You’ve heard of CSAs. And thanks to SLF, you’ve now heard of community supported fisheries. With Harvest Fest just around the corner, we here at SLF have shifted to a lot of food talk, so today I’d like to introduce you all to Community Supported Art, a collaborative venture with the Somerville Arts Council, Cambridge Arts Council, Somerville Local First, and Cambridge Local First. CSArt, the latest project from the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, aims to get Somervillians and Cantabrigians to think about their art purchases (and their other purchases, for that matter) in the same way as they do when buying their fresh veggies.

CSArtists: from left to right, rear: Bryan Smith, Christopher Poteet, Ed Tekeian, James Zall, Kate Martens. Front row, left to right: Anne Peramaki, Grace Durnford. Missing from photo: Richard Sabin

Instead of monthly selections of choice produce, the first round will provide the 50 lucky shareholders with three fall shares of one-of-a-kind works by local artists, making for nine pieces in total. Oh, and did I mention each art share pick-up is an event in itself? This type of CSA lets you join in the “harvest” at with CSArt’s Harvest Parties! These parties are designed to allow the buyers to connect with the artists creating the works they purchased. A work can take on a whole new meaning when you get to know the elements behind the scenes: the artist’s background, the meaning of the piece, the creation process.

Missed out on the first round of quality, limited edition artworks? Despair not! The pick-up events are open to the public, so you too can meet and greet with the artists and commission your own special piece. Or you can get on the waitlist for the next round of CSArt shareholders - if another 50 people sign up, the CCAE will offer another round of CSArt with a new crop of local artists! Round 2 is already halfway full, so sign up soon because only 50 shares will be offered again to keep the artwork unique.

Save the dates and learn about mediums from sculpture to woodcuts.

CPoteet: The 89, acrylic painting by Christopher Poteet, Somerville

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2-4 p.m. Bloc 11, Union Square, Somerville

James Zall - artist’s book

Kate Martens - sculpture

Christopher Poteet - paintings

Come early and check out the Farmer’s Market just around the corner, Sherman Market, the Taza Chocolate Factory and all the cool shops in Union Square. Enjoy lunch and coffee or tea at Bloc 11 before or after the pickup, and meet your fellow shareholders and the artists.

Blue House, mixed media on fabric, by Grace Durnford, Somerville

Sept. 22, 5-7 p.m. at Eastern Bank, One Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge

Richard Sabin - woodcuts

Grace Durnford - mixed media with paint and embroidery

Ed Tekeian - 3D model kits

Enjoy some food and drink provided by our sponsor, Eastern Bank, meet the artists, and check out the Venture Café upstairs and learn about innovative ideas in clean technology.

Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m. at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St. courtyard

Anne Peramaki, paint on wood

Bryan Smith, etchings

Judy Motzkin, sculpture

 Enjoy bustling Harvard Square, explore CCAE’s historic home base, meet the artists, and sample some tasty treats.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Eastern Bank for their support in this project!

To learn more about CSArt, visit CCAE’s website or call the registration office 617-547-6789 x1.