Woven Courage by Arghavan Booyeh
Reception: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Hours: Fridays, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, and by appointment
The UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) presents Woven Courage, a solo exhibition by fiber artist and Sculptor Arghavan Booyeh. This thought-provoking pop-up exhibition runs through June 29 at Hatch Street Studios (Studio 215) on the second floor of the historic mill building.
The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, June 20, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, celebrating this presentation of profound, large-scale sculptures made of textiles.
In her work, Arghavan Booyeh; an MFA candidate and instructor at UMass Dartmouth, responds to the recent political situation in Iran through the metaphorical use of large-scale weaving, as well as a video projection accompanied by her own singing.
“My weaving honors the bravery and hope of generations challenging restrictive beliefs. Each thread becomes a quiet act of protest, an assertion of autonomy, equality, and compassion, echoing a lineage of strength that transcends borders.” says Booyeh. Woven Courage explores the duality of textiles; delicate yet resilient, soft yet powerful. Booyeh uses traditional Iranian symbols like the Cypress (Sarv) and paisley (Boteh) as metaphors for the heroic women fighting for freedom.
About the Artist
Arghavan Booyeh is an Iranian-born fiber artist, educator, and legal scholar currently completing her MFA in Fibers at UMass Dartmouth, where she teaches Weaving and 3D Form and Space. She holds a master’s degree in law from China, which heavily informs her social justice-driven practice. Booyeh was a 2025 artist-in-residence at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and has exhibited nationally, including at the Convergence International Fiber Conference (Wichita, KS), the New Bedford Art Museum, and the Menino Arts Center.
High-resolution images and artist interviews are available upon request.
Contact:
Email: gallery@umassd.edu, abooyehkhangahsofla@umassd.edu
Website: arghavanbooyeh.com
Instagram: @arghavan.booyeh | @umassdartmouthgalleries
Comic Art Workshop: Drawing Dynamic Poses
Want to add drama and dimension to your original characters? This workshop will focus on illustrating them in ACTION POSES! From their stance to the position of their arms and legs, these techniques will help define the character's personality and add impact to their story. A wide variety of colored pencils, markers and papers are available for students to draw with.
This is a great hands-on opportunity for young artists to expand their creativity and tap into their unique ideas!
All art materials are provided.
Tuition: $79
We meet in person in my sunny, spacious studio 88-210.
Pottery With Your Bestie
During this class you and a friend will work together on a pottery wheel to create your own small pots! Class is limited to 10 people, and structured like our Ghost Night/date nights where you will work in pairs. You'll learn a little about clay, wheel setup/cleanup, and you can keep what you make! You are welcome to bring a beverage of your choice.
Pots will be available 2-3 weeks after class. You will come back to glaze your work at a later date.
$60 per person
Sgraffito Class
This class is appropriate for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
Sgraffito is a decoration technique that includes scratching through a surface to reveal a separate layer of color.
A leather-hard form will be pre-trimmed and underglazed for you to carve on to reveal the white stoneware underneath.
All tools and materials are included. You are welcome to bring a beverage of your choice.
Pieces will be clear glazed at the studio and ready to pick up within 3 weeks.
$60 Per Person / Ages 13 and up
Upcoming Classes - Rising Tide Pottery
Creative Escapes - Beach Landscape
The series is designed to provide a creative outlet, a peaceful oasis for "me time," and a way to connect with other kind people who love art.
We’ll be painting a beach landscape and adding colored pencil details.
All skill levels are welcome!
$75 tuition includes all art materials.
We meet in person in my sunny, spacious studio 88-210.
Details on my website: https://www.catherinecarterpainting.com/adult-workshops.html
The Giant Tulip Workshop
Find some color joy with your own giant tulip creation. These giant tulips are a fun and rewarding challenge to make. And sure to bring a WOW where ever you display them.
Lunch, snacks + drinks included
Fee: $150
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
The Daffodil Workshop
A lovely way for beginners to enjoy making a bouquet of forever flowers.
Snacks + drinks included
Fee: $75
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
The Sunflower Workshop
Just in time for your Fall table! These stunners will make an Incredible table centerpiece at any holiday gathering.
Lunch, snacks + drinks included
Fee: $150
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
The Holiday Poppy Workshop
Red Poppies, with touches of green and black make a dramatic addition to your mantel or table.
