Art guild at home in SoWa's renaissance
If you closed your eyes and imagined a bustling art community on the rise, filled to the brim with artists of all ages and varieties of media, a refurbished factory on the fringes of the South End probably wouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind.
But the old building at 450 Harrison Ave. is in fact home to the SoWa (South of Washington Street) Artists Guild, where 28 artists produce work that is, at the very least, unique.
"The quality of art in this building is really outstanding, and it's very diverse," says Stephen Silver, 61, an artist and head organizer of the guild. "We've gained a lot of traction since we first began, and we're seeing the momentum building."
Since its inception in September 2005, the guild has thrived in its newly renovated building, which is owned and operated by GTI Properties, and has attracted artists who specialize in media ranging from oil painting to jewelry making.
Today, there is a waiting list of up to a year for artists hoping to snag a vacant studio in the four-story building. It holds about 80 studios, with roughly 20 percent of its space housing a business separate from the guild.
In local art circles, the guild has been building a name for itself.
"I think that over the years, the caliber of artists there has gotten more diverse, and the level of professionalism has definitely come up quite a bit," said Julie Mussafer, owner and director of Jules Place, an art gallery at 1200 Washington St. "What's nice about it is that you see a huge variety of work; some is more accessible, and some is more experimental."
The building, which dates to the late 19th century, was renovated about six years ago. In studios of various sizes, artists pursue their passions next door to one another, evoking a sort of dorm-like, community-centered feeling that seems to have kept the guild grounded for just over two years now.
According to Silver, the guild's purpose is to promote the work of local artists and to introduce local art connoisseurs to the hidden treasures that lie within the SoWa neighborhood, and within the building.
"People are now willing to come out [to SoWa], and it helps the community," Silver says. "It's a good thing for the city, the neighborhood, and, of course, for the artists. A lot of artists here have gained a following, and have received opportunities through the guild to show their work elsewhere."
A few years ago, some say, there was no opportunity to walk around, enjoy the fine dining, or take in the fine arts that this southeastern corner of the South End now has to offer. Thanks to some serious gentrification, the SoWa district is on an upswing, and the guild is along for the ride.
"Everything in this neighborhood is new," says Silver. "It's exciting. It's safer now. There's high-end development and great restaurants."
Businesses in the neighborhood benefit especially from "First Fridays." In the monthly event, nearly every artist in the guild opens his or her studio to the public, hoping to sell their works.
"We plan for our First Fridays to be especially busy," says Uzay Tumer, general manager of Gaslight, a new restaurant at 560 Harrison Ave. "We staff extra for it, and we always expect a lot of foot traffic. Not only is it great for business, but it's great to see people actually out in this neighborhood, walking around."
