Happenings Around The Neighborhood This Week & Next

Don't miss these April happenings around the neighborhood.

April 22: Sustainable Photography Opening Reception from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Midway Gallery, 15 Channel Center St. The exhibition showcases a series of works representing environmental landscapes by photographer Mona Miri. 

April 24: Shifting Tides Opening Reception from 5pm to 7pm at The Gallery at Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress St. Artists straddle their ability to see beauty deeply while nonetheless recognizing the vulnerability of our natural environment. The show is curated by scientist Judy Galvin and Fort Point artist Dorothea Van Camp.

April 25: Microplastics and The Human Body, a talk by Dr. Bridget Lee on why plastics are a large part of climate change, how we became dependent on plastics in our world and how they are appearing in our bodies. The talk will take place at 630pm at the FPAC Art Space, 70 Sleeper St. The talk is free to the public thanks to the support of a generous private donor. 

April 26: A Marked Man in the Neighborhood, an evening of short films by Rocco Giuliano: writer/star/host, Henry Dane: producer/director, and Gino Mauro: videographer/editor/producer at the FPAC Art Space, 70 Sleeper Street. Doors open at 6pm. Screenings are from 7pm to 8;30pm. Space is limited. RSVP for these free screenings. 

April 29: FPNA April Gathering featuring Resilient Fort Point Channel Updates in conversation with the City of Boston's Director of the Office of Climate Resilience Chris Osgood, Boston Water & Sewer Commission's Chief Engineer John Sullivan and Boston Children's Museum's VP of External Relations & Corporate Development Charlayne Murrell-Smith. 

Fort Point Celebrates Earth Month On Both Sides Of The Channel

Spring is here. It is the perfect time to go out an explore our world and see how artists perceive environmental impacts and beauty.

April 12: Earth Month: Environmental Awareness Gallery Stroll and Reception* from 4:30pm to 8pm. Celebrate our planet by strolling Fort Point's local galleries and view artwork from over 20 artists in multiple mediums. Keep your eyes out for public art too. The Gallery Stroll will start at the Midway Gallery at 15 Channel Ctr. St, and continue to the Gallery at 249 A Street, 259 A Street Gallery ending with a reception at the FPAC Art Space. The exhibition is curated by Liliana Folta and made possible with support by a generous private donor and FPAC. *Please note that the stroll will take place rain, flurries or shine. 

April 22: Sustainable Photography Opening Reception from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Midway Gallery, 15 Channel Center St. The exhibition showcases a series of works representing environmental landscapes by photographer Mona Miri. 

April 24: Shifting Tides Opening Reception from 5pm to 7pm at The Gallery at Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress St. Artists straddle their ability to see beauty deeply while nonetheless recognizing the vulnerability of our natural environment. The show is curated by scientist Judy Galvin and Fort Point artist Dorothea Van Camp.

April 25: Microplastics and The Human Body, a talk by Dr. Bridget Lee on why plastics are a large part of climate change, how we became dependent on plastics in our world and how they are appearing in our bodies. The talk will take place at 630pm at the FPAC Art Space, 70 Sleeper St. The talk is free to the public thanks to the support of a generous private donor. 

A Look At Happenings Starting Today

updated 3/20: Please not that FPNA will not be hosting their Neighborhood Gathering this month. FPNA encourages you to participate in the many events occurring in and about the neighborhood for the remainder of the month. 

3/19: MA ResilientCoasts  Draft Plan Final Office hours from 4pm to 5pm.  Register.

3/19:  Mayor Wu's State of the City at 7pm. Watch the livestream from the comfort of your own home.

3/20: FPAC cordially invites you to the closing reception of "Almost Somewhere", an exhibition exploring shifting realities and the fleeting nature of memories from a collection of local Boston artists from 5pm to 7pm at the Gallery at Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress St. 

3/20: Abutters Meeting 51 Sleeper Street Little Wolf Coffee at 6:30pm
seeking a new Common Victuallers License
Join Zoom Meeting:

Meeting ID: 842 0191 8779

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3/22: Our neighbors at FP3 cordially invite you to the opening of Bay Village: Carved Out of Darkness by photographer Bill Ravanesi from 4pm to 6pm at the FP3 Gallery located at 346 Congress Street.