Bad weather date - Nov. 22
Lunch, snacks + drinks included
Fee: $150
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
The Pajaki Chandelier Workshop
A tradition in Poland, this fun paper chandelier is so versatile. Students have made them to celebrate the birth of a child, give a wedding tent extra pizazz and add sparkle to a New Year’s Eve party.
Bad weather date - Dec. 13
Lunch, snacks + drinks included
Fee: $150
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
The Paper Dying Workshop
Take your paper flower making, to the next level. We will hand dye with inks, food coloring and even coffee to get surprising and exciting variations. You’ll leave with a collection of unique papers to make bunches of bouquets.
Bad weather date - Jan. 17
Lunch, snacks + drinks included
Fee: $150 + a materials fee TBD
Limited to 10 participants so sign up early!
For more information email: alyncarlson@gmail.com
Creative Escapes - Beach Stones
The series is designed to provide a creative outlet, a peaceful oasis for "me time," and a way to connect with other kind people who love art.
We’ll be painting a scene of beach stones by mixing complementary colors to get rich neutrals.
All skill levels are welcome!
$75 tuition includes all art materials.
We meet in person in my sunny, spacious studio 88-210.
Paper Daffodil Class with Hand Dyed Papers
Spring is short, so why not go out with a big bloom? Daffodils are everywhere, and Alyn will teach you how to make them last in your home forever. Using hand-dyed crepe paper, you will fill a vase with a sweet bunch. Held in Alyn’s beautiful light-filled studio, this class is sunny fun you’ll want to share with your sister, bestie, or Mom. The workshop will be at Alyn's beautiful 1,200-square-foot light-filled painting studio in New Bedford, MA.
Studio 88-306A
$75, light snacks provided.
To register: email Alyn Carlson at alyncarlson@gmail.com
Creative Escape
Do you enjoy collage, or have you always wanted to try it? My May Creative Escape workshop will focus on this simple but striking art form, as we creative a lovely FLORAL ARRANGEMENT COLLAGE. All skill levels are welcome to my sunny, spacious classroom at Hatch Street Studios on Sunday, May 17 from 2 to 5 PM.
Spring Open Studios
Tour working artist studios, meet local creators, and discover art and handmade goods at Hatch Street Studios Open Studios.
Giant Paper Tulip Class With Alyn Carlson
Find some Spring color with your own giant tulip creation. These giant tulips are a fun and rewarding challenge to make. And sure to bring a WOW wherever you display them. Classes are held at Alyn’s beautiful, 1,200 square foot, light filled, paper studio in New Bedford, MA.
Bad weather date May 4
MFA Thesis Exhibition
The UMass Dartmouth MFA Thesis Exhibition is a much anticipated and celebrated annual event showcasing the artwork of graduating Master of Fine Arts students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Exhibiting Artists Include:
Alison Bergman
Arghavan Booyeh
Immer Cook
Ali Masoumzadeh
Allison Morones
Maya August Palmer
MITRAAVRS
Sarah Valinezhad
Yaren Yıldız
Hatch Street Studios, April 17 - May 14
Reception: Saturday, April 18, 5 - 7 pm
Wheel 101: Intro to Wheel throwing
Class is every Wednesday starting April 15, April 22, April 29 and May 6. From 6 pm to 8 pm.
Students will learn basics of wheel throwing including centering, pulling walls, trimming, and glazing. Focus begins on mastering centering the clay on the wheel and progresses into making consistent cylinder shapes and larger vessels as confidence and skills progress. Trimming and glazing are also covered in the later portion of the 4-week course.
April Creative Escape Workshop for Adults
Celebrate spring at Catherine Carter Art School with a beautiful daffodil drawing! We will use colored pencils to create this artwork, focusing on capturing complex forms and layering natural colors. Catherine provides step-by-step instructions and encouraging guidance, so all skill levels are welcome. Art materials are included with $75 tuition; light refreshments will be served.
Paper Sunflower Class With Alyn Carlson
To celebrate the birthday of the master of sunflowers, Van Gogh, we’ll make his favorite. Classes are held at Alyn’s beautiful, 1,200 square foot, light filled, paper studio in New Bedford, MA.
Bad weather date March 29.
Sit, Crit and Snacks
88-214 with plenty of ample free parking. Art crit! It's easy enough. We sit around snacking and talking about how awesome your piece of art is! It doesn't even have to be finished. Come join us in studio 88-214 as we look over each others art and show support!