Boston's Best Free Art Activities
From museums to streets dotted with art, Boston boasts quite a collection. Most of the city's parks feature works of art both large and small. In short, there is a lot of art to enjoy in Boston. Whether appreciating or learning about it, visitors and residents may find something artistic to do. What is even better is that many of these art activities are free.
Public Art Walk
Boston, MA
(617) 635-3245
www.publicartboston.comThe Boston Public Art Walk is an ever-changing art exhibit on the streets of Boston. This walk requires no guide and no knowledge of the art in Boston. Visitors may just check the Public Art Boston website for the current route and follow it; spotting statues, sculptures and more as they walk. It is important to dress for the weather on this walk in the winter, as Boston can get windy and frigid from October to May, and the entire walk is outdoors.
Related: Boston's Best Free Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 478-3100
www.icaboston.org
Time: Thurs – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.The Institute of Contemporary Arts has no admission fee on Thursday evenings. This experience would typically cost between $10 and $15, so free Thursdays are a treat. The museum features art selections from all over the contemporary spectrum. Enjoy everything from sculptures to photos, from paper to glass works of art. The exhibits and special events are always changing, so visitors may come back for several Thursdays in a single season and view everything at no charge.
Artists Group of Charlestown Open Studios
StoveFactory Gallery
523 Medford St.
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-0130
www.artistsgroupofcharlestown.com
Dates: Dec. 1 and Dec. 2
Click here for calendar
The Artists Group of Charlestown does one of the rare winter open studios in Boston at its 950-square-foot gallery. Peruse 18 studios in the building that encompass a range of arts and design styles. The 2012 open studios include sculpture, paintings, photography, pottery, mixed media and calligraphy. These showings tend to have a good turnout, so be prepared to share the space with others.
Ceramics Program Holiday Show and Sale
219 Western Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 495-8676
ofa.fas.harvard.edu/
Time: Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Dec. 7 to Dec 9 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Potters and sculptors of the Ceramics Program will put their work on display for the 2012 Holiday Show and Sale — more than 60 of them. The show is complimentary. However, there's a price for just about anything you'd like to take home. Nonetheless, there is a selection of complimentary cups for guests while they last. As for the rest of the work, everything from bargain home decor pieces to complex works of pure aesthetics is on display. This large show is not to be missed by ceramics lovers.
Stephan A. Frank Exhibition
Sherman Gallery, Boston University College of Fine Arts
855 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston MA 02215
(617) 353-3350
www.bu.edu
Dates: Dec. 1 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Stephen A. Frank's December exhibition in Sherman Gallery is a collection of photographs taken in national parks and other historic sites. He has gone to 14 sites in Maine, the Southwest and the West and brought his photographs together in Boston to offer a taste of these beautiful places and himself. He calls his collection, "Exploring My Kodachrome Dreams You Can't Go Home Again: Photographs from the West, Southwest and Maine 2010-2012."
Related: Boston's Best Art Walks
