Happenings This Weekend & Next Week

September 5: The Fort Point Channel will come alive from 10am to 3pm with The American City Coalition's 6th annual Joy of Kayaking. Welcome Dorchester and Roxbury neighbors! Explore the fun of the waterfront from the Fort Point Pier to the Children's Museum to the ICA, and everywhere in between.

September 5: Live Portrait Demo with "Touches of Gray" Artist Raymond MacDonald will take place from 2pm to 3pm in the Midway Gallery at 15 Channel Center Street.  Whether you are an artist looking to refine your mark-making or simply love watching fine art come to life, this session offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at MacDonald's technique. Sample drawing papers and supplies will be provided for attendees to practice their skill. Stay to explore the full exhibition "Touches of Gray: Portrait Studies in Graphite" in Midway Gallery's Project Room. R.S.V.P.

September 7: Free admission to the ICA & ICA Watershed from 10am to 5pm. Tickets available beginning on Sunday, Sept. 6th at 10am.

September 10: "A Refigured Tarot" Art Opening: Original Paintings by Anthony Apesos. Step into the world of Anthony Apesos’ "A Refigured Tarot", an evocative exhibition featuring all 78 original oil paintings originated for his published tarot deck, from 5pm to 8pm at the Midway Gallery at 15 Channel Center St. R.S.V.P. 

There will be an Artist Presentation: Figure, Landscape, and Narrative by Anthony Apesos on September 17th from 6pm to 7pm in the Midway Gallery. 

September 11: 9/11 Remembrance: 25th Anniversary Exhibition & Community Gathering from 6pm to 8pm at Midway Gallery's Art Under The Stairs. 

Alongside a selection of Mirana Comstock’s 9/11 photographs, Midway Artist Studios invites neighbors and visitors to participate through spoken word and poetry, a community slideshow, and an interactive Remembrance Wall.

• For the Slideshow & Share event, please email digital artwork and photographs to Exhibition Co-Chairs by Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for inclusion in the presentation.
• There will also be an opportunity to share thoughts, memories, and reflections through spoken word and poetry during the evening.
• Paper and markers will be available for guests to express their thoughts, memories, and artistry on the Remembrance Wall.

Art Under the Stairs is a unique art space established by Midway residents in the lower level of Midway Artist Studios. The space provides a place to explore visual and performing arts, foster creativity, and bring community together.

Save the date of September 14th for the Mayor's South Boston Coffee Hour from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Rd.

Sleeper Street Construction

updated 8/24/26: with completed and upcoming work.

In case you missed it, Sleeper Street debuted its new one way route ten days ago plus during construction hours the street will be open to abutters only. 

• On Saturday August 15, 2026, Sleeper Street permanently converted to its one way configuration. Vehicle traffic will flow one-way southbound from Seaport Boulevard towards Congress Street.

• The contractors set up traffic controls and the work zone on the northwest side of Sleeper Street.

• Construction working hours are 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday.

• Sleeper Street is restricted to Abutter Access only during work hours of 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday through the end of construction (November).

• Resident Street Parking will be temporarily restricted during construction and will return after substantial completion later this Fall.

COMPLETED WORK

• The existing curb and sidewalk on the western side of Sleeper has been demolished and excavated.
• The western side of the roadway on Sleeper Street was milled.

Sleeper Street from Congress

    

Sleeper Street Excavation

UPCOMING WORK

• The contractors will continue excavation and backfilling of the western side of Sleeper Street in tandem with the facade construction at the Boston Children’s Museum.
• The schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors. Please observe any posted construction signage. 

To learn more about the details of the final design on Sleeper Street and to sign up for the Fort Point Streets Project newsletter, visit the project website.

originally published 08.25.26

MA State Primary Early Voting Starts This Weekend. Primary Election is September 1st.

State Primary Voting Information: 

Primaries are held in order for political parties to choose their nominees for the general election ballot. The two recognized political parties in Massachusetts are Democratic and Republican. If you’re registered in one party, however, you cannot vote in another party’s primary

Check your voter registration status or Update your address or political party.

