Melissa Shaak
“I found my way to Fountain Street through the Annex program, which gives emerging artists the chance to show their work in a gallery setting. I remember submitting my application, not daring to hope too much. Being accepted and part of the October 2018 Annex show was a joy and great boost to my work.
Fountain Street is a fantastic community—full of talented, creative and committed artists. The overarching spirit here is one of collaboration, which is fostered in ways large and small by our director Marie Craig and assistant director Tatiana Flis. Artists team up in pairs to exhibit their work in a shared space and with a shared theme. This unique approach allows viewers to experience the fruits of a long-running dialogue between the two artists, and to enjoy the benefits of seeing each artist’s work in spatial and conceptual relation to the other. I have had a blast working in this way with Marcia R Wise on our upcoming show.
Fountain Street artists train and share in the workings of the gallery. Already I have learned how to mount a show, craft a press release, try my hand at writing about contemporary art, and hang a painting at 58-60” on center. And oh! It’s fabulous to have a venue in Boston’s art and design district. I can’t wait for the return of the buzz and bustle of First Friday receptions in SoWa. ”