General Event Information
Somerville Open Studios 2018
It's here! The 20th annual Somerville Open Studios (SOS).
Over 360 local artists
are opening their studios and workshops to the public this year. Come visit the artists, experience art and explore the community.
All SOS events and locations are entirely free. There's no charge. There's no catch. Just come experience art and be part of the community!
Saturday + Sunday, May 5 + 6, Noon - 6 pm
Artist Directory
Preview selected sites Friday, May 4, 6-9pm
Friday Artists
or try out our
Mobile Optimized Artist Directory
SOS will have an information booth in Davis Square's Statue Plaza, near JP Licks, on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5:30 pm.
For a complete calendar view, see our Visitor Calendar page.
SOS 2018 Exhibits
SOS First Look Exhibit
April 23 - May 12, 2018
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 22, 4-6 pm
Somerville Museum 1 Westwood Road (map)
The SOS First Look Exhibit offers the best opportunity to preview the studios and artists' work. All SOS participating artists are invited to submit work, creating a group show that is unparalleled in diversity and excitement. Come to SOS First Look to plan your weekend.
On all three days of SOS weekend, the First Look Exhibit opens earlier than the rest of SOS.
Hours:
- Thurs-Fri, April 26-27: 2-8 pm
- Sat, April 28: 12-8 pm
- Sun, April 29: 12-5 pm
- Wed, May 2: 5-8 pm
- Thurs, May 3: 2-8 pm
- Fri, May 4: 2-9 pm
- Sat-Sun, May 5-6: 11 am - 6 pm
- Thurs, May 10: 2-7 pm
- Fri, May 11: 2-5 pm
- Sat, May 12: noon - 5 pm
SOS Volunteer Show
Some of the volunteer artwork at Diesel
April 14 - May 15, 2018
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 26, 6-8 pm
Diesel Cafe, 257 Elm St, Davis Square (map)
SOS is created and run by scores of fantastic volunteers from within and around our community. The Volunteer Show highlights work from this dedicated, civic-minded group of artists in Davis Square's popular and locally owned Diesel Cafe.
This year's show features works of art by SOS volunteer-artists both past and present. View it while enjoying tasty Forge Bakery treats from our friends at Diesel and perusing your SOS map booklet.
Diesel Cafe is open Monday-Friday 6 am - 9:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7 am - 9:30 pm.
Cracked: The Nut Show
NEW for SOS 2018!
April 20 - May 15, 2018
Q's Nuts, 349 Highland Avenue (map)
How do you like your nuts? Salty, smoky, or sweet? Perhaps fiery hot? Roasted or raw? Do you savor them solo or munch them mixed? Are they a healthy snack, a bygone airplane freebie, the state of the country? Maybe you've just always loved the intricate shadows and curves in the flesh of a walnut. Come to Q's Nuts and see how SOS's artists have rendered this delectable food.
The show, displayed in the shop's Willow Avenue and Highland Avenue windows, features works by Adam Adkison, Laurinda Bedingfield, Sarah Dudek, Pauline Lim, Emily Lu, Hilary Scott, and Vanessa R. Thompson.
Q's Nuts is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-7pm, but you can see the artwork at any time.
2018 Kids' Art Show
April 21 - May 6, 2018
Cupcake reception: Saturday, April 21, 2-4 pm
Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave. (map)
Work by the littlest of Somerville's Future Artists.
For information on this show, see the SOS Kids page.
Inside-OUT Gallery at CVS
early April to mid-May, 2018
CVS, One Davis Square (map)
Stroll by the CVS window in Davis Square, and stop to enjoy a retrospective exhibit highlighting the 20 year history of art and community from Somerville Open Studios, on view 24/7.
SOS member gallery shows
Gimme Shelter
April 26 - May 26, 2018
Opening reception: Sunday, April 29, 4-6 pm
Brickbottom Gallery, One Fitchburg Street (map)
For the spring 2018 Members' Exhibition Gimme Shelter, Brickbottom Artists Association members will show work exploring themes of home, studio, family, community, stability on both personal and political/global levels. The show is part of Brickbottom's year-long 30th anniversary celebration.
SOS weekend hours (May 3-6): Thursday and Friday 12-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12-6 pm
Regular hours: Thursday-Saturday, 12-5 pm
More information on Brickbottom Gallery's Gimme Shelter page
Secret Gardens
May 4 - June 17, 2018
Opening reception: Saturday, May 19, 3-5 pm
Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Boulevard (map)
Secret Gardens revels in the beauty and wonder of botany, and explores how botanical imagery can symbolize ideas, attributes, morality lessons and more. We think of sexuality, fertility and feminine power when looking at O'Keeffe's flower paintings; conversely, of death, vice and virtue in Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights. In literature, the garden motif is often used. Gardens are places representing wonder and innocence (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) that can quickly turn to a place of sorrow with a single misstep (Garden of Eden). They are places where secrets are buried and forbidden romantic liaisons take place. They are sources of nourishment - both literal and figurative - where life can end and, yet, rejuvenation begins (The Secret Garden).
SOS weekend hours (May 4-6): Friday 6-9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12-6 pm
Regular hours: Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 pm
More information on the Nave Gallery's Secret Gardens page
Past events
Beyond the Pattern: The SOS Fashion Show
Thursday, May 3, 2018, 7-9 pm
Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. (map)
A live runway presentation showcasing the dazzlingly diverse work of local artists in fashion and accessories.
See our Beyond the Pattern page for more information.
Flatbread SOS Fundraiser
Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 5-11 pm
Flatbread/Sacco's Bowl-Haven, 45 Day Street, Davis Square (map)
Eat Tasty Flatbread, Support SOS! A portion of all pizza sales on this day will go to support Somerville Open Studios.