OPEN DOOR GALLERY @ WAM

Located inside the worcester art museum

Designed as a partnership between Worcester Art Museum, Seven Hills Foundation, and Open Door Arts,
ODG@WAM is a working studio and gallery that exhibits and celebrates the work of aspiring, emerging and established artists with disabilities, acting as a catalyst for community convening and conversation with the museum and beyond.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

In response to COVID-19, the Open Door Gallery @ WAM is temporarily closed, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy our latest exhibit, "Vibrantly Still" from Sam Tomasiello. Take a Virtual Tour with special features including a behind the scenes look at the artist at work. 

Click to take a Virtual Tour

CURRENT EXHIBIT

Sam Tomasiello: "Vibrantly Still" 

About the Artist

Working in oil pastels, Sam uses bold colors effectively. His work varies from still life drawings to more abstract work. Sam has been creating art from the moment he learned to hold a crayon.

Sam’s work has been featured at the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery at Alternatives in Whitinsville, at a juried show at UNUM in Worcester. He has had solo exhibits at the Bolton Public Library and at the Parish Center For Arts in Westford. In addition, Sam’s artwork is in permanent display at the Cando Clinic at UMass Medical Center and is carried by DMB Design Gallery in Thompson, CT.

Sam is diagnosed with autism. While he struggles to communicate he has found a voice through his art. Sam has donated several of his drawings and notecards  to fundraising events. To date he has raised well over $5,000 for autism related causes. 

Sam resides in Central Massachusetts with his family and a chocolate lab named Mr. Dog.

 

Oil pasel drawing of a teal coffee cup with yellow background
"Turquoise Mug"
Oil pastel drawing of a yellow sunflower in a blue vase with a bright pink background
"Flower in Vase"
Oil pastel drawing of two pears, and orange, and a pant
"A Cactus and Two Pears"
Oil pasel drawing of a gray fruit bowl on a table wtih a teal background
"A Bowl of Oranges"
Oil pastel of three red tomatoes on a table with blue background
"Three Red Tomatoes" on Blue
Oil pastel of three yellow tomatoes on a table with purple and green background
"Three Yellow Tomatoes"
Oil pastel of three red tomatoes on a table with green background
"Three Red Tomatoes" on Green

About the Open Door Gallery @WAM

Designed as both a working studio and gallery, Open Door Gallery @ Worcester Art Museum is a one-of-a-kind collaboration that supports the creation of new works and the sharing of artwork with the Greater Worcester arts community and beyond!

As a partnership between Open Door Arts, Seven Hills Foundation, and the Worcester Art Museum, Open Door Gallery @ Worcester Art Museum seeks to expand opportunities for meaningful experiences and connections through the arts for people of all abilities.

Painting with the top half horizontally in shades of oranges and browns, reminiscent of a sunset, and a turquoise lower half. Painted on a pegboard.
"Red Sky in Morning" by Jon Sarkin

LOCATION AND HOURS

The Open Door Gallery @ WAM is located in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum, at:
55 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA 01609

Hours:
The gallery is open during regular museum hours,
Wednesday – Sunday: 10 am-4 pm
Third Thursday of every month: 10 am-8 pm

ACCESS

The Open Door Gallery @ WAM is located in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum. The gallery can be accessed through the Lancaster Street entrance of WAM (currently under renovations) or through the Tuckerman Street entrance.

The gallery is at the end of the first floor of the Higgins Wing. It can also be accessed directly through the Lancaster courtyard, where there is a ramp and switch-operated double doors.

ASL interpreters can be requested for events and exhibit openings. We care about your experience, so please contact for access-related questions.