Pulse points - alternative artist run spaces

Pulse points - alternative artist run spaces in Greater Boston (updated 3/8/07)

This is an overview of some of the artist-run alternative spaces in the greater Boston area and is not meant to be a conclusive listing.

Written by Kathleen Bitetti- Executive Director of the Artists Foundation
© 1998- 2007 Artists Foundation- may be reproduced for educational purposes with permission from the Artists Foundation

One of the best ways to measure the creative health of a city/metro area is to investigate what I have come to call Pulse Points. These are the places that I first seek out to see exciting contemporary art, to meet local artists, and to measure the creative pulse of the city I am in at the moment. Pulse Points are art spaces, that if one where to try to categorize them, are best described as artist-run alternative spaces. For the purpose of this article, artist-run alternative spaces are being loosely defined as "spaces" which: regularly hold ongoing exhibitions (which tend to be free or at least inexpensive); are open to the general public; are not considered commercial galleries; are artist(s)-run and are often artist(s)-founded. (Note: cafes, clubs and restaurants that sponsor exhibitions/programs are not going to be included in this article for they deserve their own article and will be part of a new section of our web site to be launched in the near future).

These Pulse Points are critical links in the so called "food chain" of the art world. These are the spaces where many of the artists exhibiting in museums and/or the commercial galleries had their first shows. Many of these spaces offer programming beyond visual art exhibitions. They also feature performance art, film/video screenings, poetry readings, live music, lectures, art classes and gallery talks. It should be stressed that the vast majority of these art spaces are run on the blood, sweat, and tears of a handful of dedicated individuals. Many of these spaces are in need of donations, volunteers and board members. Of course there are some obvious ways to support these spaces. The first is to buy the art work on exhibit (if it is for sale) and the second is to join the organization if it is a membership based art space/organization (those that are membership based will be identified as such in this article). If you find a space you really like, please inquire about how you can help to sustain it.

Finding these Pulse Points can be an adventure in and of itself. Pulse Points, are not usually listed in any guide that is of considerable expense to the space placing the ad (i.e. gallery guide). Instead, one will find these alternative spaces listed in the free listing sections of local papers and arts publications. I usually find that those who run these spaces are very friendly and open to questions and conversation. Often it is best to visit one of the Pulse Points and ask those working there what other art spaces are worth visiting. This is also one of the best ways to meet artists from the local area. And contrary to belief, the Boston area alternative art scene is a very stable one. Half of the alternative art spaces have been in existence for well over 5 years. For your convenience, the Pulse Points are arranged in this article by geographic location. Also included is information on how the spaces review proposals/slides. It is always best, however, to call the space first before you send an unsolicited packet. And even though the majority of the Pulse Points are stable, it is always best to call before one makes the trip to the site.

FORT POINT

Mobius* 374 Congress St. 5th fl. Boston (617)542-7416. (MBTA Red Line South Station)

Mobius, established in 1977, is one of the oldest artists run organizations in the country. It is dedicated to to experimental work in all media (sound art, performance, installation, dance, experimental theater and multi-media work). Mobius is run by the Mobius Artists Group and features their work as well as work by local, regional, national and international artists. Presently they are presenting exhibitions, events and performances at other venues. (Call for how to submit proposals for shows/performances).

Fort Point Art Community Gallery (FPAC)* 300 Summer St. Boston (617) 423-4299 (MBTA Red Line South Station). The FPAC Gallery was established in 1996. It is located in one of the most interesting artist live/work buildings in the area. The FPAC gallery presents six week group exhibitions of two or more artists based on a theme or concept. Proposals for shows are reviewed once a year and one must use their proposal form. Also notable is the always pleasing 300 Summer St Cafe on the same floor as the gallery. Gallery hours are Mondays-Fridays 10-3 and Saturdays 12-5. (FPAC is a membership organization)

Studio Soto * 63 Melcher St. Boston (617) 426-7686 (MBTA Red Line South Station). This space was founded in 2000 by Gustavo Soto Rosa and Francis X Scire. The space is dedicated to showing work in all disciplines and encourages work that is crosses and combines disciplines. The space is one of the few that shows both Massachusetts artists and artists from all over the world with a focus on artists from South America. They also host poetry readings, music events and even screen films. They are also open to project proposed by guest curators. Call for their policy on reviewing. Hours Th-Fri 6-9 and Sat 2-5pm during a run of a show.

(*all within walking distance of each other)

SOUTH BOSTON
(by car these sites are very close to those spaces in the Fort Point area)

Artists Foundation* Galleries and Video Room 516 East Second St South Boston (617) 464-3561. This space is also located in the Distillery Building. The Artists Foundation has been in existence for over 30 years. The exhibition site in the Distillery was opened in April of 1997 and features the only video room in the Boston area. Although there has been several group shows at the site, the focus has been mainly on six week one person shows of Massachusetts artists working in all media. Gallery hours are Saturdays 12-5 and by appointment. Call before sending unsolicited proposals/slides or video tapes/DVDs.

