The Arts&Film expansion is finally here on the Boston Compass

Some spots are taking the month to gear down and prepare for an explosion that will be the fall season, EXCEPT for some near and dear spaces,

namely: ANTHONY GREANEY & BLANC GALLERY.

Their hiatus, and eventual change of venue under compromising circumstances, has stirred some age old discussions about lacking support for experimentation/emerging concepts/projects/Artists in the Boston scene

(Remember THIS article && the great responses via Zilla HERE )

The Compass crew took the chance to round up some comments on what’s going on with this sitch, from some movers and do-ers in the Boston scene:

Greer Muldowney — Independent Curator/NHIA/NEIA/Magenta Foundation/Photographer

Well- Anthony in particular came as a shock. With less experimental spaces, the arts community has less opportunity for growth, and particularly experimentation, when thinking about these two spaces. It may give opportunity for those artists and creatives that feel the loss in-particular to look for new outlets and spaces. It could potentially spur more opportunity, if we are proactive.

Caitie Moore– Editor of Aint-Bad Magazine/ Photographer

I think that it is a shame to see the temporary demise Blanc and Anthony Greaney, two of Boston’s more avant garde gallery spaces. The two spaces are arguably amongst the most “non-commercial” spaces in the city, however, they perpetually hosted exhibitions that questioned and pushed the boundaries of what a gallery is and it is intended to provide for its viewers. The loss of these two spaces is incredibly detrimental to the Boston art scene, perhaps not immediately obvious, but in its spirit and soul that it is trying so desperately to hold onto. What does it say about a city that challenges free spirit and experimental creativity, what does it say about our art scene and how cutting edge we are allowed to become. How insanely frustrating it is for artists and art enthusiasts in the city to constantly see the rise and fall of such important spaces…the cycle continues

Guarionex Rodriguez Jr. – Photographer/Bodega/EsGiant

No room for new creative people to showcase their vision. Creates a lack of artistic culture in Boston. It doesn’t allow for competition to see new amazing work.

Lucy Watson – Artist/Curator/SMARTY/FDOME

Spaces and venues are fluids. Life is a gas. Just kidding but really though. it is the people that matter. The people exist. They didn’t die. Boston was prudish and will remain prudish. It is a shame but I have seen things come and go.

PHIL FRYER– ARTIST/THE PRESENT TENSE/TOOMS

It’s sad, It’s the plight of the alternative space. It’s the cycle that will never be as long as you hope it to be. BUT it’s short and sweet, soon enough we’ll be starting that ride again

Sandrine Schaefer– Artist/THE PRESENT TENSE/Montserrat College of Art

Boston is a transitory place for so many people.  Art spaces coming and going is part of the cyclical nature of the city.  It’s always a bit sad to see this happen, but there are so many creative minds that have maintained significant and long-term activity shifting between physical spaces or without physical spaces at all (Mobius, MEME, The Present Tense, The Berwick Research Institute, etc).  After living here for 15 years, my mourning process for spaces that close or go on hiatus is never very long…Often times, a space closes and the people involved move on to create something new…it’s very rare that the energy behind the space disappears completely…