3/24: City Council Committee On City Services And Innovation Technology Hearing on Docket #0418 at 10am, a hearing to discuss the status of the South Boston Branch Library Study, at 10am. Councilor Ed Flynn welcomes public or written testimony. 

    

3/25: City Council Committee On Government Operations Hearing on Docket #0337, a hearing to review the operations of the City of Boston Planning Department established in 2024 at 11am

3/25: Please note FPNA will not be hosting a Neighborhood Gathering this month.

3/31: City Council Committee On Environmental Justice, Resiliency, And Parks Hearing on Docket #0169, a hearing regarding the implementation and funding of coastal resilience strategies and the establishment of a climate bank at 10am.  Councilor Coletta Zapata's welcomes public or written testimony. 

Mark your calendars for:

• "EARTH MONTH: Environmental Awareness", curated by Liliana Folta is coming to the FPAC Art Space April 1 - April 30
• Love Your Block Volunteer Beautification Days May 4th and May 5th. Contact FPNA to join our Beautification Committee or to volunteer at one of the events.

originally posted 3.19.25

Fort Point Open Studios This Weekend

Fort Point Open Studios is this weekend! Come explore the art being created behind the doors of our historic waterfront warehouses and meet local artists, craftspeople and performers. Find established artists and discover new emerging talents. Immerse yourself in a captivating array of artwork. Buy original art directly from the people who make it. (There are only 76 shopping days until the holidays.)

Fort Point Open Studios is free and open to public. It takes place:

• Friday, October 13, 2023 from 4pm to 7pm (select studios)
• Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 11am to 5pm
• Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 11am to 5pm

Fort Point will be alive with art, music, demonstrations, performances and public art.

Numerous Studios will be open in the neighborhood. 

The Artist Building at 300 Summer

The Muse (formerly Factory 63) at 63 Melcher St.

249 A Street Artists Cooperative including the 249 A Street Open Studios Artists Group Show at The Gallery at 249A

Midway Studios including Midway Open Studios Artists Group Show at the Midway Gallery at 15 Channel Center St

More Galleries

Atlantic Wharf presenting "Unearth" at 290 Congress St.

Assemblage Art Space presents FPAC Members Annual Open Studios Showcase at 70a Sleeper St (across from the Barking Crab at the Envoy Hotel).

Special Events

The Muse (63 Melcher St.) is hosting live music performances and a wine tasting. 

• On Saturday, Thomas Collum (violin, classical) at 2pm, Hua Ye /Jane (host, piano solo, classical) at 3pm and Joanna Lee (flute, classical) at 4pm. 
• On Sunday, Guillermo del Angel (cello, classical) at 2pm, Madeleine Farmer (vocal, pop) at 3pm and Hua Ye /Jane (host, piano solo, classical) at 4pm. 

Midway Studios (15 Channel Center St)

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is offering family-friendly performances, demonstrations, and a showcase of work by Midway community artists. Programs will take place both indoors (Fort Point Lyric Room #102) and outdoors on BLO's Street Stage. 

Saturday

• Stage performances every half hour from 12pm to 3:30pm (rain date is Sunday) 
• BLO Demonstrations every half hour from 12:3pm to 3pm at Fort Point Lyric Room. 
• Special Guest:  Sharon Montella, Midway Studios’ dancer, choreographer and World Champion Black Belt in the dance-like form of Chinese Kung Fu, will perform her creative choreography at 3pm  
• Hansel & Gretel at 3:30pm for children aged 5 to12 years old.

 Sunday

• Fort Point Lyric Room Performances every half hour from12:30pm to 4pm.

Studio Troika is creating architectural experiences through virtual reality and is using Legos for model making (Saturday and Sunday in room 104).  On Saturday only, there will be an Architectural Wheel of Fortune. Come guess the correct architectural style to win a prize! 

For more details, visit Fort Point Open Studios 2023 or take a sneak peak at the digital Fort Point Open Studios program . 

Fort Point Open Studios is accessible by public transit from South Station, West Broadway  and the Silver line Courthouse station. Free parking is available at the Channelside lot (244 A Street). Open Studios parking passes can be found in the Open Studios program, which are available at any of the artist buildings or the information booth located at 241 A Street (Barlow’s Restaurant patio).

For over forty years, the the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) and the artists of Fort Point have welcomed visitors into their live-work studios annually to share the arts, industry, and creative culture of this unique community. To learn more about the history of artists in the neighborhood and the history of Fort Point, read A Short History of Fort Point by Don Eyles including Fort Point: A Brief History by the Seaport Alliance for Neighborhood Design.

