Community Event

Artists Unite to Support Safer Schools Through Art Show: Save Our Schools: A March for Our Lives Charity Fundraiser Exhibition Dates: September 2-27, 2026 Reception: September 5, 3 – 5 PM Loading Dock Gallery proudly presents Save Our Schools: A March for Our Lives Charity Fundraiser, a month-long exhibition bringing together artists from the Loading Dock Gallery and the Western Avenue Studios in support of March for Our Lives, the youth-led organization dedicated to ending gun violence through advocacy, education, and legislative action. Inspired by the profound impact of the September 2025 active shooter hoax at UMass Lowell's South Campus and the tragic December 2025 shooting at Brown University, this exhibition reflects the fears experienced by communities across the nation while offering hope through creative action. Although the UMass Lowell incident ultimately proved to be a hoax, the terror felt by students, faculty, and families served as a powerful reminder that the threat of gun violence continues to shape everyday life. Featuring work in watercolor, acrylic painting, mixed media, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, weaving, photography, crochet, and other media, the exhibition celebrates the power of art to inspire conversation, build community, and create meaningful change. Every artwork represents a shared commitment to compassion, philanthropy, hope, protection, and the belief that every child deserves to learn in safety. Proceeds from artwork sales will benefit March for Our Lives, founded by survivors of the 2018 Parkland, Florida school shooting. Since its inception, the organization has mobilized millions of young people to advocate for common sense gun violence prevention and to work toward a future where schools are places of learning rather than fear. Participating artists include Kyle Ahern, Rebecca Alden, Deb Arsenault, Michelle Boll MacKenzie, Karen Christians, Tarja Cockell, Sandrine Colson, Rosa Croughwell, Anne-Marie Delaunay-Danizio, Margaret Demille, Kelsey Engvik, Neal Emmer, Margaret Emerson, Nan Hockenbury, Wendy James, Nancy Lesofsky, Tracy Levesque, Dina Mordeno, Suchi Mumford, Lisa Nelson, Bethany Peck, Teo Pique, Tara Santoro, Laurie Simko, Glenn Szegedy, Janet Wolahan, and Bruce Wood. "Everyone enjoys purchasing original artwork and handcrafted objects," says the exhibition organizer, Lisa Nelson. "This exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to do something even more meaningful—to support talented local artists while helping fund an organization working to protect future generations from gun violence." The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the role that artists and communities can play in creating positive change. Through creativity, generosity, and collective action, Save Our Schools demonstrates that art has the power not only to inspire but also to make a tangible difference. Save Our Schools: A March for Our Lives Charity Fundraiser will be open Wednesdays-Fridays 12–5:30 PM and weekends 10 AM–3:30 PM, September 2-27. Join us for the opening reception on September 5 from 3–5 PM during Western Avenue Studios & Lofts Open Studios. Loading Dock Gallery is part of Loading Dock Arts, Inc., a 501(c)(3). For more information, visit www.theloadingdockgallery.com.