Storefronts Needham
Launched in March 2021 and presented by the Needham Council for Arts and Culture and the Town of Needham, this revitalization program infuses new energy into vacant storefronts throughout Needham’s business districts. Through a partnership with Needham Art Association, Storefronts Needham will host a mini art gallery at 1502 Highland Avenue. With the donation of space from Sullivan & Co. Real Estate, this storefront will have a rotating roster of local artists. Artworks from members of the Needham Art Association will be displayed in the windows of the property showcasing a variety of disciplines from acrylic to encaustic.
The Storefronts Needham initiative is a public-private partnership geared towards bringing energy and life to storefronts in need of tenants. Like communities across Massachusetts, Needham has experienced the loss of small businesses who were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to keep the downtown business areas vibrant while giving artists and small businesses the opportunity to showcase their work.
We are thankful to the landlords and artists that made this program possible.
Benefits of Art Displays in Vacant Storefronts:
- Arts and cultural encounters provide enjoyable opportunities for community engagement
- Active properties decrease crime, vandalism and graffiti
- Arts and culture reflect community values, represent voices of diverse audiences and promotes a positive sense of place
- Elevated opportunities for local artists to share and market their work
- Increased attention to the rental property with staging and cleaning of the space
- Revitalizing properties stabilizes values for neighboring properties (empty stores may decrease the value of adjacent properties)
If you would like more information about the program, please email us at: needhamartandculture@gmail.com
Storefronts Needham Properties
1502 Highland Avenue donated by Sullivan & Co. Real Estate
Through a partnership with Needham Art Association, Storefronts Needham will host a mini art gallery at 1502 Highland Avenue. This storefront will have a rotating roster of local artists exhibiting in 2D media. Artworks from members of the Needham Art Association will be displayed in the windows of the property showcasing a variety of disciplines from acrylic to encaustic. Needham Art Association president, Victoria Garbe affirmed that “the members of our association are thrilled to have the opportunity to exhibit our work right in the downtown business district of Needham.”
32 Chestnut Street donated by Coppola Properties
Needham High School’s “Senior Studios Sampler” will be hosted at this location through May 19th, 2021. It’s the second installation of Storefronts Needham. 20 graduating students from the NHS Senior Studios have selected their projects from the year to display. Select works from their portfolio include paintings, drawings, and other multi-media that range from self-portraits to collages of their favorite pop-culture icons.
It’s been a difficult year for students from juggling their workload on top of all the changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. “We wanted to give them a unique opportunity that would honor all that they have accomplished this year” said Maria Sartori, NHS Senior Studios teacher. “The students final show had to be a smaller event to accommodate for social distancing, so getting to display their artwork in a public space gives them a chance to show the world what they’ve created while also getting real world experience.” Their final Senior Art show will be an invite only event on May 18th.
36 Chestnut Street donated by Coppola Properties
Needham Open Studios installs at the former bridal shop with the professional works of 13 artists. Yearly in May, NOS artists would open their studio doors to share how and where they practice their craft. “We’ve had to postpone Needham Open Studio’s two years in a row due the public health crisis, so having the opportunity to safely share our work with the community is wonderful.” The space donated by Coppola Properties showcases painters, mosaic artists, photographers, sculptors, print makers and textile artists.
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