Somerville is launching a new rotating art exhibit series called Community Collections inside City Hall, starting April 29 with the RE-discovering Somerville Open Studios show. The inaugural exhibit features artwork by Somerville Open Studios (SOS) artists, photographs of artists in their studios by Aram Comjean, and vintage SOS posters. The series is hosted by the Somerville Arts Council and co-curated by City Art Coordinator Heather Balchunas and SOS President Hilary Scott, with an art reception scheduled for May 18.
This initiative matters because it transforms City Hall into a public gallery, making art accessible to residents during routine visits and reinforcing Somerville's identity as a community that values its arts and culture scene. By featuring local and student artwork on a rotating basis, the program supports emerging and established artists, fosters civic engagement with the arts, and demonstrates how municipal spaces can be repurposed to celebrate and promote local creative talent.