Voter Registration Deadline: August 22, 2026

Vote by Mail Application Deadline: 5 p.m., August 25, 2026

Early Voting: August 22 – August 28 (click link for complete list)

• This weekend on Saturday, August 22nd and on Sunday, August 23rd from 11am to 7pm at the Condon School, 200 D Street. 
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday at City Hall from 9am to 5pm.
• Tuesday and Thursday at City Hall from 9am to 8pm. 

Election Day: September 1, 2026  from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

On The Ballot: Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Governor's Council, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Sheriff, and Register of Probate

Sample Ballots: Democratic and Republican

Neighborhood Voting Location: 1 Boston Wharf Rd (corner of Congress & Boston Wharf Rd).

Gillette Buys Back 232 A Street

Gillette completed the purchase of their former parcel at 232 A St for $19.3 million more than the 2021 sale price to Tishman Speyer, securing its headquarters’ presence in Fort Point. 

Tishman Speyer bought 232 A Street through it's life sciences joint venture with Bellco Capital, Breakthrough Properties. The Boston Planning Department Agency Board approved the single-R&D lab and office building with 1.5 acre Binford Park and flood protection in May 2024 . 

It remains to be seen if Gillette will be making any changes to the approved project to accommodate their headquarters that will require filing a Notice of Project Change under the City's Article 80 large project public review process. 

Gillette is continuing to undergo master planning efforts of their 30 acre plant & campus next door. 

In The News 

Gillette buys Fort Point parking lots for new office Boston Globe  August 18, 2026

Breakthrough Properties Completes Sale of Prime South Boston Waterfront Development Site to P&G Gillette | citybiz  August 18, 2026

Gillette Buys Future $1B HQ Site in South Boston - Banker & Tradesman  August 19, 2026

Sleeper Street Goes 1 Way Saturday! No Parking!!

The Sleeper Street work in #FortPoint begins next week with prep work starting Saturday, August 15, 2026  

Key Facts

📍Sleeper St changes to one way from Seaport Blvd to Congress St 

🅿️ Saturday, August 15 NO PARKING begins

➡️ Saturday, August 15 ONE WAY begins

🗓️ Monday, August 17  Construction starts

For project and construction details including the project newsletter sign up, visit the project page.

Fort Point Landmarks August 2026 Meeting

updated 08.11.26: Celine will not be presenting at the August meeting.  

THE FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
will hold a public hearing on:
Thursday, August 13, 2026
6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person.

You can participate in this hearing by going to the Zoom meeting link or by calling 646-828-7666 and entering meeting id165 447 2127 #. You may also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston. 

I.  RATIFICATION OF 7/9/26 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

II. DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

APP # 27.0065 FPC 324 A STREET - WITHDRAWN BY STAFF (tentatively scheduled for September's meeting)
Applicant: James Cochener
Proposed Work: Remove existing awnings, patch and repair brickwork. Remove existing light sconces, patch and repair. Remove existing railing and sculpture. At roof remove existing steel structure and weathervane. Install new illuminated channel letter sign at roof. Install new painted sign, two lightbox signs, and 3 new awnings. Additionally, install new planter boxes at street level and at the underside of windows. Clean and repaint masonry to like new condition, install new light sconces, and paint doors.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW/APPROVAL

APP # 27.0057 FPC 10-30 CHANNEL CENTER STREET: At all elevations: spot pointing open masonry joints, misc. brick replacement on first floor. New brick to match existing. On North and South elevations: repair cracks, remove brick wythe to inspect, clean, and coat structural steel if applicable, reinstall brick wythe, clean, point open stone joints and repair cracks on all stone elements (East and West elevations). Inspect/repair/replace steel lintels as needed on the first floor (East and West Elevations). 

APP # 27.0073 FPC 343 CONGRESS STREET:  Limited Façade Repairs – To match existing: Cut/point specified areas on the Northwest elevation, Cut/point bottom 3’ of brick as needed on the Southwest elevation. Replace spalled brick (Allowance of 25 on each elevation). Clean and coat cast iron shutter hinges and install a soft joint at the metal-to-brick interface on the Northwest elevation Inspect and make safe both Northwest and Southwest elevations.

