Thursday, April 29, 2010

Opening Tonight: Sprawl


The FPAC Gallery at 300 Summer Street Presents:
Sprawl
resa blatman / courtney jordan / lalie schewadron

April 23 - May 28, 2010

Reception with the Artists: Thursday, April 29th, 6-8pm


Artist Talk: "The Artist as Evolutionist & Futurist," 
Saturday, May 1st, 7pm
           
                                               
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survive.  It is the one that is the most adaptable to change."  -Charles Darwin


Sprawl is a mixed media exhibition of invented realities, alternative landscapes, and urban structures in various stages of evolution and decay.  It investigates contemporary utopian visions of the natural, urban, and scientific, through the filter of art and technology.  Past, present, and future collide in Sprawl, to reveal unexpected configurations and combinations of evolutionary possibility.

This exhibition features the work of Resa Blatman, Courtney Jordan, and Lalie Schewadron.  Diversified in source material, media, and modes of  representation, their independent approaches are bound by an exploration into the sprawling evolution of real and imagined spaces.

Resa Blatman's lavishly painted flora and fauna seduce the viewer with a bounty of feminine ripeness and sensuality.  Life abounds in these imagined worlds, creating a picture of abundance and beauty mixed with dark undertones.  To underscore the concept of lushness and sensuality, Blatman has broken out of the rectangular picture plane to make complex cut surfaces, and paintings that are untamed and growing out of control.  Blatman received her MFA in painting from Boston University in 2006.  She exhibits her work at museums and colleges throughout New England, and was a recent nominee for the Boston ICA James and Audrey Foster Prize.  Resa is a part-time Professor at the Massachusetts College of Art.  Please visit www.resablatman.com. 

Courtney Jordan uses exploding and converging urban spaces, architecture, and infrastructure to re-imagine our human-built environment, where past and future coexist.  She fragments architectural and industrial forms into multiple planes of space that seem as if propelled by the paradoxical energies of the contemporary world.  Her structures exist in a precarious balance between their past origins and a seemingly possible evolutionary future.  Jordan received her MFA in 2006 from the Maryland Institute College of Art's Hoffberger School of Painting.  She is currently a part-time Professor at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA, and is represented by Irvine Contemporary in Washington, DC.  Please visit  www.courtneyjordan.net

Lalie Schewadron uses video and digital media to create representational models that speak of perpetual movement and unrestricted growth.  Images from the natural world are broken down into small 'fractal units,' combined with video work, and then digitally programmed with shape algorithms and random scripts.  These animated worlds exist in a constant state of regeneration and flux - a fragile equilibrium made of temporary encounters whose parts can evolve or decay at any moment in time.  Schewadron received her MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, London, following a Master of Science from Boston University.  Born in Tel Aviv, she currently works in Boston and Lausanne, and is represented by Lucy Mackintosh Gallery.  Please visit www.lalies.net.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Mayor Menino's Coffee Hour, Friday

Mayor Menino’s
12th Annual Neighborhood Coffee Hour

Friday, April 30th, 2010
9:30-10:30AM
Medal of Honor Park
(M Street Park)
South Boston

 For more information, please call Casey Flynn-Hines, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, 635.2680

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BCEC Community Mtg, 4/2

State of the BCEC & the MCCA’s Top 5 Initiative

Community Room
(Thompson Design)
35 Channel Center Street
South Boston, MA
Tuesday | May 4, 2010, 6-8 PM

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the MCCA’s Robert O’Shea at 617-954-2328 or roshea@massconvention.com.

Friday, April 23, 2010

East and West First Street Planning Meetings

The Boston Redevelopment Authority will host a series of community events to discuss the planning of

East & West First Street
South Boston


Walking Tour
Monday, May 3rd (Rain date: May 4)
5:30 PM - Corner of West Second St. & B Street


Charrette
Wednesday, May 5th
6 PM -Tynan School, 650 W Fourth Street


Charrette
Saturday, May 8th
9 AM-12 PM - Lithuanian Club, 368 W Broadway

The BRA will host a walking tour of the First Street Corridor in preparation for two community wide charrettes. The identical charrettes will be held at different times to accommodate varied schedules and provide the opportunity for community members to weigh in on planning issues along the First Street Corridor. Topics will include pedestrian access and traffic management, open space and public realm, urban design and development, and land uses.

If you have any questions regarding the meeting, please contact:
Valerie Gingrich, Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square, 9th Floor
phone: 617.918.4292
email: Valerie.Gingrich.VRA@CityofBoston.gov

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Boston Shines Saturday, Please Come!

