Somerville, Massachusetts, known as an artist haven, is thankfully still home to a handful of artist workspace communities including the Brickbottom Artist Building, Joy Street Studios, Milk Row Studios, Washington Street Art Center, Central Street Studios, Mad Oyster Studios and Pearl Street. The largest and longest-running location, Vernon Street Studios, touting 100 studios smack in between Davis and Porter Squares, celebrates its 50th Anniversary of hosting Open Studios on December 7 and 8 from 12-6 p.m. at 6 and 20 Vernon Street.
To mark this milestone, Vernon Street Studios will also host a retrospective exhibi- tion at Somerville’s Nave Gallery from December 3 through January 9, 2025. One of its coordinators, artist Heather Balchunas, moved into Vernon Street in 2008. “I was only on the waitlist for one year. After signing the lease, I thought ‘I am a real artist. I have my own studio space,’” said Balchunas. She explained that, “The vision for
the 50th retrospective exhibition is to celebrate Vernon Street Studios artists both past and present. There’s so much talent within our walls. We’re thrilled to share it with everyone.” The opening reception is on December 3.
The Rogers Foam Corporation, manufacturer of furniture cushions and yes, the Nerf foot-
ball, bought the 19th-century brick industrial building from the historic Derby Desk Company, where it still makes and ships foam products today. It also houses the 100-plus artists in varying sized private studios who practice painting, printing, photography, sculpture, jewelry making, graphic design and more. Some have been at Vernon Street for decades, some just over a year. Some are seasoned and renowned, others fresh from art college.