To build the buzz for this weekend’s October 24-25 Dorchester Open Studios (DOS), the Dorchester Arts Collaborative (DAC), which organizes the sprawling event, is holding a preview event this Friday evening. The ticketed fundraiser with DJ Brazao and a salsa class with MetaMovements Latino Dance Group will be held at DAC’s home base, the Erick Jean Center for the Arts near Four Corners.
This event replaces the free performing arts showcase that was held in Codman Square in the past few years. Tickets ($20) must be purchased in advance.
The participation by local artists in 2015 DOS looks to be comparable in size to that of recent years. According to DAC President Jennifer Johnson, a Dot photographer and poet, this Open Studios event will feature more than 80 artists showing at 14 locations.
Among the newer venues are the Vietnamese-American Community Center where Burmese painter Than Tran Kriley is showing his work; the Dorchester Art Project, which took over the Fields Corner space of the Howard Art Project; and the Lower Mills Fine Arts Gallery.
Some artists are showing at more than one location. Several artists without real Dot affiliations have joined the mix.
Johnson describes the event this way: “Dorchester Open Studios is a family-friendly arts celebration that covers the best of Boston’s largest and most diverse neighborhood,” she said. “At venues all over Dorchester the general public can view, buy art, and meet the artists. A wide range of art, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, photography and mixed media will be on display.”
Boston Open Studios were originally conceived as special occasions during which artists in each Boston neighborhood invited the public into their normally private work spaces. But because of the time and effort needed to rearrange a messy atelier into a presentable exhibit area, many artists decided it was much easier to find a communal public place and set up separate little displays there.
This pattern holds true for the 2015 DOS where most artists are showing and selling their works at group venues. The Boston Home with a whopping 33 watercolorists has overtaken traditional champ First Parish Church as the site with most exhibitors.
However, there are a few artists who are welcoming the arts-curious into those special places where the magic happens.
Among those opening their home studios, for this weekend only, is Vincent Crotty, perhaps Dot’s best known painter and one with an international reputation.
According to Crotty’s wife, Kieran Jordan, “Vincent has participated in Dorchester Open Studios pretty much every year since it began! He has been big part of the group shows at Pearl Street Studios, Baker Chocolate Factory, and the Great Hall in Codman Square, and for many years at the church on Meetinghouse Hill.”
Three of the Humphrey Street collective are also welcoming visitors into their studios: Adlai Woodhouse, KV Khai and Franklin Marval. The latter again designed the DOS map/ guide insert in last week’s Reporter.
Best bet for those short on time: Lower Mills artists (See DOS map sites #11-14)
See DAC website (dorchesterartscollaborative.org) for schedule of free shuttle provided by the Mayor’s Office and previews of exhibitors’ works.
Performing arts and interactive kids’ activities on Saturday from noon-5p.m. at Rev. Allen Park.
