Wendell is the home of generations of artistic talent and creativity is at the heart of our vibrant town. Wendell continues to be a haven for the arts, nurturing musicians, writers, artists, crafters, poets, and theatrical and spoken word performers.
To nurture support for our beloved creative community, we encourage you to support these local creative businesses not just during the holidays but year-round.
Artists & Crafters
Cascading Wood Designs - Jane Litwin Taylor has been creating seedbeaded works of art since 1989 and mosaic art since 2007 and is currently creating new and exciting art combining stained glass and beads. Jane lives with multiple disabling and painful illnesses and though she has serious limitations, her art remains as an essential part of her essence and is highly therapeutic. Shop her work: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CascadingWoodDesigns
Cosmic Rebel Creations - Deva Skydancer - previously of well-known creative business Spoon River, Deva has been rescuing & transforming found objects by upcycling old treasures into clocks, wind chimes, jewelry and accessories for over 30 years. Deva first began making wind chimes out of antique silverware, her assignment coming straight from the heart, with her recycled art fulfilling a request from the earth, for a lullaby. Shop her work: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CosmicRebelCreations
Hannah's Skincare - Hannah Reiff - Hannah creates natural body care products: balms, salves, cleansers and moisturizers. Her specialty product is Whipped Tallow Balm moisturizer, made from local pastured tallow and herbal infused oils. Find all of her product line on her website: www.hannahsskincare.com Instagram: @hannahs_skincare_
Joy Friedman Pottery - Joy Friedman is a professional potter making functional stoneware to use in your daily life. It is decorative, colorful, durable, and safe for microwave, dishwasher, and over. Shop her work: https://www.joyfriedman.com/s/shop Socials: @joyfriedmanpottery
Lantern Hill Homestead - Todd Müller and Deb McGlew - Deb and Todd are crafters making beautiful fiber and wood products. Todd creates wooden spoons and turns bowls and Deb is a weaver, spinning fiber and weaving a variety of items such as towels, placemats, scares, blankets, and shawls. They have been honing their skills over the past 30 years, and now “retired,” are happy to have the ability to create beautiful works that bring them joy. It is their pleasure to pass that joy on to others. Lantern Hill is working on a website so for now you are welcome to email them to inquire about their products:
LégèreWear – Thérèse Légère – Vibrant colors, luxurious textures, and fun designs are the hallmark at LégèreWear. Thérèse weaves signature scarves, one of a kind clothing, and accessories. Shop her work: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LegereWear
Macle Designs – Melinda Nutter and Jonathan Pierce – If you are looking for something specific or are interested in our available gemstone jewelry selection including pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, and Prospectors please contact them directly for more information at https://macledesigns.com/contact/.
They have an assortment of crystals and minerals, sun catchers, charm jewelry and nose rings available at the New Salem General Store located on Route 202 in New Salem, Massachusetts and they also have a selection of their sun catchers, charm jewelry and nose rings available at the Mill District Local Art Gallery located at 91 Cowls Rd, Amherst, MA.
Marsia Shuron/Mother Turtle Art - Marsia is a musician, photographer, and fluid art painter. Her newest work is abstract acrylic fluid art called Whirldz which are fun and encourage imagination. Find out more and shop her work here: https://motherturtle.com/artwork
New England Fiber Arts - Sandra Tobin – Sandy is a versatile fiber artist who’s work includes reversible aprons and bibs, coiled fabric bowls, balsam gifts made from recycled Christmas trees, and patchwork wall hangings and runners. The hallmark of her work is fine workmanship coupled with fun and colorful fabrics that play well together. Shop her work here: http://www.newenglandfiberarts.com/ Socials: @newenglandfiberarts
North Quabbin Photography - Dale Monette - Dale Monette has worked in the Quabbin for 30 years. Since retiring in 2014, he has made images of the Quabbin highlighting its animals and the four seasons of the year and has created two books of his work. Shop his work and published books here: http://www.northquabbinphotography.com/
Shasta Slade - Shasta offers an array of beaded jewelry including bracelets, necklaces and earrings and one of a kind switch plates! Contact info: or 978-544-2537 or view some of her work here: https://www.facebook.com/Body-Homewares-1594974420585702
