Cambridge opens up for the arts

PUBLISHED by The Cambridge Chronicle

Cambridge —More than 100 artists in Cambridge will open their homes or studios to their neighbors at the first Cambridge Open Studios at the end of this month.


Previously, Cambridgeport Artists Open Studios and North Cambridge All Arts Open Studios provided artists living or working in certain areas a forum for displaying their work every fall and spring. Last year, the Cambridge Arts Council began working with CAOS and NoCa to include artists everywhere in Cambridge, said Julie Madden, Cambridge Arts Council director of community arts.

“It’s absolutely vital to artists in Cambridge to have a support network from the city,” said Madden. “And it’s all-encompassing. There’s not a sense of elitism or people being left out — not to say NoCa or CAOS were elite in any way, but the perception was you had to be in the area to participate.”

The smaller open studios of the past had about 40 to 60 participants each, and Cambridge Open Studios will host about 140 artists this year, said Madden. Artists will display their work, ranging from paintings to wire sculptures to jewelry, in their homes or in a shared studio space donated by local vendors, she said.

Catherine Ezell, who will display her paintings in her home at 4 Bellis Circle in North Cambridge, said she has participated in NoCa’s open studios for the past 11 years. Her “fingers are crossed” that the success of Cambridge Open Studios matches NoCa’s success, she said.

“It’s easier for us, but it probably will take time to get off the ground,” said Ezell. “We’re hoping we get as many people this year as we had in the past … people can only go to so many open studios.”

Open studios in Cambridge are unique because they are held in artists’ homes rather than a large shared studio, so people attending can explore the neighborhood at the same time.

“Artists are not good at doing their own publicity because they want to spend time doing their own artwork, so it’s a chance to be before the public and hope to sell their work,” said Ezell.

Porter Square Books will host a day of poetry and a play on April 25 from noon-4 p.m. as part of the program, said Madden. The whole event spans three weekends from noon-6 p.m. each day, on April 25 and 26 in the north and west; May 9 and 10 in central Cambridge; and May 30 and 31 in the east. A map of all locations and an artist listing is available on the Cambridge Arts Council Web site, www.cambridgeartscouncil.org.