It's that time of year again.  Thanks to Cam for organizing again.  It's always a good time and the neighborhood looks great afterwards.   Photos from last year's Boston Shines.


-----





Saturday, April 24th
Starting at 9 am

2 meeting locations: Barlow’s and 300 Summer St.

4pm after party at Wormwood Park




Goodies from Flour Cafe, Franklin Cafe, Mamtaz Gourmet, Sagarinos, Southie Liquors, and Sportello.
Additional support from USPS, Cheryl Tougias, Pat Costa.


Questions or suggestions? Please email: cam.zin@verizon.






Monday, April 19, 2010

FPAC's Art Walk 2010

Twice each year the artists of Fort Point invite the public to visit our studios. Open Studios is an opportunity visit studios, meet artists, and see the work in the environment where it was created. Most of the artwork you see is available for purchase.

Visitors to Open Studios pick up a map and directory brochure, and can walk from building to building, exploring our historic warehouse neighborhood.

All Open Studios Events are free to the public, with free parking.




10th Annual Fort Point Arts Community
ART WALK
Spring Open Studios Weekend
May 7, 8 and 9
Friday 4-7pm
Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm

Food and Art at Midway, 5/8-9

As part of Art Walk, Krina Patel is organizing a set of readings/performances about food and memory:
  • Stir A Memory: Works on food and memory by Midway Residents. Open May 7th, 8th, and 9th in the Midway Studios Building Lobby (15 Channel Center St.) 
  • Fort Point Theatre Channel: Readings/Performances on the theme of food and memory. Saturday May 8th, 4 PM 
  • Krina Patel: Food tastings and art activities on the theme of food and memory, on May 9th starting at noon in the Midway Studios Building Lobby.


Sunday, April 18, 2010

BOST INDUST AL RE ATE

The Boston Wharf Company sign hasn't held up well to the stormy Spring:

Barbara Lynch's Menton Opens

Menton is now up and running in the first floor of FP3, at 354 Congress St.  It features a 4 course Prix Fixe for $95 and a 7 course tasting menu for $145. 




Wednesday, April 14, 2010

José L. Santos Opening at 35 CC



Spring Into It: New Works by José L. Santos
Meet the artist and enjoy refreshments this Thursday

Opening Reception: Thursday April 15, 2010
time:
5:00-7:30pm
location: 35 Channel Center Street lobby

This show is a part of FPAC's ongoing art lending program with our neighbors at 35 Channel Center. José L. Santos' work is on display though the end of July and can also be viewed by appointment.
 

 

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Watercolor Seminar, 4/18 at Studio School


Fort Point Studio School is pleased to offer:
Watercolor & Wet Mixed Media with Jacob Higginbottom
Sunday, April 18, 2010, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (1 hour break for lunch)
Workshop Fee: $150.00  
Materials Provided
All levels welcome
PDPs available for MA educators

Join us for a fun, exploratory class intended to demystify the intimidating reputation of watercolor and free you up to create dramatic flowing landscape paintings you can be proud of.

In this one-day workshop we will explore methods of creating landscape compositions in the controlled atmosphere of the studio giving students the opportunity to concentrate on larger pieces and experiment with a variety of techniques. We will be working from photographs, selected by students from their own photos or photos will be provided by the instructor.


For additional images of Jacob’s work please visit:

For a complete course description click here:
Discounted parking available. For directions to FPSS click here:
For information on how to register click here:

Fort Point Studio School
Studio 41
249 A Street Artist's Cooperative
Boston, MA 02210
617-451-2358
www.fortpointstudioschool.com
 

Monday, April 05, 2010

Don't Get Towed: Street Cleaning Starting

Street cleaning begins tomorrow (Wednesday) on A St.   Don't forget to move your car and remember to start checking the signs.

Fort Point Landmark District Hearing, 4/8


 
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
 
The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:
 

DATE:                                Thursday April 8, 2010

TIME:                                 5:00 P.M.
PLACE:                              BOSTON CITY HALL, ROOM 801
 
Subject of the hearing will be applications for Certificates of Design Approval on the agenda below, reviews of architectural violations, and such businesses as may come before the commission, in accordance with Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended.  Applications are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Environment Department.  Sign language interpreters are available upon request. 
 
Please ensure that all electronic devices are silenced prior to entering the hearing room.
 
After 5:30 p.m., enter and exit City Hall at the Dock Square entrance on Congress Street (across from Faneuil Hall).
 
