This week as we celebrate all things Dorchester, it’s appropriate to consider enterprising local artists who are displaying and selling their works in non-traditional venues at this time of year.

For example, this past weekend residents of the Boston Home raised $7,000 to fund their adaptive arts programming for another year. Assistive technology specialists and occupational therapists coach paralyzed residents on the use of devices like mouth brushes to create paintings. Some 20 of the 28 works hung in their Garden Gallery were sold last week. Program Director Florence Rawls proudly notes that “Every one of our resident artists is a full-fledged member of the Dorchester Arts Collaborative!”

This Saturday (6/6) from 11-3 the Dorchester Park Association and the Friends of the Lower Mills Library will co-sponsor a library fund-raiser, happening at two locations. At the Richmond St. branch itself, there will be a book sale, a silent auction of the usual tickets/baskets/certificates and Dorchester’s version of “The Antiques Roadshow.” For a donation of $5 per item, Lower Millers Robert Ferrini from Dark Horse Antiques and Lynda Watson from Streamline Antiques will appraise items.

Meanwhile, over at the Dorchester Avenue side of Dorchester Park, artists (most of whom live or work nearby) will be selling their work as part of Lower Mills’ first “Arts in the Park” foray. Expect to see Janet Harrold (oil on canvas and blocks), Mike Ritter (photography), Kerry Kenney (jewelry), Sue Duquette (blown glass), Mitchell Karis (oils) and June Alexander (stained glass).

On Thursday, June 18, from 6-9 pm, Four Corners Main Street and the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC) will be hosting their Cafe Four Corners – a one-night outdoor cafe experience with live jazz, spoken word and fine art at a location organizers hope will one day be home to a permanent café. The event is part of the CultureFest09 initiative to bring cultural experiences to Four Corners.

Sleeping Bee jazz trio will start out the evening. Sam Cornish, Boston Poet Laureate, will be doing some spoken word with a young guest from the area. Local artists will display works on the panels used by Codman Square Health Center during Dorchester Open Studios. Among those hoping to sell canvases are Lucilda Dassardo-Cooper, Cagen Luse, Laurence Pierce, and Robert Thornell.

“Café Four Corners is a great opportunity to enjoy three forms of art right in the neighborhood -- and it is one fun way that we are striving to encourage a sense of community in Four Corners!” remarks Shelly Goehring, Executive Director of Four Corners Main Street.

“The idea of Café Four Corners is to bring the vision and vitality of an outdoor eatery to the community,” adds Gail Latimore, Executive Director of the Codman Square NDC. “Last year our first café event that combined food, jazz and local artistry, right on the sidewalk in front of 157 Washington Street, attracted well over 100 visitors.”