The Art Stays Here coalition has opened a new exhibition titled "Faces, Spaces, & Places" at the Somerville Museum, running from June 5 to August 23. The exhibition highlights the causes and impacts of artist displacement, featuring sculptural displays, portraits of local creatives, a recreated artist studio, and original artwork for sale. Visitors can participate as "artivists" by decorating postcards to elected officials advocating for the protection of art spaces. The exhibition follows successful preservation campaigns for Humphrey Street Studios in Dorchester and Central Street Studios in Somerville, where the coalition helped tenants secure affordable artist workspaces.
This exhibition matters because it addresses the urgent issue of artist displacement in the Boston area, a growing crisis as rising real estate costs threaten creative communities. By combining storytelling, advocacy, and direct action, Art Stays Here demonstrates a replicable model for preserving affordable artist spaces through community organizing and public-private partnerships. The exhibition not only documents past victories but also empowers visitors to become advocates, turning art into a tool for policy change and long-term cultural sustainability.