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE APPLICANT ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
 
FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
 David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Yanni Tsipis, Michele Yeeles
Alternates: B.K. Boley, Kosta Ligris
 
 
DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATIONS
 
5:00 pm
Application: 10. 1067 FPC               368 Congress Street
Applicant:                                          Steve Brooks, CFS Seaport LLC: The applicant is requesting an extension of the Certificate of Appropriateness for temporary signage on the Congress Street Façade regarding application 09.1134 FPC. 
 
5:15 pm
Application: 10.1069 FPC                332-340 Summer Street
Applicant:                                          Fort Point Realty Group Trust, Edward A. Gottlieb: Installation of 6 concrete planters at frontage of a surface parking lot.
 
5:40 pm
Application: 10.1070 FPC                Corner of A and Binford streets
Applicant:                                          Channel Center Holdings/VAF, LLC, Richard Galvin: Construction of a park.
 
 
 
VIOLATION
6:10 pm                                              319A Street
.                                                               Installation of unauthorized signage and lighting on A Street façade. 
 
 
PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 6:20 p.m.
Date posted: March 26, 2010
 
cc:  Mayor, Inspectional Services Department, City Clerk, Boston Redevelopment Authority, Applicants,
District City Councilors, Neighborhood Services, Property Owners, Law Department, Abutters (from most recent tax list)
 
For additional information, please contact Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission staff at 617-635-3850 or caitlin.greeley@cityofboston.gov

Friday, April 02, 2010

Boston Magazine on Fort Point

Lofts to Talk About

Catching up with the ongoing renewal of Fort Point.

Posted on 3/29/10  







http://www.bostonmagazine.com/issues/articles/lofts_to_talk_about/




BEFORE THE RECENT ECONOMIC TROUBLES presented themselves, optimistic Bostonians fully expected Fort Point to bust out as the South End’s edgier cousin — its brick-and-beam-loft dwellers were sure to fast-track an array of exciting retail ventures, not to mention a vibrant, gritty-glam nightlife scene. But just because Fort Point isn’t yet a replica of New York’s Tribeca doesn’t mean it’s DOA. “We’re all disappointed that the economic scene didn’t allow quick development,” says Vivien Li, executive director of the Boston Harbor Association. “On the other hand, anytime something new opens, it’s huge.”

In fact, much is percolating in Fort Point. The city of Boston has 41 million square feet of development now under review, approved, or in construction, and 42 percent of that real estate is located here. And artsy it may stay, thanks to a few key players who are keeping prices down in order to lure cool kids to the channel. Case in point: this month’s opening of chichi Louis Boston on Fan Pier. It wouldn’t have happened without developer Joe Fallon, overlord of 21 precious waterfront acres, who made a sweetheart deal with owner Debi Greenberg to woo her away from Newbury Street and other prospective locations by promising a tailor-made, albeit “temporary,” new building. (Fallon’s master plan shows a residential tower on that site — presumably Louis’s permanent home will anchor the lower floors once it’s built.) With Louis Boston in place, the upper crust can browse modern art at the nearby ICA (free on Thursday evenings), then treat themselves to an appointment atSalon Mario Russo after perusing the racks. 



Meanwhile, Young Park of Berkeley Investments made sure his recently completed FP3 condo project on Congress Street offers plenty of lower-priced studio units to attract members of the creative class. The building is expected to win FHA approval shortly, meaning buyers will be able to finance these units with government-backed loans up to $523,750 with only 3.5 percent down. It was also Park who lured chef-restaurateur Barbara Lynch to Fort Point with a great bargain on space for SportelloDrink, and her new upscale restaurantMenton, opening later this spring. Similarly, Park coaxed Joanne Chang to start up a branch of her bakery,Flour, on Farnsworth Street in 2007.

Although developer Tony Goldman, who has a portfolio of nine buildings on Melcher and A streets, is occasionally demonized for displacing Fort Point’s artist population, he’s making good by offering “boutique office space” at $20 per square foot. It’s not class-A space (Ropes & Gray won’t be relocating here anytime soon), but the elevators work, and the lobbies are graffiti-free. Once designers, software startups, architects, and retailers set up offices here, Goldman plans to develop a hip residential component to match, the first piece of which will be a 180-foot tower at 319 A Street Rear, now in the approval process. And as the ranks of the local population swell, expect to see more restaurants like Barlow’s, which opened on A Street in January, serving up midprice fare for neighborhood residents, the lunch crowd, and commuters using the Boston Harbor Water Taxi.

“It’s a seven-to-10-year cycle,” says Albert Price, managing director of Goldman Properties. “Fix up the buildings to get the creative businesses in, develop retail at the ground level, and residential will follow.”