Welcome to the Spencer Lofts Gallery!
The People of Chelsea Project
The People of Chelsea Project was born from a deep love of the people of Chelsea, for its rich culture, vibrant beauty, and resilient community. Just across the harbor and only a bridge away from Boston, yet culturally distinct, Chelsea is too often overlooked. This project features its residents, businesses, and institutions that deserve to be seen and celebrated – from activists to entrepreneurs, from city officials to students, from old timers to newcomers. The People of Chelsea project is a positive mirror to the community, a source of pride and an homage to those who make the city work every day, across ages, experiences, and languages. Particularly during the mire of COVID-19, the project was a meaningful departure from the disaster-oriented media narratives about Chelsea, and each showing became a source of local pride. Through strong collaborations, we have highlighted a community that is so much more than its pandemic losses: a Chelsea that is resilient, creative, courageous and just. As the project has reached new audiences in and beyond Chelsea, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. People have been delighted to see themselves as well as their friends, family, and neighbors’ images and stories, and that momentum continues to grow as the project evolves. There are many more stories to be shared and people to be made visible.
Darlene DeVita
Our hidden gem, the Gallery@Spencer Lofts!
Founded in 2004, the Gallery was initially co-directed by Spencer Lofts residents Maryellen Cahill and Darlene DeVita. The Gallery's launch was enthusiastically supported by Chelsea City officials, including Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash, now the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development in the administration of Governor Charlie Baker. The Gallery paved the way for CHARCOLL (Chelsea Artists Collaborative) and the Annual Chelsea Art Walk.
Since 2004, the Gallery has continuously hosted scores of exhibitions and events, despite a brief closure over several months for repairs in 2014-2015. A re-opening gala was held in May of 2015.
Our past shows of 2015-2017:
VICTOR BAILEY: THE ART OF JAZZ May 2015 (Re-opening gala featuring exhibit and performance by Victor Bailey and colleagues)
ARTWALK: SPENCER ARTIST-RESIDENTS GROUP SHOW June 2015
MYLES CARTER: PAINTINGS 2015 Sept 2015
JASON PARRIS FITZ-GERALD: VISUAL POETRY IN LIGHT AND LIFE Oct 2015
MARTHA BOURNE BAND, BRITT CONNORS & TRIO Oct 31 2015
RUTH SCOTCH PAINTINGS; KERI STRAKA: SCULPTURE: LIQUID’S EDGE Dec 2015-Jan 2016
JERRY LAINOFF SOLO SHOW Mar-Apr 2016
RACHEL SHATIL: AWAY FROM HOME May 2016
We look forward to seeing you here!
What a fantastic night this was, our very own Spencer resident and multi-talented Martha Bourne, http://www.marthabournemusic.com/ and the lovely Britt Connors http://brittconnors.com/
One of our most delightful sculpture shows. Courtney Jordon, 2D artist; Stacy Savage, sculptor; and David Lang, kinetic sculptor.
Sadly, among all the other amazing artists we lost in 2016, we lost our dear friend and neighbor, Victor Bailey, to Charcot Marie Tooth/ALS. Victor lived at Spencer Lofts for 2 years before his illness overtook him and he had to leave us to get 24/7 care. Victor wanted to so much to move back the Spencer; he loved it here, and we loved him!
Visit our friends and affiliates:
www.dominicchavez.com Dominic Chavez
http://www.rockrollphoto.com/ Ron Pownall
www.stitchandtickle.com Sophie Truong-Stitch and Tickle
www.silvialopezchavez.com Silvia Lopez-Chavez
http://www.colettebresilla.com/ Colette Brésilla
www.debhickey.com Deb Hickey
www.pearlstreetgallery.com Pearl St. Gallery
johnkennard.net John Kennard
http://www.davidlangstudios.com/ David A. Lang
http://www.courtneyjordan.net/ Courtney Jordan
www.rachelyoudelman.com Rachel Youdelman
http://www.iaritza.com/
http://www.chelseaartwalk.com