The Women of 249 A Street

The Gallery at 249 A proudly presents "The Women of 249 A Street", a group show of 19 women artists. You are cordially invited to the art opening on: 

Thursday, July 13, 2023

5:30pm - 7pm

249 A Street

Participating Artists are: Bonnie Mineo, Dorothea VanCamp, Ruth Fields, Lori Hamermesh, Gabrielle Schaffner, Laura Davidson, Caroline Muir, Bebe Beard, Susan Anderson, Anna Win-Leliwa, Mary McCarthy, Lisa Knox, Lenore Tenenblatt, Kristen Milano, Sylvia Stagg-Giuliano, Shirley Veenema, Jane Deutsch, Dorothy Hebden-Heath and Becky Dwyer.

The exhibit runs through August 26, 2023. 

If you haven't gotten to The Artists at 249 A Street's 40th Anniversary Collection at Atlantic Wharf Gallery, it is up through August 11th.

249 A St. Artists Cooperative Celebrates 40 Years with Art Exhibition at Atlantic Wharf Gallery

The 249 A Street Artists Cooperative announces the Artists of 249 A Street Cooperative: 40th Anniversary Exhibition, featuring the works of forty of its member artists. The exhibition is at the Atlantic Wharf Gallery (290 Congress St.) and runs now through August 11, 2023. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 7AM to 10PM.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 5:30 -7:30 pm. 

The exhibition showcases work from members in diverse styles and mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and photography. 

The exhibition also includes photographs of the Coop’s historic building, accompanied by historical information about how the cooperative came to be. The cooperative model allows artists to collaborate, share resources, and support each other in their creative endeavors.

It is also an opportunity to showcase some of the high number of artists living and working in historic Fort Point. "We're thrilled to present this exhibition of our members' work," said Steven Muller, President. "It's a testament to the strength and creativity of our community, and a chance for us to share our art with a wider audience." 

Visitors are welcome to view the works on display, and learn more about the positive effects and contributions of the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative to the community. 

For more information about Artists of 249 A Street Cooperative: 40th Anniversary Exhibition, or the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative, please contact J.S. Dykes at or visit the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative (249astreetcoop.com).

Atlantic Wharf Wants Changes To Our Public Spaces: Comment Deadline April 7th

updated 04/05/23 with FPNA presentation (under resources) at the bottom.
updated 03/20/23: Added link to presentation below along with links to MassDEP and the BPDA website.

MassDEP in conjunction with the BPDA are holding a meeting tonight regarding proposed changes to our public spaces at Atlantic Wharf as mandated under the MA Public Waterfront Act (Chapter 91) and need your feedback. The meeting was held:

Monday, March 13, 2023

6pm

Atlantic Wharf Fort Point room or online

View meeting presentation

Comment Deadline: April 7th 

Submit comments to DEP.Waterways@mass.gov with the subject line “Atlantic Wharf"

Boston Properties, Atlantic Wharf's owner, is proposing changes to their special public destination facility or interior public spaces part of their Chapter 91 license #11419 requirements. The major changes are to:

• relocate the Fort Point Room from its existing 2nd floor space to existing ground-floor space fronting Congress Street, combining a space previously used as a restaurant (Boloco) with space operated by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA space)
• convert the existing Fort Point Room to commercial office uses
• discontinue the use of the existing 2nd floor exterior deck

Boston residents and abutting neighbors are encouraged to attend Monday night to discover more about the changes above and all changes under consideration:

• Will the new proposed space meet the needs of the public and abutting neighbors?
• Will the ground floor be activated in a way that adds value and enhances the existing standards/experience?
• How will the public interact with the spaces and what will be the public experience?
  
  

• How will privatizing the Fort Point room and deck provide public benefits & support programming?
• How will the loss of 2,630 square feet of interior public space be reinstated or recaptured? This does not include the loss of 3,270 sf from the 2nd floor terrace. 
  
  
• What will happen to the 2nd floor non-profit office space? 
• Why is the civic cultural concierge being replaced by a digital information screen?

click on image for better viewing

There is a lot to consider in determining whether the proposed changes benefit the public more or less than before, especially when regarding this special destination facility of public accommodation.