IV.  Staff Updates

V:  PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:00 PM

Members: Kirsten Hoffman, Sue Goganian, Vacancy, Thomas Rodde, Vacancy Alternates: Vacancy, Raber Umphenour

originally posted 08.03.26

This Week & Next About The Neighborhood

updated 8.6.26 with Boston C-6 Community Officers' Community Day on August 8th. 

On August 5th, the Planning Department is hosting a Public Meeting on Zoning Update to Dimensional Definitions and Code Structure (building height, yards, building lot coverage, etc...) from 6pm to 8pm. 

On August 6th, there are two opportunities to engage with the US Army Corp of Engineers' (USACE) Boston Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) draft report.

• The City of Office of Climate Resilience is hosting a virtual information session at 10am on how to best navigate the USACE CSRM report. 

• The Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) is offering a virtual USACE CSRM report briefing that day from 12pm to 1:30pm. Although the registration form is titled GRC Coastal Resilience Financial Blueprint Briefing, this meeting is about the USACE CSRM report. 

On August 8th, the Midway Gallery invites you to the Opening Reception of American Places, Watercolor paintings of American buildings, coastlines and open landscapes by Lonnie Ash at 6pm. 

Meet the artist, enjoy light refreshments, and experience this thoughtful collection in the Midway Art Tunnel, an intimate and unique gallery space that offers an immersive setting for viewing art.

The exhibition runs through September 27th. The Midway Gallery is located at 15 Channel Center Street. 

Boston Fire Museum Fort Point by Lonnie Ash

Also, on August 8th, the District C-6 Community Service Office is hosting a Community Field Day from 12pm to 4pm at M Street Park. There will be multiple bounce houses, DJ, face painting, ice cream, yard games and even a Cops vs Kids water balloon fight. 

On August 12th, the Environmental Business Council is virtually presenting Massport: Reflections from the Chief Climate & Resilience Officer, Jill Horwood, from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. Massport owns over 300 acres in South Boston. 

On August 13th, the Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission will be meeting. On the agenda is the new Celine Restaurant at 324 A Street (former Blue Dragon location).

originally published .08.03.26

Fort Point Is Alive With Art, Festivities & Dragon Boats

The FPAC Art Space invites you to experience FLOAT, a group exhibition featuring works by Adria Arch, Cicely Carew, Carly Glovinski, Jo Lobdell, and Eva Lundsager, curated by Robin Hauck.

The Opening Reception is July 29th from 6pm to 8pm at 70A Sleeper Street (across from the Barking Crab) 

Inspired by Mary Oliver's poem The Ponds, FLOAT offers a vibrant sanctuary from the weight of everyday life—inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and embrace a sense of wonder as summer transitions into fall. The exhibition runs through August 22, 2026. 

Discover Distillations, a juried exhibition of FPAC member artists exploring the art of refinement, distilling experience, memory, and observation into their most essential forms. 

On view at The Gallery at Atlantic Wharf now through September 25, 2026 with an Opening Reception on July 30th from 5pm to 7pm. 

Presented by FPAC in partnership with BXP/Atlantic Wharf. The Gallery at Atlantic Wharf is located at 290 Congress St.

                                   🎨  🚣🏽‍♂️  🖼️  🎨  🚣🏽‍♂️  🖼️ 🎨  🚣🏽‍♂️  🖼️

On Saturday, August 1st both sides of the Channel on land and water will be alive with art, games and dragon boats. 

Ohana New England presents Beasts from the East Dragon Boat Classic and free Fort Point Festival from 8am to 5pm at 15 Necco Street. Whether you’re racing or spectating, Beasts from the East Classic races bring an unforgettable moment of sport, culture and celebration to Boston and local waters.

Atlantic Wharf is hosting their annual Summer Bash, a free family-friendly celebration featuring live entertainment, waterfront activities, creative experiences, and more, from 10am to 12pm on Waterfront Plaza. Taking place along Boston’s scenic waterfront, this celebration brings together local organizations and activities for visitors of all ages.

