Meet the Artists: Material Needs 2026

ArtsWorcester engages artists and the public to advance and celebrate contemporary art.

ArtsWorcester

Drop in and chat with the seven artists featured in this year's Material Needs exhibition.

See this year's Material Needs 2026 artists in a new light and connect with the individuals who made it come to life. Seven artists -- Ben Cline, Jennifer Davis Carey, Kristi DiSalle, Kate Egnaczak, Claudio Eshun (AKA Don Claude), Anne Harris, and Sheila Papetti -- are featured in this year's exhibition, and all bring their own collections they have been working on over the last year utilizing a Material Needs grant to support their cost of materials. Material Needs grants are generously made possible each year by an anonymous donor.

Following your RSVP, you are welcome to drop in anytime between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM that afternoon to chat with the exhibiting artists. The galleries will be open for normal hours until 5:00 PM; you are welcome to stay until then and continue browsing the exhibition by yourself, or with a group.Your RSVP helps us plan for light refreshments at the event.Parking is available at the Worcester Public Library (McGrath) Lot, Federal Plaza Garage, Worcester Common Garage, and Pearl-Elm Garage. Metered street parking is also available. On weekends, and on weekdays after 5:00 PM, visitors may park in the Printers Building parking lot free of charge. Please do not park in the lot across the street from the Printers Building; you will be immediately towed. Collections on view include:

Ben Cline: Stained Glass Incorporation// Above: Ben Cline, Red, maple box with Paduk splines, red felt, stained glass lid, 5" x 9" x 5", 2025

Jennifer Davis Carey: Mythos Mine, Mythos Ours// Above: Jennifer Davis Carey, Persephone's Dream, vitreous enamel on copper assemblage, 12" x 8", 2026

Kate Egnaczak: Visible Inventories// Above: Kate Egnaczak, Warm Bottles, acrylic gelli print, 16" x 20", 2026

Claudio Eshun (AKA Don Claude): Elegant Alien// Above: Claudio Eshun (AKA Don Claude), Untitled (Auntie Elsie and Desdemona), digital inkjet print, ed. 1/10, 24" x 30", 2025

Kristi DiSalle: Bodies in Transition: Women's Perception of Themselves through Perimenopause// Above: Kristi DiSalle, Mood Swings, acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36", 2026

Anne Harris: Misunderstood Animals: The Black Vulture// Above: Anne Harris, I Heart Vultures, colored pencil on paper, 10" x 10", 2026

Sheila Papetti: The Coat Series// Above: Sheila Papetti, Hope, coral velvet with white leather trim, 54" x 30" x 30", 2025

<h4>// Headshots provided by the artists.</h4>

Meet the Artists: Material Needs 2026

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Meet the Artists: Material Needs 2026

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