In addition to the 2nd floor Fort Point room and the 2nd floor non-profit office, the original ground floor approved in 2006 included:

• A "Town Square," of approximately 6,300 square feet of skylit civic gathering space within the atrium area of the Graphic Arts and Tufts Buildings, with programming and promotion to be provided by the Proponent (to remain in the current size & condition)
• A Multi-Media Performance Area, approximately 3,800 square feet, providing a destination location for visitors and city residents to learn about Boston's history, culture, diversity and future (BSA space being replaced by a multi-media room?)
• A waterfront restaurant and cafe/performance venue, part of the Fort Point Channel "RestaurantRow," providing flexible space for alternative uses and populations at different times of the day (being replaced by a multimedia meeting room)
• A "Channel Concierge," providing information, maps, ticketing, and details on current events (being replaced by a digital information panel)
• A Community Art Gallery (to remain in the current size & condition)

The comment deadline is April 7,2023. Comments should be submitted to: DEP.Waterways@mass.gov with the subject line “Atlantic Wharf”.

Atlantic Wharf (formerly known as Russia Wharf) underwent redevelopment in 2005 for the properties at 530 Atlantic Ave. and 270-286 Congress St.  The site planning started with the BPDA (then BRA) and the Fort Point Downtown Municipal Plan and as stated above is subject to the MA Public Waterfront Act, commonly referred to as Chapter 91, administered by MassDEP. MassDEP required a SPDF or special public destination facility to offset the impacts of the redevelopment and to provide exceptional public spaces, programming and public benefits. 

Resources

Request for Minor Modification of Chapter 91 License 11419

Russia Wharf (Atlantic Wharf) Chapter 91 License 11419

Russia Wharf Redevelopment Plan Development Area #66

Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Plan  

Fort Point Downtown Municipal Harbor Plan

FPNA April 2023 Neighborhood Presentation

originally published 03/10/23

Experiencing Boston's Waterfront Through An Artist's Lens

If you walk around the neighborhood, odds are you go along the Harborwalk during some part of your daily travels. The Harborwalk isn't just in our neighborhood. It extends over forty miles from Dorchester to East Boston and offers a variety of experiences along narrow paths and wide open spaces with varying degrees of what my mother would have called southern hospitality (even though she was born in Connecticut and worked in Boston).  

This summer photographer Leonardo March went exploring throughout the Boston Harbor capturing how people interact or don't interact with the waterfront. Who feels welcome. Who does not. Through his art, Leo challenges us to think of the potential, the vision, required to create spaces that feel "like another room in your house."

Join the Barr Foundation, Fort Point Arts Community, and photographer Leonardo March for an opening reception of "Another Room in the House" on:

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Gallery at Atlantic Wharf

290 Congress St. 

The reception will feature opening remarks from Barr Foundation President Jim Canales as well as a a conversation between exhibit artist Leonardo March and curator Lucy Rosenburgh of Kate Chertavian Fine Art. Attendees will be able to network, enjoy refreshments, and view the exhibit.  Register here to reserve your spot. 

In closing, I must express gratitude to the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act, commonly referred to as Chapter 91, for protecting and guaranteeing public access to the water and honoring our maritime history, especially in an era of rapid growth and development of #ourwaterfront.

A Weekend Of Hidden Treasures Awaits

Have you ever wondered about the value of that family heirloom or yard sale find? Join the Labouré Center today until 3 pm for Hidden Treasures: Skinner Appraisal Event. General admission is $20 and includes the verbal appraisal and evaluation of one item. All proceeds directly support Catholic Charities Labouré Center programs which focus on education & job readiness, family stabilization, and youth & senior services. The Laboure Center is located at 275 West Broadway (Broadway & D Streets). More details.

Don't have that treasured item yet? Don't worry. The Fort Point Arts Community 39th annual Fort Point Open Studios is this Saturday, October 13, 2018 and Sunday, October 14, 2018 from noon to six pm.  Hunt through the studies of over 100 artists to find your treasured piece(s) of art. Fort Point is home to painters, sculptors, photographers, fashion designers, potters, jewelers, graphic and industrial designers, and galleries. 

