We came here to enjoy a drink and look at the art. The staff were very friendly and provided great…read moreservice. We got wine and Aperol spritzes which were really good. The hummus and chips were also great. They have a lot of paintings and prints and definitely a fun place to go if you like art.

The art half was beautiful. There was a really wide variety of art, including paintings and pottery…read morebut also stained glass and felted pieces. The person working there (felting while she worked) was also really nice and knowledgeable. The restaurant half left something to be desired. It was hard to even find the people working there (the art person had to help). They said they didn't have everything on the menu but they were able to make a cheese board. The person who brought it didn't tell us anything about the cheeses or meats but they were all delicious. We asked for Cokes. (The person didn't ask about drinks but someone else finally thought to). The drinks definitely weren't Coke and the carbonation/syrup ratio was way off. This place could be amazing if the restaurant was even half as good as the art.

Historic little gem in Rockport! Beautiful old building with many open rooms full of local artist's…read morework. The venue itself if free to walk in and browse through the paintings, and house a little gift shop and small donations box. Remember that spare change you've got in your back pocket? Toss it in here! High quality paintings and photography. Personally I know absolutely nothing about art appraisal, and prices so I was shocked to see the prices of some paintings. They seemed to range from $1,200 to $16,000!! That's crazy to me! But hey-- someone put time and effort in their work and it is very evident! There's two floors of rooms as well as another building connected by a quaint little garden area. The whole place takes at least 30 minutes to walk around to admire and take in the work, so give yourself some time!

Reasonably priced art in a terrific venue...just wished it would have been easier to find someone…read moreto chat with about the art let alone purchase something.

Super disappointed. We drove up from Boston on a Saturday…read moreand over half the art galleries/shops listed in their directory were permanently closed or closed on Saturday of all days! cute buildings but nothing like they advertise.

Totally cool place to saunter and check out various art galleries. There are a couple of…read morerestaurants and a terrific ice cream place too.

Beautiful location - great art - wonderful people. Perfect way to spend an afternoon…read more UPDATED - I've now been to two of the North Shore Arts Association summer Auctions, and each time have walked away with paintings that I love. First off - If you've never been to an auction - they're awesome! The first time I went, was actually my first auction ever. And as a result, I was a little over-zealous and bought 2 of the first 6 paintings that came up. Luckily they were smaller, and very reasonably priced (I purchased one for $150 and the other for $250, both framed), so I didn't do too much damage, but I sat on my paddle for the rest of the day. This past summer, my wife and I were married, and as a wedding present to ourselves, we were looking for something a little bigger with some personal meaning. After some intense bidding, we ended up purchasing a large Nathalie Nordstrand watercolor of Pebble Beach - a place where we've spent a number of summer days. It is now hanging in our living room, and is a great reminder of our summers in Gloucester as well as the auction action at NSAA. If you are at all interested in the idea of owning original New England artwork, the summer auction at NSAA is a great and very exciting way to do it. Not to mention that the entry fee also includes an open wine bar and generous appetizers - it's really enough of a reason in itself to take a drive up the cost and spend the day in a beautiful location.

Driving to NSAA is a treat in itself. The view of Gloucester harbor from the parking lot of the…read moreassociation is breathtaking. This is an organization that displays the work of its membership in a gallery with rotating exhibits. There are two levels - so a surprisingly large collection of work can be displayed at once. Most of the work is representational oil painting of landscapes, still lifes, and a few portraits - although there are a few watercolors, charcoals and abstract pieces on display at the moment. The staff of the association are friendly and helpful. Insider tip: ask to have a ballot so you can vote on your favorite piece of work. It's a very democratic and yelp-like way of recognizing an artist! There is some world-class artwork on display and admission is free. Well worth a trip! They're open May through October, seven days a week. This would be a great excursion for a weekend date: combination art association, fried seafood on the water, and the proverbial long walk on the beach ;)

Visiting this gallery is truly an aesthetically uplifting experience. First off, the gallery is in…read morea house located just off the Gloucester waterfront -- it'll make you want to hurl your 9-to-5 job into the ocean and go boho. The house is absolutely charming with brightly painted trim and the stairs to the entrance are stenciled with Sigrid Olsen's hand-made designs. The gallery is in Sigrid's actual house, with the living room serving as the show room. Jazzy music just flows from the Bose speakers mounted in the corners, as you are charmed by Sigrid's ceramics, paintings, and notecards. Even my children understood that they were in a special place, and were thrilled to each buy $2 postcards. You can buy a charming card for $2, $4, $5 or $10 for a handpainted card. I've bought two of her handpainted cards, and framed them for art in my bathroom. If you are lucky enough to have the $$$ and room for a painting, they range from $75 and up. Plus, the ceramics are stunning. I met Sigrid personally at the gallery, and she is very nice and down to earth. Check out Sigrid's web site for a closer look. The parking is a bit of a challenge, but if you drive around a bit, you'll probably be able to find a spot (or go on a cloudy or rainy day). Highly recommended.

Embarrassed to say, as a life-long North Shore native, I had never set foot in Local Colors until…read morethis past summer (2019)! Don't miss out on the fabulous collections of artist works here. It's never too late! Love the place and the people who work in the store! I WANT TO BUY EVERYTHING, but I can't. Perusing is nice, but having that special something catch your eye for yourself or for a gift is worth the wait if you do have to save. There's plenty to catch your eye that fits any size wallet! Go check them out - you won't be disappointed.

NOTHING MADE IN CHINA, NOTHING MADE IN CHINA, NOTHING MADE IN CHINA! Local artists strut their…read morestuff and showcase wonderful and unique gifts, reasonably priced. Did I say NOTHING MADE IN CHINA? US made by US artists! Breathtaking paintings, furniture pieces, kniknacs. It is a wonderful little find by the ocean, wearable art and warm local feeling!