Simple Shoemaking – Sharon Raymond uses leather upholstery remnants and inner tubes to make ecological footwear for children and adults. See her full range of work including do-it-yourself kits here: http://simpleshoemaking.com/wp/
Swift River Glass – Ina Peebles – Swift River Glass creates beautiful dichrotic glass, sterling silver, and bronze jewelry. Often, semi-precious stones and resin enamel are added to her creations. Shop her work here: https://www.facebook.com/Swift-River-Glass-116232751750409/
WEAVING ARTcetera – Adele Smith-Penniman – Adele is a fiber artist intrigued with texture and color. She weaves scarves, wall hangings and bags; and batiks silk scarves, journal covers and fabric note cards. She does not have an online presence to sell her work but interested buyers may contact her via email: or by phone: Wendell x1891
Writers, and Spoken Word
Paul Richmond of Human Error Publishing - This spoken word artist, National Beat Poet Laureate, and international performer has six books published. Paul's work is best described as political and deadpan, delivered wryly humorously in his own style. Website: https://paulrichmond.myportfolio.com/paul-richmond email:
Ruth Mendelson - Throughout her award-winning career, author/composer/producer Ruth Mendelson’s deepest commitment is to bring love, compassion and positive change to children of all ages via a wide range of creative projects and programs. Her new book, The Water Way Tree was just released. Find out more: https://www.thewatertreeway.com/index.html
Musicians
Carrie Ferguson - Carrie grew up playing an enormous upright, chocolate-brown (to put it politely) piano inherited from the family of one of her father’s third-grade students. Ferguson credits the stubborn and sonorous voice of her childhood piano, combined with the perpetual fog and exhilarating clamminess of coastal Northern California, as instilling in her the baseline aesthetic of melancholic optimism that still permeates her words and music today. Find out more and experience her music here: https://www.carriefergusonmusic.com/music
The Equalites - http://www.equalites.com/
The Gaslight Tinkers - Afrobeat, Caribbean, breakbeat, funk, and latin grooves meet trad Northern Fiddle. It's the future of the music of the past. Support their music and learn about their online concerts here: http://www.thegaslighttinkers.com/
Marsia Shuron/Mother Turtle Music - As a musician, Marsia has been performing her original compositions for nearly 30 years, first as a solo artist, then 1/2 of the duo Aye, then the band Mother Turtle. Marsia also performs solo as Mother Turtle and continues to sing songs that are rooted in personal growth, love, social consciousness, and a greater vision for the world as a whole. Purchase and stream her collection here: https://motherturtle.com/music
Moonlight and Morning Star, Artistry of the Soul - Morning Star Chenven and Moonlight Davis have been singing together for over 20 years. A Moonlight and Morning Star concert takes audiences into a world of diverse music, with unique interpretations of jazz standards, beloved R&B classics, Gospel, Jewish soul and their original songs and spoken word collaborations. https://moonlightandmorningstar.wordpress.com/
Rhythm Incorporated - A band rooted in Reggae, Funk and Hip Hop incorporating different rhythms and styles from all walks of life. We celebrate life, love and you. https://www.reverbnation.com/RhythmIncorporated
Wendell Community Chorus - Directed by Morning Star Chenven and guided by Moonlight Davis' mentorship, The Wendell Community Chorus has been uplifting audiences for eight years with their songs of justice, reverence, and liberation and welcomes people of all ages and experiences, believing that everyone can sing and all voices can come together to raise energy and create change. Their 2019 CD (shown above) is available for purchase and features music from many traditions and languages, from a marching song by Emma’s Revolution to uplifting gospel by Kirk Franklin, from the contemporary insurgent “One Day” by Matisyahu and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams’ to an ethereal soothing Sanskrit chant, and many more. To purchase a $15 CD for local pickup, please call Morning Star Chenven at: 413-363-3636 or email .
The Wranglers - The Wranglers are six musicians in a democratic band with backgrounds in Jazz, Swing, Latin, R&B, Bluegrass, Reggae, Country and Blues. They create their own unique sound, drawing from a variety of musical styles and genres from compelling originals to incorporating the music of Ellington, Strayhorn, Jobim, Django, Monroe and more. The result is good, upbeat music that we enjoy creating together. Three of the four CDs they've made over the last 20 years are available for a donation of 5 to 10 dollars. Contact Doug Tanner, for more information and to purchase CDs.
If you are a local creative that would like to be featured here, please contact Lou Leelyn at
