Smith College Presents Third Annual Smith Arts Day on April 18, 2026
Cultivating Creativity, Collaboration, and Community Through New Traditions

NORTHAMPTON, MA — The Smith Office for the Arts (SOFA) presents Smith Arts Day, a daylong celebration of the artistic and creative community at Smith College on April 18 from 10 am - 9 pm. The day-long event brings the arts together—across disciplines and across campus. SOFA invites community members to attend performances, exhibitions, workshops, art-making activities, and more. All are free and open to the public.

"This year, we continue to challenge ourselves with creating new platforms for our students to share their many talents across disciplines." says SOFA Director Leigh Fagin. "We are excited to introduce people to the many ways the Smith community celebrates the arts and fosters creativity." Easthampton resident Beverly Rosenthal says of her experience last year: “It is such a joy to be on Smith’s historic campus exploring various departments and centers... not to mention experiencing the talent that the college cultivates. This annual event is highly memorable and not to be missed!” 

FEATURED EVENT:

Porchfest (12–3 pm)

A new Smith Arts Day performance series featuring live performances on porches and in outdoor spaces across campus. Student musicians and performers will take the stage throughout the afternoon in short sets. Stop by Capen House (Capen Garden), Tyler House, Wesley-Haven House, and the Chapin Deck to hear everything from solo acoustic sets to bands to a capella groups and other live performances.

Saturday, April 18: A Full Day of Creativity
From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., explore over 40 free events at over a dozen locations across campus. 

Some highlights:

Hands-On Workshops

• Papermaking Workshops at the Botanic Garden (11 am–2 pm)

Learn how to make paper using recycled materials and flower petals from the spring bulb show!

• Secondhand Poetry (11 am - 2 pm)

Art can come from anywhere, so what better way to make poetry than from existing words? Make your own poem by blacking out a single page or collaging one together from magazines and paperbacks.

• Create an Artist’s Book (2-4 pm)

Drop in and create a small artist’s book in Hillyer Art Library’s first-floor classroom. We’ll have a variety of materials available—including accordion books—to make your own work of book art. 

Performances & Showcases

• Smith Student Filmmaking Showcase (12-4 pm)

Hosted by the Department of Film and Media Studies (FMS), this drop-in screening will showcase student filmmaking at Smith from students in and beyond FMS

• Gamelon 30th Anniversary Concert (4-6 pm & 7-9 pm)

A special anniversary event in the style of a Javanese klenèngan. Audience members may come and go freely. Light refreshments will be served.

• Essence, A Black Diasporic Cultural Showcase (6-8 pm)

Vocal and dance performances, spoken word, a fashion showcase, and more celebrating black artists that have influenced how we move today. 

 Community Collaborations

• Old Time/Traditional String Music Jam Session (3-4 pm)

A group of Smith students, faculty, and staff (along with local friends) will be gathering to play some tunes on the roof terrace of McCartney Hall. 

• Pop-Up Exhibit Curated by Campus School of Smith College 6th Graders (11am - 4pm)

A special installation of works selected from the SCMA collection by sixth graders from the Campus School. 

• Beginner Friendly Northampton Ukulele Group Open Rehearsal (10am - 12pm)

All are welcome; ukuleles are available for loan at the Josten Library.

New this year!

• Live Caricatures with the Illustration Club (11am - 3pm)

Join the Illustration Club at a little station in the SCMA atrium where the president of the club and other members/board members draw you or a photo of loved ones for you.

• Drop in and Mend! (2-4 pm)

An afternoon dedicated to sustainable care on the 2nd floor of Hillyer Art Library. Come learn techniques for mending textiles. 

• Drone Photobooth with Spatial Analysis Lab (5-7pm)

Drop by to get your photo taken from the skies with fun accessories!

Why It Matters

Smith Arts Day is testament to how the College thinks about the arts at Smith. President Sarah Willie-LeBreton explains: "For me, art is not simply an option here at Smith but an essential element integrated into the Smith experience. Essential to the liberal arts. Essential to a world-class education. Essential to the kind of future we want to build together." 

Perfect Timing
The festival aligns with Admitted Students Weekend, giving prospective students a lively and welcoming preview of Smith’s creative community.

Join the Celebration
All events this year are free and open to all, without any advanced registration. For a full schedule, visit smith.edu/SmithArtsDay

Special Thanks
SOFA acknowledges the Jean and David W. Wallace Foundation, and Richard & Sharonjean Leeds for their support.