Artists prepare for show and tell

Soon after potter Gabrielle Chaffner moved to the thriving artists' community of Fort Point Channel in the 1980s, she read about plans to develop Fan Pier. ``Nothing happened," she said.

She can't say the same for 2006.

``Overnight you turn around and there's another hotel," Chaffner said. ``It's been a real year of transition."

As development lifts the face of Fort Point and the Seaport, the local art community clings on. Next weekend's 27th Open Studios, organized by Chaffner for the Fort Point Arts Community group, will feature more than 200 artists -- about the same number as last year.

Since developers started buying Fort Point's old warehouses from the Boston Wharf Co. several years ago, artists have feared that higher real estate prices would push them out. In fact, ``we've lost people," Chaffner said, ``but we've also gained people."

Many have moved into the neighborhood's Midway Studios, which opened in early 2005. The warehouse is home to 89 art studios as well as theater, café, and office space. The arts community considers ownership an important anchor to keep artists in the neighborhood, according to Cheryl Forté of the Fort Point Development Collaborative .

``If you don't own your own space, you're not safe," she said. The collaborative has developed two other artist buildings in the neighborhood; Midway renters will eventually have the opportunity to purchase their units.

Some artists balance space concerns with excitement about neighborhood improvements. ``We never had trees here!" Chaffner said. There are also new restaurants and galleries, and the neighborhood is slated to get a grocery store.

Alongside the changes in the neighborhood, Open Studios has introduced a few new elements. John Gayle is curating its first-ever film and video mini festival. Portraitist Lisa Knox invites visitors to add to a ``Portrait Wall." An indoor Art Party replaces the outdoor children's tent and adds food, music, and exhibitions.

Arts events have been blossoming in other communities as well. Open Studios have already been held this year in the South End and Jamaica Plain. Roslindale is holding its second annual Open Studios this weekend , with 49 artists slated to participate. Where before local artists went to other neighborhoods to participate in events, now ``we've come to bring everybody out into our own community," said organizer Janice Williams .

Other upcoming Open Studio events include:

Dorchester, www.dorchesteropenstudios.org , Oct. 21-22.

A.C.T. Roxbury, www.actroxbury.org, Oct. 8-29.

South Boston, distilleryopenstudios.org, Nov. 4-5.

Hyde Park, hydeparkartassociation.com, Nov. 4-5.

Allston Arts District, allstonarts.org, Nov. 11-12

Fenway Studios, friendsoffenwaystudios.org, Nov. 18-19

Charlestown, artistsgroupofcharlestown.com, Dec. 2-3

Learn more about Open Studios this weekend in Roslindale and next weekend in Fort Point at fortpointarts.org and roslindaleopenstudios.org.