Although the Provincetown art scene gets most of the attention, Wellfleet has something special for art enthusiasts, as the town is full of art galleries, most of which are within a short walk of each other. Those in the know refer to Wellfleet as “The Art Gallery Town” because of its abundance of studios, so if you want to enjoy outstanding exhibits without the hoopla, this is the place.
These art galleries come in all sizes and show off various forms of art. If you’re an art-lover, consider Wellfleet as the destination for your Cape Cod vacation because you can spend days on end exploring everything that this town of just 3,500 year-round residents has to offer.
Berta Walker Gallery
The Berta Walker Gallery sits on Wellfleet’s Main Street and celebrates the history of American art. Many of the artists featured here are from Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown, and there’s a second gallery location in Provincetown, as well. The studio is open Thursday to Money from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM between May 23 to June 30 and every day except Tuesday between July 1 and Labor Day.
Blue Heron Gallery
At the Blue Heron Gallery, you can visit any day of the week between the middle of May and Columbus Day to view diverse collections of local sculptures, paintings, and photography. The gallery’s Bank Street location has show openings and artist receptions on Saturday nights between 6:00 and 8:00 PM throughout the summer, as well.
Burdick Art Gallery
Dating back over 50 years, the Burdick Art Gallery is an institution in Wellfleet. The venue, which sits on Bank Street, usually features works by members of the Burdick family, in addition to those of other local artists.
Celeste Fine Arts Gallery
You’ll find that the Celeste Fine Arts Gallery is a one-woman show, as all of the works featured here are by Celeste Woodes-Koper. Celeste is a self-taught painter from Boston who spent summers on Cape Cod growing up and decided to open an art gallery to showcase her impressionist work about 20 years ago. The gallery is on Commercial Street and only open in the summer.
Cherry Stone Gallery
Over on East Commercial Street, just across from Uncle Tim’s Bridge, the Cherry Stone Gallery continues the legacy put forth by founders Lizzie Upham and Sally Nerber by showcasing local artists and bringing high-end shows to Wellfleet. The venue sits in what was once Cora Holbrook’s store and is open every day except Sunday between June and September.
Cove Gallery
At the Cove Galley, new exhibits open every Saturday night all summer long and run throughout the week. There are also jazz performances on select Fridays during the summer that you can check out as you wander the town. The gallery enjoys an ideal location on Commercial Street, and offers custom framing, as well.
Front Porch Gallery
One of the few art galleries that isn’t on Commercial Street or Main Street is the Front Porch Gallery, which enjoys a convenient Baker Street location. This venue is open every day except Sunday throughout the summer and featuring abstract paintings, woodwork, fiber art, pottery, and other works from local artists. The gallery sits in a house built in 1855, so it gives you the chance to experience a bit of history, as well.
The Frying Pan Gallery
Although it’s on Commercial Street, The Frying Pan Gallery is right on Wellfleet Town Pier, so it’s a little away from many of the other galleries. This venue features fishing-inspired pieces by local artists, including owner Steve Swain, and shares a parking lot with Wellfleet Pearl, a renowned seafood restaurant.
Harmon Gallery
Another art gallery that shares a parking lot with a well-known restaurant is the Harmon Gallery, which is right beside Mac’s Shack, perhaps Wellfleet’s most famous dining room. The gallery is open throughout June, July, and August, from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM every day except Sunday when it opens at noon. The Harmon Gallery focuses on contemporary art with an urban flair, bringing in both emerging and established artists from around the Cape and beyond.
Left Bank Gallery
Just a few doors down from the Cove Gallery on Commercial Street is the Left Bank Gallery, a venue specializing in glassware, jewelry, pottery, wood items, wearables, sculptures, home furnishings, and paintings from local artists. The paintings come in rotating collections, while the rest is there throughout much of the season. You can visit the gallery every day of the week between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and there is a second location on Cove Road in Orleans.
Off Main Gallery
The Off Main Gallery got its name because of its location, as it sits in an 1875 barn behind A Nice Cream Stop on Main Street. The gallery is in a pretty busy area, especially in the summer, as Winslow’s Tavern is next door and Wellfleet Market Place is down the street, but it is set back from the road, creating a quiet environment. The gallery features rotating exhibits throughout the summer, with opening receptions and artists’ talks taking place on the first Saturday of each release. The venue is open from late May through October, with changing days and times each month. Check their website for more information.
Visit Wellfleet for the Art
In June of 1980, the Wellfleet Art Gallery Association was established with the goal of promoting Wellfleet as a destination for fine art lovers. Since that time, the number of art galleries in the town has grown, and today, you can’t walk more than a few minutes without coming across another studio in Wellfleet.
Have a look at the opening dates for some exhibits this summer because on some Saturday nights, you’ll be able to walk from gallery to gallery experiencing the best that Cape Cod’s art scene has to offer.
