of Provincetown Art Association and Museum Launched in 1968 by artists, writers, and patrons including Robert Motherwell and the poet Stanley Kunitz, the [Fine Arts Work Center]( is a nonprofit that embraces Provincetown’s art-colony heritage by offering residencies to emerging artists and writers. But it also hosts a robust lineup of public events, too, such as exhibitions, open studios, and talks with the likes of novelist Jhumpa Lahiri and Irish poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama. Meanwhile, another local nonprofit, [The Commons]( puts a spotlight on Cape & Islands artists in its exhibition hall and sculpture garden — both wonderful spaces to explore the diversity of regional talent. Of course, you haven’t truly experienced the Provincetown art scene until you’ve sampled its treasure trove of [art galleries](. There are more than 40 all told, representing a dazzling array of styles and mediums, and most are located right on the main drag, Commercial Street. One of the best ways to take it all in is [The Stroll]( (May 27–Oct. 7), a traditional Friday-night gallery stroll marked by special events, opening receptions, and a generally festive air. Looking at the most venerable of Provincetown’s galleries, there’s the [Julie Heller Gallery]( first founded more than 40 years ago and now with two locations; among its calling cards are historic white line woodblock prints, an original American art form that originated in Provincetown. Other longtime institutions include the [Berta Walker Gallery]( a showcase of Provincetown-affiliated artists past and present; the [Albert Merola Gallery]( with an eclectic roster of artists (filmmaker John Waters, among others) and expertise in Picasso ceramics; and the [Rice Polak Gallery]( one of Provincetown’s leading venues for contemporary art. [Provincetown Art Association and Museum]A detail of Time and the Town by Esteban del Valle, a stunning 60-by-12-foot Commercial Street mural that was unveiled by the Provincetown Public Art Foundation in 2021. Courtesy of the Provincetown Public Art Foundation But no matter where you look in P-town, eye-opening art experiences are everywhere — from the diversity of mediums on display at [Cortile Gallery]( (oils and encaustics to glass, ceramics, and sculptures) to the design-forward décor and furniture at [Room 68](. Even just strolling around can lead to an unexpected viewing: At the end of the Provincetown Marina pier you’ll discover They Also Faced the Sea, an installation of photo portraits by Norma Holt, while the Marine Specialties building on Commercial Street sports an Esteban del Valle mural, Time and the Town, one of the first commissions of the recently created [Provincetown Public Art Foundation](. Visit Provincetown! Flourish in a place of love and celebration of being oneself! Experience the local cuisine, art galleries, shops, and beautiful beaches. Checkout our official guide at [ptowntourism.com]( for more details. [PLAN YOUR VISIT]( SPONSORED … AND STAY FOR THE FUN When summer rolls around, Provincetown’s population swells from about 3,000 to more than 60,000. And while the art scene is a big draw for those visitors, it’s rivaled by an entertainment lineup that spans performances, festivals, and nonstop nightlife. Among the hottest tickets in town are for producer Mark Cortale’s [Art House/Town Hall]( shows, which boast a “who’s who” of Broadway along with music and comedy all-stars. Kicking off Memorial Day and continuing into fall, the 2022 season will see performances by, among others, Tony winners Audra MacDonald and Faith Prince, indie rock star Melissa Ferrick, and RuPaul’s Drag Race champions Bianca Del Rio and Sasha Velour. [Provincetown Pride and Provincetown Carnival]Rainbow flags festoon the main drag, Commercial Street, which plays a central role in the town’s many festivals, including Provincetown Pride and Provincetown Carnival. Tim Grafft/Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism More onstage action can be found at the historic [Provincetown Theater]( which stages five full-length productions from May to November, as well as at [Crown & Anchor]( House, Post Office Café, and the