The Midway Gallery invites you to the opening of "Touches of Gray: Portrait Studies in Graphite". Be the first to experience a curated selection of portraits drawn from live sessions, capturing the character and individuality of each model through the expressive simplicity of graphite by artist Raymond MacDonald. 

The Opening Reception is August 1st from 3pm to 6pm in the Project Room within Midway Gallery at Midway Artist Studios, 15 Channel Center St.  

The exhibition is on view August 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026.

The Distillery Gallery presents Organs Studios: Viscera Nuda, an immersive exhibition by the eight artists of the Boston-based collective Organs Studios. Using projection, light, sound, performance, large-scale sculpture, and interactive installations, the exhibition transforms the gallery into a journey through the inner workings of a living system. The Opening Reception is August 1st from 7pm to 10pm. The Distillery Gallery is located at 516 East 2nd St.  

The Boston Children’s Museum CreatedBy Festival, offering family focused STEAM activities celebrating making, creativity, and self-expression, takes place this Sunday, August 2nd  from 10am to 3pm. The Festival is free with museum admission. Advance online tickets are encouraged.

Save the date of August 8th for the Opening Reception of American Landscapes by watercolor artist Lonnie Ash at Midway Gallery's Art Tunnel located within Midway Artist Studios at 15 Channel Center Street.

BPS Update on the South Boston High School

Dear South Boston Community,

Last April and again this June, we met with members of the South Boston community to hear your vision for the future of the South Boston High School. One message was clear: families want expanded access to an outstanding Grades 7–12 school that offers strong academics, engaging extracurricular opportunities, and pathways that prepare students for college, careers, and life.

Today, BPS is excited to share an important update on the future of the South Boston High School building. As part of our Long-Term Facilities Plan and in response to community feedback, we are studying the possibility of bringing Boston Green Academy (BGA) back to South Boston. This is an exciting opportunity to welcome back a school with deep roots in the neighborhood while investing in the future of one of Boston’s most historic school buildings.

Over the coming year, we will work closely with students, families, alumni, neighbors, community partners, to shape the educational vision and building design that’s currently in progress. Over the following two years, we will prepare the facility for a tentative opening for the 2028–2029 school year. This fall, we look forward to welcoming you to one of many  community meetings, where you'll have the opportunity to meet BGA Principal Matt Holzer and other members of the BGA community to learn more about the vision for the future of this historic campus.

Sincerely,

Delavern Stanislaus

Chief of Capital Planning

Boston Public Schools

capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org

About The Neighborhood This Week & Next

Interested in learning more about how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in conjunction with the City of Boston is approaching long term flood protection along the Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor? Here are a number of opportunities to engage:

• July 21: USACE Boston CSRM: Open House #1 from 9am to 12pm at 26 Court St, 1^st floor conference room. Join the City of Boston and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to learn about the Coastal Storm Risk Management Draft Report and Public Comment Period.
• July 22: Southie Summer Nights at Moakley Park from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. USACE and City of Boston's Office of Climate Resilience will have a table to inform and answer questions.
• July 23: Virtual Boston Harbor Now/USACE Draft Plan Release Meeting from 8:30am to 10am. Join Boston Harbor Now to hear directly from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on Boston’s Coastal Storm Risk Management Study.
• July 23: A Better City, City of Boston, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Briefing from 1pm to 2:30pm at 26 Court Street, Conference Room 327. Join in person for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Briefing to get the latest updates and insights on their draft report prior to submission to US Congress in 2028.
• July 23: USACE Boston CSRM: Open House #2 from 4pm to 6pm at the New England Aquarium’s Simon Theatre. Join the City of Boston and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to learn about the Coastal Storm Risk Management Draft Report and Public Comment Period.

Other Meetings & Events About The Neighborhood

July 21: BOSTON CIVIC DESIGN COMMISSION at 5pm. Reserved Channel on Agenda B. 

