Roslindale Open Studios to Celebrate 20 Years of Art, Creativity, and Community

Free, family-friendly event returns October 17 & 18 with more than 100 artists in 40 locations.

Art is in the air in Roslindale. For two decades, artists in this vibrant Boston neighborhood have welcomed the public into their creative spaces to see where art is made, connect with the community, and explore – and shop for – paintings, drawings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media. When Roslindale Open Studios (ROS) returns the weekend of October 17-18, more than 100 artists will exhibit their work at home studios, group sites, and businesses from 11:00AM-5:00PM each day.

Much more than an art show, ROS is a beloved annual tradition and a family-friendly, immersive neighborhood event. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy live art demonstrations and art-making activities, plus entertainment on Birch Street Plaza including live music, a puppet show, balloon animals, and face painting. There will also be a ‘Home Studio Bingo’ raffle. 

On Saturday, October 17, Roslindale also features the popular Roslindale Village Main Street’s Farmers Market in Adams Park; on Sunday, October 18, ROS will coincide with Open Streets Boston, which will transform Roslindale Square between Belgrade Avenue and Washington Street into a vibrant, car-free area. 

"What began as a chance for artists to share their work has grown into a weekend-long celebration of creativity, where visitors wander from home studios to storefronts, meet the artists behind the work, and run into neighbors along the way. Twenty years in, there is still so much to explore, but the heart of ROS remains the same: bringing people together through art and celebrating what makes our community special," said Kasey Davis Appleman, President of Roslindale Open Studios.

ROS was founded as a grassroots project by the Roslindale Arts Alliance, led by Janice and Glenn Williams.

“My wife, Janice, and I started Roslindale Open Studios to promote the thriving community of artists in our neighborhood,” said Glenn Williams. “We saw similar events happening in Fort Point and the South End and thought, ‘We have just as many talented artists right here in our own back yard. Let’s bringpeople to Roslindale to see and support their work.’ All of these years later, I’m proud to witness how ROS, and the neighborhood overall, has flourished.”

In addition to the dedicated group of volunteers who plan the event each year, ROS is supported by local businesses. This year, 10 businesses are hosting more than 15 exhibiting artists in Roslindale Square and more than 30 businesses and artists support ROS as event sponsors. 

“Our firm is excited to be the headline sponsor of Roslindale Open Studios on its twentieth anniversary,” said Roslindale resident Chris Lang, founder and partner at Lang Coakley LLC, a local law firm. “Open Studios showcases the creativity, diversity, and community spirit that make Roslindale a truly unique neighborhood in Boston. Through our sponsorship, we hope to play a small part continuing ROS's mission of brining the community together for a weekend of celebrating art and embracing the artists who create it.”

Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate this historic 20th ROS by fully exploring Roslindale’s rich and diverse arts community. Many artists, activities, and events are in close proximity to each other, making it easy to walk from one location to the next. For a map, a complete list of participating artists, studio locations, and the full schedule of events, visit
www.roslindaleopenstudios.org. 

EVENT DETAILS:

• WHAT: 20th Annual Roslindale Open Studios
• WHEN: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 11:00AM-5:00PM
• WHERE: Roslindale Square and across Roslindale, Massachusetts
• ADMISSION: Free! Art and crafts will be available for purchase.
• SPONSORED BY: The headline sponsor of this event is Lang Coakley LLC. Other generous sponsors include more than 30 local businesses and artists. In addition, Roslindale Open Studios is funded in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

About Roslindale Open Studios (ROS)

Roslindale Open Studios is the neighborhood’s largest celebration of local art, connecting artists, residents, small businesses, and visitors through a weekend of creativity and community. Planned by a volunteer committee, ROS welcomes new members and supporters year-round.

ROS is a registered 501(c)(3) Massachusetts charitable organization. This program is funded in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.