The Guide to JP: JP Open Studios

The 23rd annual Jamaica Plain Open Studios (JPOS), a celebration of the arts in JP that invites the public into local artists’ studios and group shows, returns next weekend, Sept. 17 and 18.

Maps and detailed viewing information will be available at venues and are already available at jpopenstudios.com. But with over 40 JPOS venues, the question arises: Where to go to admire local art?

The answer: It depends on how much walking one is prepared to do. The Gazette suggests the following routes. Venues are usually marked by signs or balloons.

Quick Hits

To get the most artists in the shortest time, visit some of the group shows. Start at the Brewery courtyard display at 284 Amory St. before moving onto the “Voices Gallery” at 63 Green St. Close with three big shows at the Eliot School of Fine Arts (24 Eliot St.), the First Unitarian Universalist Church (6 Eliot St.) and the Footlight Club (7A Eliot St.).

Short (under a half-mile)

The densest concentration of JPOS spaces is the Centre/South corridor and Eliot Street. A half-mile walk reaches over a dozen venues including several group shows, the largest of which are at the Eliot School at 24 Eliot St. and First Church UU at 6 Eliot St.

Intermediate (under a mile)

Keep to the main drag on Centre and South streets between the Monument and Pond Street and hang a right on Seaverns Avenue—there are almost 20 locations to visit, including several large group shows. Allow plenty of time, as this is where the crowds will go and will likely be very busy.

Advance (under two miles)

Start at the Pond end of Eliot Street, head to the monument, then north on Centre/South, visiting about 15 of the spaces in the area. Then turn east along Green and Seaverns streets, hitting another three or four locations before heading north towards The Brewery. There are other various venues in the Stony Brook T Station neighborhood, all very densely packed.

Marathon

For the completists, the Gazette recommends starting at the most remote points and moving toward the greatest concentration of venues. Start in Hyde Square, before heading South on Centre Street for the bulk of the venues. Take detours up Eliot Street to Pond Street before moving to the Stonybrook neighborhood.

From Stonybrook, head west along Green and Seaverns streets, then south along the Centre/South corridor.

 

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