Art for everyone during Medford Open Studios this Saturday
Artists representing many mediums are set to put their talents on display during this Saturday's Medford Open Studios.
By Ryan Fiore
The works of more than 100 Medford-based artists will be showcased across nearly two dozen locations in the city Saturday, June 20, during the first-ever Medford Open Studios. Hosted by Arts Collaborative Medford (ACM), the event will focus on visual and spoken works and will be free to attend. In addition, there will be free public transportation.
From 2000 to 2024, West Medford Open Studios hosted the city’s annual arts festival, highlighting local artists and helping promote the city’s independent art scene. This year, under the management of Arts Collaborative Medford, the event will expand its footprint.
ACM Executive Director Regina Parkinson said ACM hopes to honor West Medford Open Studios’ legacy while expanding the event to encompass Medford’s broader arts community.
“Medford Open Studios is rooted in a tradition that has been bringing people together through art for more than 25 years," Parkinson said. "The event grew out of West Medford Open Studios, which was led by dedicated community members, including Tanya and Earl Howard, Anita Tucker and many others who built a beloved annual celebration of local artists. When it came time for them to pass the project on, Arts Collaborative Medford was honored to carry that legacy forward and expand it citywide. We wanted to encompass the larger art scene in Medford and highlight organizations and individuals that the public may not otherwise know about.”
The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. and will include 11 community sites and 11 home studios. Attendees will be able to go on self-guided tours.
The 11 community sites are:
- Arts Collaborative Medford, 162 Mystic Ave.
- Tufts University Breed Hall, 51 Winthrop St.
- City Hall Council Chambers, 85 George P. Hassett Dr.
- EventThem Studios, 344 Salem St.
- The Great American Beer Hall, 142 Mystic Ave.
- Medford Brewing Company, 30 Harvard Ave.
- Medford Community Baptist Church, 470 Fulton St.
- Medford Public Library, 111 High St.
- Outside the Lines Studio, 70 Colby St.
- Walnut Street Center, 291 Mystic Ave.
- West Medford Community Center, 111 Arlington St.
Because of the expansion, ACM chose not to use open registration for the first time in the event’s 26-year history. This year, artists were required to submit vendor applications through a Google form posted on the West Medford Open Studios Facebook page, with a March 15 deadline.
Free trolleys will be running in 30-minute intervals between venues. ACM, with the help of Emily O’Brien of the Medford Bike Commission, has also designed a map of bike routes for those who want to travel that way.
"Getting to see all the amazing arts and events at Medford's first citywide open studios event might sound daunting, but the free trolley service should make it easy for people to get to as many sites as they want," said Milva McDonald, a pottery designer who will show her art at the EventThem location.
McDonald also spoke in depth about the visual arts and live entertainment visitors can expect from this year’s Medford Open Studios.
"I'm delighted to be showing at EventThem on Salem Street, where folks can check out work by ten artists and listen to live music out on the porch," McDonald said. "I've been working on some new pieces, including spice pots, face cups and oil decanters, and I can't wait to share them."
Artworks in a range of mediums will be on display, including watercolors by Fran Hiller, painted chairs and woodcuts by Andrew Novis, pottery by Amy Shinerock and Alicia Fessenden, jewelry by Audrey Stanwood and Beads by Beardslee, photography by Betty Stone, Cat Pedemonti, and Eve Stage, and fabric arts by Meghan Jordan Arts and Sew Joyful. In addition, West Medford Community Center will host readings by Medford-based authors.
Jen Flores, a clothing designer and encaustic painter whose exhibit will be on display at Medford City Hall, is eager to be a part of Medford Open Studios and is hopeful that the citywide expansion will help the city’s art scene continue to flourish.
"I am looking forward to MOS and seeing how this year's event goes,” Flores said. “It certainly looks like the coordinators thought of everything, like the bus tour stops, especially since MOS is spread out through neighborhoods and businesses. I chose the City Hall site, which in itself is beautiful inside. I do clothing and art, so I’m hoping for decent sales and exposure to expand my customer base.”
Flores said that writing a grant decades ago enabled Medford’s artists to exhibit at City Hall.
“It was great, and I hope the best for this MOS launch," Flores said.
Parkinson said, "For us, Medford Open Studios is about more than showcasing artwork, it's about creating opportunities for connection. MOS is a chance for people who might not otherwise meet to learn about each other, to learn about their neighbors and see the art studios that might be right next door.”
Click here to see the list of artists, examples of their work, and where they will be showing.
Click here to see the maps, including one that shows the art locations, small businesses, and food vendors, and one that shows bike routes.
Click here to see the schedules of art demos, live performances, author readings, and Juneteenth activities.