Explore the FPAC Gallery (300 Summer Street), the Midway Gallery at Midway Artists Studios, 15  Channel Center Street,  249 A Street Gallery, and the Atlantic Wharf Gallery at 290 Congress  Street and  FPAC's Assemblage, a community art space at 70 A Sleeper  Street. There will be live performances, artist demonstrations and art in unexpected outdoor places. For a complete listing of participating studios, special events, performances and public art  click here. 

Admission is free and so is the parking! Free parking is available all weekend at Central Parking Lot across from 249 A Street, access from Binford Street. Just pull a ticket when you enter, and scan the special bar code on the back of our 2018 Fall Open Studios brochure as you leave! Brochures are available in all the buildings as well as at information tables. You can also use the code on your phone here.

Happy treasure hunting. 

Art Thursdays in Fort Point

The Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) presents Big Picture III, an  annual large works show at Atlantic Wharf Gallery featuring paintings, drawings, photography, site-specific installation, and mixed media works by thirteen FPAC member artists. The opening reception is tonight. Big Picture III is on view through February 2016.

Thursday, October 29th
5 pm - 7 pm
Atlantic Wharf Gallery
290 Congress Street

Memory, photo-illustration by Sylvia Stagg-Giuliano

The Bong Tree by Lisa Houck

Mosaic Muse  features the work of six artists using diverse techniques and materials to create contemporary mosaics. The exhibit's opening reception will be held:

Thursday, November 5th
5 - 7 pm 
FPAC Gallery
300 Summer Street

Mosaic Muse will be on on view through November 27, 2015.

It's All About Art This Week In Fort Point

Mark your calendars. Art starts Tuesday, July 14, 2015 with the opening of "Islands On The Edge" from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Atlantic Wharf Gallery located at 290 Congress Street. "Islands On The Edge" explores the Boston Harbor Islands and the concepts in the islands’ interpretive theme of isolation and existence on the "edge of society", through drawing, painting, photography, video, mixed media, and sculptural installations by twenty-one Fort Point Arts Community artists. More details.

Christophe Squier

Join the conversation occurring in every neighborhood about Boston's first ever Arts and Culture plan and help create Boston's cultural future.  What will South Boston contribute to Boston's art plan? Grab your neighbor, bring your ideas and discover the possibilities. The conversation takes places Wednesday, July 15th at 6pm at the FPAC Gallery. The gallery is located at 300 Summer Street. R.S.V.P

Be sure to see a truly unique performance when the Channel Center Garage opens its gates to INTER-ACTIONS, Performance Art X Art That Performs on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th at 8 pm. Dozens of musicians and actors, poets and performance artists will collaborate with an inter-active art installation that billows and changes light and color patterns in response to their movements and sounds. These free performances are produced by the Fort Point Theatre Channel.

Reminder: the comment deadline for Artists For Humanity Epicenter Expansion development is July 31, 2015.

Art Happenings You Won't Want To Miss

If you missed Sowa Artists Guild's First Fridays June 5th at 450 Harrison Street in the South End and last weekend's South Boston Open Studios at the Distillery and at 555 Gallery, you won't want to miss:.  

Tuesday, June 9th from 5pm -7pm is the opening reception of "Mentor", a juried exhibition featuring works by eight Fort Point artist/educators and their students, at the Atlantic Wharf Gallery. RSVP. Show runs through June 19th.

Made in Fort Point hosts their June featured artist of the month, Liliana Folta, at an opening reception on  Wednesday, June 10th from 5 pm - 7 pm. RSVP. Liliana Folta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has lived and worked in Fort Point at Midway Artist Studios since 2009 and soon will relocate her studio to Berlin, Germany. Liliana studied Fine Arts and ceramics at Tarrant County College NE Texas, where she received an “Outstanding Merit Award” and a “Distinguished Scholarship.”  The Made in Fort Point store sells and exhibits art, craft and design of over 50 Fort Point Arts Community members.

The FPAC Gallery presents "Drawing & Sparring”, an exhibit featuring work by Fort Point artists inspired by the art of boxing. The opening reception is Thursday, June 11th from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at 300 Summer St. RSVP.  The exhibit is on view through July 2, 2015.

There will also be a Fort Point Public Art Walking Tour on Thursday starting at 5 pm at A St. and Necco Ct. to view five art installations and hear from the artists. The tour will end at the FPAC Galley at 6:30 pm. RSVP

The art happenings all take place during Seaport - Fort Point Week June 5th - 12th. Rediscover the Boston Waterfront

updated 6.9.15