I've always wondered why Boston has a less-than-burgeoning art scene when such a major percentage of the city is made up of college students, ESPECIALLY taking into account the number of art schools in the area. Though Boston's undoubtedly-talented residents' continue to produce and market their art, a full-force art following is hard to locate when the few galleries in existence are distributed so randomly throughout the metro area.
Personally, I've always heralded The Institute of Contemporary Art's expansion into the new waterfront location as a major step for Boston's big art movement, but yet...there are still problems. Some see the waterfront as too far-removed for travel (despite easy accessibility from the MBTA Silver Line bus!), and I am STILL shocked by how many classmates I've talked to that have never even visited on Thursday nights (free admission!). As May flies by, the ICA continues to get the word out and bring new ideas and entertainment to the city, but sadly, Boston's art world has already experienced quite a few changes (and blows) this month.
At the end of April, the Rhys Gallery in the South End announced a move to Los Angeles. The Bernard Toale Gallery on Harrison Avenue will be changing the gallery format. The Howard Yezerski Gallery on Newbury Street will be moving to the South End. artSPAce@16 in Malden is closing after a decade of shows. And finally, the Allston Skirt Gallery will soon be giving up their lease after nine years of operation.
It is hard to say whether the galleries that are closing blame their demise on the economy, the city climate, or perhaps some other factor; but regardless, they will of course be missed. It is also hard to say what will happen with the changes and relocations coming to the other galleries. Those of us with with an interest can only hope that nothing to come in the future will hinder the already-struggling scene.
Sad.
More info at the Boston's Phoenix website. Image c/o http://www.artspaceat16.com.
2 comments:
what about the dig's own space242 - last friday of every month! it's awesome.
sorry for lurking. I'm bored this morning.
Don't forget that over half the teachers of those art schools commute twice weekly to their Boston jobs from Brooklyn. Art school teachers are a really important part of bringing their students into the artworld. In this case, the teachers don't live in the area their students do which means they don't see them anywhere outside of school. This makes the natural process of getting drunk and introduced to important people impossible unless you follow your teachers back to Brooklyn the other 5/7 days of the week. Not too likely. No connections, no practicing artists- endless bummer. Good post!
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