The Katherine Martin Widmer School of Painting

The Katherine Martin Widmer School of Painting is a friendly, creative, and celebratory community. Katherine Martin Widmer has been teaching students the transformational powers of art and community for more than 40 years. These powers are shared with future and current students by The School in Katherine's absence. Our mission is to create a community of artists by offering low-cost instruction in visual arts to all students. It is important to us to prioritize differentiated, inclusive instruction for all students, allowing each person to grow in his or her creative expression skills.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the Katherine Martin Widmer School of Painting. Nearly everyone loved the comfortable, respectful environment. Students from all skill levels, including beginners, discussed how Katherine requested and addressed their input and persuaded them to evolve logically. This changed the way they interacted with paint and each other, creating a sense of community that lasted even outside of class. Others noticed that while Katherine clearly enjoys painting, she also values diversity, not just in the art produced but the artists themselves. These same students initially expressed frustration that the reviews were so laudatory that they strained credulity. However, with additional thought, they realized that the community that the school provided would be much easier to destroy. Many of these same critical thinkers concluded their reviews by enthusiastically recommending the school to other people in Somerville. Favorite instructors were regularly cited as being crucial to continued study in art.