July 21: Which Side Are You On?: A Protest Music Teach-Out at the Opera + Community Studios at Midway Artist Studios, 15 Channel Center. Doors open at 6:30pm and show starts at 8pm.

July 23: Closing Reception of PROGRESSION from 6pm to 8pm at the Midway Gallery's Art Tunnel at 15 Channel Center St. 

July 24: Reserved Channel Master Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report comments due to MEPA Analyst Alexander Strysky.

July 28: 320 Summer Street at Zoning Board of Appeals at 9:30am: 
Purpose : Office to residential conversion with ground floor retail. Conversion of 122,100 sf office building to 145 Dwelling units and 7,500 sf of retail.

BOA-1848595Applicant: HC320 Summer Street, LLC

• ARTICLE 80 Article(s)
• Art. 08 Sec.07 Use: Conditional. MFR is a conditional use in a M 4 District
• Art. 17 Sec. 01 Usable open Space Insufficient. Site has no usable open space. 
• 400 SF required for each unit.
• Art. 32 Sec. 04 GCOD Applicability
• Art. 15 Sec. 01 Floor Area Ratio excessive. Allowed FAR is 4.0. Existing FAR is 6.55. Proposed FAR is 6.91. This further exceeds a non compliant FAR. 

July 29: FPAC Art Space Float Reception: July 29 | 6-8pm FLOAT Reception Tickets, Wednesday, July 29  •  6 PM - 8 PM | Eventbrite

August 1: Near Term Fort Point Channel Resilient Infrastructure. Submit comments via “Share Your Thoughts” section or via email to Benjamin Matusow.

Which Side Are You On?: A Protest Music Teach-Out

Which Side Are You On?: A Protest Music Teach-Out

First Anniversary Celebration

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Show begins at 8 p.m.

Opera + Community Studios

Midway Artist Studios

15 Channel Center Street

PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT

A year ago, James Sullivan and Joyce Linehan enlisted the help of a LOT of talented patriots and started this little happening -- an exploration of protest music, based on James Sullivan's excellent 2019 book on the subject. 

Musicians and other artists, thinkers, and troublemakers gathered to convene once a month around the idea that we are all in this together, and art is essential to resistance.

What emerged is Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out, an experience that is equal parts great music, inspiring ideas, community, and magic.  

The show is sponsored by the ACLU of Massachusetts.

While at Midway Artist Studios, don't miss the final days of EYE OF THE STORM: Photographs of Protest and Resistance, an interactive exhibition of protest, public life, and street activism through the eyes of photographer Mirana Comstock, on display in the Midway Gallery.

Don't Miss Midway Gallery's PROGRESSION Closing Reception July 23rd

The Midway Gallery invites you to the Closing Reception of: 

PROGRESSION

by Olga Shmuylovich

in collaboration with Petra Dankova and the late Nikolay Cherny

July 23, 2026

6pm to 8pm

Film Screening at 7pm

R.S.V.P.

The Art Tunnel @ Midway Gallery

Midway Artist Studios

15 Channel Center Street

“Permanence of Progression is the intrinsic feature of making Art – where ever transubstantiating matter of art-making is artists’ reflection on the world we find ourselves in while being an inseparable part of this world.” — Olga Shmuylovich

Step into PROGRESSION, a site-specific installation by Olga Shmuylovich that strategically utilizes a "tunnel effect" to guide viewers into an enveloping, evolving environment. Viewers will encounter a sequence of expressive gesture sketches on black paper—captured during live figure drawing sessions at Midway—complemented by white paper face reliefs that pull the urgency of the human form directly into the viewer's physical space. At the end of the Art Tunnel under a luminous "EXIT" sign, a structural piece carries a collective human and artistic weight, echoing themes from the artist’s previous projects while simultaneously pulsing with the vibrant energy of current moments and the natural progression of the creator.

Ultimately, PROGRESSION offers a universally soothing reminder that art can ditch the pressure of rigid perfectionism and expectation—exploring the comfort found when the raw, unpolished process of making art becomes the ultimate destination.