Kingston Gallery has been operating as an artist-run cooperative since 1982, when it opened on Kingston Street in Chinatown, a pioneering location for a forward-looking outfit — and it continued in this spirit when in the late 1990s it became one of the first galleries to set up shop in Boston’s South End. There are 17 artists on the current Kingston roster, and every summer since 1992 it has played host to a juried exhibition that draws participants from around the country.
“New Art ’07,” the gallery’s 16th annual such show, opens on July 6 with new work by 29 artists. It was juried by Nato Thompson, a former Mass MoCA curator who recently relocated to New York City to serve as a curator and producer for the experimental-arts organization Creative Time. Thompson reviewed more than 500 slides, CDs, and DVDs in the course of making his selection for “New Art ’07”; the works he chose range from Alison Kotin’s poetic multimedia installation This Is a Map of My Current Location to Julie Vinette’s entrancing abstract paintings, Nat Martin’s quirky sculpture, and Joe Kitsch’s self-described “conceptually oriented pop art.” His award for the show will be announced at the July 6 opening reception.
The Brickbottom Artists Association (BAA), which was founded by the original residents of the Brickbottom Artist Building in Somerville, is celebrating 20 years as a vital arts community organization. One of the perks it offers its members is the opportunity to exhibit in the fine Brickbottom Gallery, which is located on the building’s ground floor. “What Is Big?” — the gallery’s annual summer exhibition of work that’s oversized or challenges the idea of scale — opens July 12, with a public opening reception on July 15. Kevin Van Aelst’s clever way with food and art landed him in the pages of the New York Times Style magazine this past May; Wally Gilbert’s large-scale (as big as 8x12) digital photographs have also been known to focus on food, as well as machines, architecture, graffiti, and pure color. And David Tonnesen’s expansive metal sculpture can be seen in public spaces including the Legal Sea Foods HQ in South Boston, where his 45-foot stainless-steel codfish holds sway, and the South End restaurant Sibling Rivalry, where his shiny duo of roosters greet you above the front door.
“New Art ’07” at Kingston Gallery, 450 Harrison Ave, #43, Boston | July 6–August 4 | opening reception July 6: 5-7:30 pm | 617.423.4113 | “WHAT IS BIG?” at Brickbottom Gallery, 1 Fitchburg St, Somerville | July 12–August 18 | opening reception July 15: 7-9 pm | 617.776.3410
On the Web
Kingston Gallery: www.kingstongallery.com
Brickbottom Gallery: www.brickbottomartists.com