Second Gallery *516 East Second St South Boston (617) 413-9395. Info from their website: Second Gallery aims to be an exciting alternative contemporary arts space in the city of Boston. We are most interested in work that engages new approaches to subject matter and media, especially work that remains underrepresented in commercial galleries such as installation, video, performance, and new media. Second Gallery specializes in,though not exclusively,the exhibition of three-dimensional and emerging media. Submission guidelines are on their website. Hours are Wed-Sat 12-6pm

Distillery Gallery *516 East Second St South Boston Show the work only of the artists who work and live in the Distillery Building.

(*All within walking distance of each other)

SOUTH END

Kingston Gallery* 450 Harrison Ave. Boston MA (617) 423-4113. (MBTA: Orangeline: Back Bay or Redline: Broadway). The Kingston Gallery founded in 1982 was originally located on Kingston St. in China Town. It moved to its present site in 1997. It is an artists’ cooperative that features three week shows of work by its members. The members work on the whole is very challenging and interesting. It does, however, have a small gallery for exhibitions by artists who are not members. Regular gallery hours are Wed-Sat 12-5pm. Call for information on how to join the cooperative or to show in the small gallery.

Bromfield Art Gallery* 450 Harrison Ave (617) 451-3605. (MBTA: Orangeline: Back Bay or Redline: Broadway). The Bromfield Art Gallery, over 25 years old and an artists’ cooperative, also took its name from the original street it was founded on. It moved in fall of 1996 to the South End. It currently has 17 members and also has a visiting artist program. The work of the members ranges from traditional to non traditional. Hours are Wed-Sat 12-5pm, closing two weeks in August. Call for information on how to join the cooperative and for info on the visiting artist program.

Boston Sculptors Gallery* 486 Harrison Ave (617) 482-7781. (MBTA: Orangeline: Back Bay or Redline: Broadway). This gallery is a cooperative gallery for sculptors and only shows sculpture. It was founded in 1992 in Newton and recently moved its operations to the South End in 2004. Currently it has 28 members. Call for information on how to join the cooperative. Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm.

Gallery 535* 535 Albany St., 4th Fl. (617) 357-0623. (MBTA: Orangeline: Back Bay). This space was founded by artist Jo Ann Rothschild to show contemporary work that isn't being shows in other spaces. Call for hours and submission guidelines.

Space Other* 63 Wareham Street Boston (617) 451-1143 Established in 2005 this space was founded" to promote emerging artists by fostering links to an international network of well known and emerging curators, art historians, academics, collectors, and writers". Call for Hours

Mills Gallery/Boston Center for the Arts* 539 Tremont St. (617) 426-5000. (MBTA: Orangeline: Back Bay or Redline: Broadway). This gallery is one of the premiere places to see contemporary art in Boston. Gallery Director Laura Donaldson is at the helm of this organization. The programing consists of shows she has curated as well as shows organized by guest curators. They now have a project room and will soon launch a video room! See their guide to submissions on their web site. Hours: Wed & Thurs 12-5pm, Fri & Sat 12-10pm & Sun 12-5pm

Piano Factory 491 Tremont St. Boston (617) 437-9365. (MBTA Orange Line Mass Ave.) This space was established in 1974 with the opening of the Piano Factory- one of the first residential artists buildings in the country. It is run by the tenants of the Piano Factory and has one month shows that range from one person to group shows. The gallery is open to all types of work, special events and "Happenings". Call for hours and for the policy on how to submit proposals/slides.

(*All within walking distance of each other)

NEW MARKET/ROXBURY

Hall Space 31 Norfolk Ave. (617) 989-9985. (MBTA Orange Line- Mass Ave. then take the #1 Bus) This charming gallery was established in September of 1996 to feature emerging artists from the area who are not represented by a commercial gallery. It relocated from the South End to the New Market area- near the Boston Medical Center. Shows run from one to two months. The programing is usually comprised of one person shows, but there have been several group shows based on a theme or concept. Please call for hours and before sending slides/proposals. Check the Map on its web site for better directions. Hours Fri & Sat 12-5pm

Berwick Research Institute 14 Palmer Street, Roxbury. (617) 442-4200 (MBTA Orange Line- Ruggles) This space was founded in January of 2000 and originally was presenting exhibition and events of all media. Presently they are focusing on an artists in research program (a residency type program) and they often put out a call for artists for this program. See their website for more information on how to apply.

EAST BOSTON

Atlantic Works Gallery Meridian House, 80 Boarder St. (617) 720-1646 (MBTA Blue Line: Maverick). This space is run much like a collaborative. Presently they have 29 members and on their web site is a exhibition application form. It is worth checking out. Call for hours.

JAMAICA PLAIN

Axiom Green Street MBTA Station (617) 513-6375.
(MBTA Orange Line Green St) This gallery is the only true public gallery site in the Boston area. The glass walled gallery, located inside of the Green St. MBTA Station, shows media based/new media work. It is an artist run space. They have exhibited one person shows, group shows, traveling shows and have presented shows by guest curators. Call for Hours.

