Background :: 10/1998 - 05/2008

building a common ground for art and community

[artSPACE@16 is the product of a creative and undaunted response to the displacement from one artists' community (Fort Point) to creating a new artists' community in Malden.]

 



artSPACE@16 (previously known as S.T Gallery) was designed, built and founded by Sand T on the first floor of the former artists building at 15-17 Stillings Street, Boston in October 1998. The Stillings St. warehouse buildings were built in 1905. They housed 32 artists and 5 small businesses.

In October 1999, all tenants of 11-23 Stillings Street received 1st eviction notice which was effective for December 31, 1999 from the Boston Wharf Company. A proposed demolition plan was made to replace these three low-lying structures, occupied by dozens of artists for more than two decades, for a 9-story 500-vehicle garage.

Tenants opposed the demolition. Community meetings and protests were held but didn't change the BWC's decision. All tenants received 2nd eviction notice which was extended to Jan 31, 2000. The eviction was again extended to April 2, 2000. S.Tgallery was relocated to 16 Princeton Road in Malden on April 1, 2000. Stillings St. buildings were bulldozed two weeks later.

 

Demolition didn't discourage Sand T. Nevertheless, the change in location had changed the physical space of her gallery but didn't change her mission. This major set back had transformed into a cause, a positive motivation to continuing doing what she has a passion and skill for. Her desire had grown even stronger for making space for art during her recovery from the loss of ST Gallery. Sand T has committed to herself to rebuild.

In July 2000, during the transitional period of rebuilding an exhibition space, Sand T held an art and community event called "Food is Art, Art is Food" in the newly renovated basement studios at 16 Princeton. This event was co-organized by the Asian American Resource Workshop. A sizable crowd of AARW members, artists, friends and families attended this exhibition and BBQ event.

In August 2000, with help from Wesley Kalloch (now her husband) and friends John Black and Linden Moses, the 24 x 24 detached two-car garage was transformed into a humble yet modern art space. The name "S.T Gallery" was changed to "SPACE@16", which was later changed to "artSPACE@16".

artSPACE@16 was fully up and running again in Fall 2000 with the premier arts event ArtsRendezvous that featured artworks by 26 artists, acoustic music performances, tea tasting and poetry readings.

Later on, Lawrence Wong made the "16" sign for artSPACE@16. A movable T-wall was built. Gordon Morrison, Thomas Schorn, Jonathan Santos, Bryan Durning, and Wesley Kalloch contributed their valuable time, constructive consultation and feedbacks on creating a web site for artSPACE@16 in 2003.

In the spring of 2005, a new plexi "16" sign for was made and installed. The gallery floor was scraped, cracks filled in, and painted slate gray. In the heat of the summer, an exhaust fan was installed with the voluntary labor from Wesley Kalloch and Sammy Hong.

Thank you all for making this common ground possible.

 

 


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All Content © Copyright 1998 -2008. artSPACE@16. All Rights Reserved

 

this garage
converted
gallery


artSPACE@16 is a 576 sq. ft two-car garage converted to exhibition space. It's complete with a movable T-wall and sheet-rock wall space of 99 linear feet. It has a 7'9" ceiling. The exhibition space is well-lit with natural light, basic spotlights and clip-lights. We regret that artSPACE@16 does not provide storage space nor air-conditioning nor heating system installed.

 

building artSPACE@16