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Cambridge’s Percent-for-Art ordinance, established in 1979, has led to the city housing the largest municipal collection of contemporary public art in the region, along with the responsibility of maintaining it. The 2024 exhibition Rust Happen(s): Caring for the Public Art Collection showcased the challenges of preserving outdoor artworks, from rust and graffiti to storm damage, and highlighted the meticulous work of Cambridge Arts’ conservation team. Through stories of restored sculptures and murals, the exhibit underscored the science behind art conservation and encouraged community engagement in protecting public art.

Decorate the reading garden with sidewalk chalk. All ages! Children 7 and under must have a caregiver.

Decorate the reading garden with sidewalk chalk. All ages! Children 7 and under must have a caregiver.

Exchange your surplus paint, fabric, fiber, and other supplies with fellow crafters and artists in the community! Donations accepted at the Main Library Q&A desk starting January 5, 2026. Make & Mend Somerville has generously offered to accept leftover supplies, so please make sure your donations follow their guidelines: https://makeandmendshop.com/pages/donate.

Exchange your surplus paint, fabric, fiber, and other supplies with fellow crafters and artists in the community! Donations accepted at the Main Library Q&A desk starting September 8, 2026. Make & Mend Somerville has generously offered to accept leftover supplies, so please make sure your donations follow their guidelines: https://makeandmendshop.com/pages/donate.

Stop by before the holiday weekend to pick up a tiny art kit. Paint your own miniature masterpiece with a watercolor set, wooden easel and two-inch canvas. If you're playing Summer Bingo, use this kit to complete the square: create something inspired by a book. For all ages, while supplies last. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation and Friends of the Cambridge Public Library.

A beloved apple tree will sprout new life through the process of tree grafting and mature pin oaks will be transformed into interactive sculptures as part of a public art project from the firm IKD that is planned for the City of Cambridge’s Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools complex.

Sign up to sell your art at the 2023 Cambridge Arts Open Studios on Sept. 9-10, 2023, from noon to 6 p.m. each day.

Back by popular demand! Explore the art of botanical collage. In this workshop, participants work with a variety of plant-inspired imagery—think leaves, flowers, stems, and natural textures—to create their own unique composition. Whether you prefer something delicate and minimal or bold and layered, this is a chance to experiment, play, and let your creativity unfold. No prior experience is needed—this workshop is designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners. A selection of materials will be provided, so you can simply show up and start creating. That said, students are more than welcome to bring your own papers, clippings, pressed plants, or anything else that inspires you. Registration is required.

Join Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Cambridge City Nature Art Challenge and view their art on display. We will have food and nature art activities for all ages. This event is presented as a part of the Cambridge Public Library Nature Club.