CAMBRIDGE

Art Interactive*130 Bishop Allen Drive (617) 498-0100. (MBTA: Red Line Central Square) This space was founded in 2001 and its mission is to show work that is technology based and/or participatory in some way. Usually they have shows that are curated by guest curators or are organized by the space's curatorial committee. Call for submission policy. Hours are Thurs, Sat, & Sun 12-6pm

Cambridge Arts Council Gallery* 344 Broadway (617) 349-4380. (MBTA: Red Line Central Square) This gallery was recently renovated this year (2004). They exhibit work by local, regional and national artists. They also presents shows organized by guest curators. Call for submission information. Hours: Tue-Wed 8:30-5pm, Thurs 8:30-8pm, Fri 8:30am-noon. They do not have weekend hours.

Zeitgeist* 186 Hampshire St. Inman Square (617) 876-6060. (MBTA: Red Line Central Square) Zeitgeist was founded in the fall of 1994. The focus has been on one person shows with some group shows from time to time. This exciting space in the summer months also organizes great large scale community based events of performances, film screenings, live music, etc.. Call for submission policies & hours.

(*All within walking distance of each other)

BROOKLINE

Gallery Artist Studio Projects (GASP) 363 Boylston St. Brookline (617) 731-2500. (MBTA: Greenline D Brookline Hills). This great space was founded by artist Magdalena Camps-Pons. It shows the works of international artists, local and regional artists. Call for submissions guidelines. Gallery hours: Thurs-Sat 11-5pm.

MALDEN

ArtSpace@16 16 Princeton Road, Malden, MA 02148. (781) 321-8058. (MBTA Orangeline: Oak Grove) This site, established in 2000, is an artist run space that is very community based. They often have calls for entries and for proposals by guest curators. Their regular gallery hours are Saturdays 12-5pm when an exhibition is up. Check their web site for more info on submission policies.

SOMERVILLE

Brickbottom Gallery 1 Fitchburg St., Somerville. (617) 776-3410 (MBTA Greenline Lechmere). This site, established in 1988, is located in an artists live/work building. This site, established in 1988, is located in an artists live/work building. The gallery has featured one person shows and large group shows of artists at all stages of their careers. There have also been performances/special events of all kinds at the gallery. Call for directions, hours and information on how to submit proposals.[Note: "T" service to Lechmere is suspended until Spring ¹05. Instead, transfer to a shuttle bus for Lechmere from Government Center, Haymarket, or North Station].

Nave Gallery Claredon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Boulevard, Somerville, 02144. (617) 625-4823 (MBTA Redline:Davis Square) This new gallery is a collaboration between Artsomerville and the Claredon Hill Presbyterian Church. It is staffed completely by volunteers. It is a venue for local and regional artists. Artists interested in exhibiting should first see the guidelines the organization's guest curators program. It is available on their web site. Gallery hours Thursday 4-8pm and Sat 1-5pm.

ALTERNATIVE SPACES OUTSIDE OF GREATER BOSTON (Commuter Rail access/car)

ESSEX ART CENTER 56 Island St. Lawrence, MA 01840. (978) 685-2343. (MBTA Commuter Rail: Haverhill Line) This art center has two galleries; The Main Gallery and the Beland Gallery (which is more the size of a project space). The EAC has been exhibiting some really interesting artists and organizing group shows as well. The Beland Gallery has been focusing on emerging artists and artists who work in new media and are exploring non-traditional art forms. Call for submission policies and hours.

ALTERNATIVE SPACES WITHOUT WALLS

(These organizations do not have a regular space they program in, but they do regular programing in public sites and in other art spaces)

VIDEOSPACE (617) 524-2109

VideoSpace, established in 1991, became an artists’ collective in 1995. VideoSpace has presented more than 40 shows of video art in the New England area. These shows are usually curated around a theme or concept and are programmed during the spring and fall months. VideoSpace presents their screenings/shows in collaboration with other cultural organizations. The collective actively seeks other media artists and members of different communities to guest curate shows or to submit work. VideoSpace accepts show proposals and videos on an ongoing basis. It is the only artist-run organization dedicated to film and video. Screenings are always stimulating and affordable. For the last couple of years they have been collaborating with the Judi Rottenberg Gallery on Newbury Street/Boston to present exhibitions. Call for the calendar of video shows and for submission information.

BOSTON CYBERARTS FESTIVAL (617) 524-2109

The Boston Cyberarts Festival was founded in 1999 and is a biannual two week or so event that is held in the Spring (end of April-May). The festival is organized by Boston Cyberarts, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the presentation and exploration of artists working with new technologies. The Boston Cyberarts Festival is an international biennial festival of art and technology in all media. The next festival will take place April 22 through May 8, 2005. It will include visual and performing arts and explore how artists throughout the world are using computers to advance traditional artistic disciplines and create new interactive worlds. They also have a great web site that has a database of opportunities for artists and art presenters that are working in/presenting new technologies.

RECLAMATION ARTISTS
Reclamation Artists, established in 1991, is comprised of a group of Boston based artists and architects who create site-specific outdoor temporary art installations in marginalized/overlooked public spaces. It is a membership based organization and is open to any artists interested in participating in their installations. It is the only organization in the area that does this type of exciting work. One of their long term goals is to establish a permanent Boston site for experimental outdoor art. Call for more information and to join. Call Leslie Wilcox for more info:(617) 423-6429.