SOS Spots
Fringe | Friend | East
East Somerville might be slightly off the beaten path, as only two studios will
be open in this area for this year's event. But it would be a mistake not to take
a small eastward detour from what might be a busy SOS itinerary. In fact, 76 artists
will actually show their work in East Somerville: 75 clay artists at the Mudflat
Studio, at its new location on Broadway, and ... one photographer, Christian Waeber, nearby at 86 Glen
Street. Mudflat and Christian Waeber each have their own trolley stop on Cross St.
Understandably, you might be tempted to visit only Mudflat, and skip the short walk to Christian's Studio, but why not include some history in your cultural weekend, and follow the historic walking tour guide of East Somerville in your schedule? The Guide can be downloaded from the East Somerville Main Streets main page, or by clicking on this link. East Somerville has dramatically changed since its early days! Find out the exciting facts on the "From Mansions to Mudflats: East Somerville’s Cornucopia of Cultural Treasures" walking tour led by Edward Gordon, President of the New England chapter of the Victorian Society in America. Meet on Sunday at 3.30pm at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant; this tour stops at the newly renovated Mudflat Studio/former theatre at 81 Broadway, and concludes ~ 5:00pm with appetizers provided by local businesses. Rain or shine.
To give the historic walking tour extra interest, Christian Waeber is organizing a little contest: pick up a card with the pictures of 4 East Somerville buildings he photographed at night, and email him or TXT (617 251 6537) the street address of the 4 buildings. The winner will receive one signed 16x20 photograph of "Taqueria Montecristo at night", the 2nd place will receive an East Somerville tote bag, and the third place will receive a "A Night in East Somerville" Limited Edition Card Set.
While you are on the East Somerville Main Streets page, or when you visit our studios, make sure you download or pick up the East Somerville Eats restaurant guide to East Broadway. This half mile stretch includes a surprising array of global delicacies and surprises, and eating here can be as much a cultural experience as a gastronomic one. East Somerville artists enjoy going to Casey's, especially on Red Sox Opening Day, and many of them eat at Maya Sol, Vinny's, Fasika, or Taco Loco, to name just a few. If you'd rather cook, come and pick up a copy of the "Savoring East Somerville Cookbook & Neighborhood Guide", on sale at Christian's open studio.
But back to art and East Somerville's Open Studios ...
Mudflat's Open Studio will feature the work of 75 Mudflat artists, showing an exceptional variety of functional and sculptural claywork (www.mudflat.org). Take a chance on their raffle of pottery and sculpture donated by the artists to benefit Mudflat's Scholarship Fund - YOU select which pieces you'd like to win! Drawing will be held at 5:30 pm on Sunday, May 6th. Admission to this event is free and wheelchair accessible. Sale hours: 6-10pm (Friday, May 4th), and 10am to 6pm (May 5th and 6th).
Christian Waeber's photography studio will feature two floors filled with many of his unique photographs of Somerville at night, as well as many other images (check out his web site, www.cwaeber.com), most of them at a special Open Studio price.
Click on map markers for more information.