Dirty Smelly Noisy

Dirty, Smelly, Noisy Two - June 2009
Western Avenue Studios

A Bit of History . . .

On January 28, 2008, the Lowell, MA Zoning Board of Appeals denied a special permit to the Western Avenue Lofts project which would have provided 48 affordable artist live/work spaces in the G-Mill of the Western Avenue Studios Complex.

One of the arguments put forth by Zoning Board members was that the Western Avenue area was too dirty, smelly and noisy to be conducive to creativity.  Another was that artists would not be happy living and working in an industrial area.

In response to the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Western Avenue Studios Artist Association created an exhibit showcasing 160 pieces of art, from as far away as Edmonton Alberta Canada, called ‘Dirty, Smelly, Noisy’ that was mounted in common areas of the studio buildings and on the grounds of the Western Avenue Studios Complex in June of last year.

The exhibit was open to any artist who wished to make a statement about the inspiration to be found in industrial areas, about where artists are happy living and working or about the difficulties that we face in finding places to live and work.

On Monday, August 25th, 2008 a revised proposal was presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals and was approved!

The artist live/work project is moving forward, the owner is working to secure funding for the first phase of the project which would build 46 artist live/work rental units in the G-Mill.  (See www.liveatwas.com)

This Exhibit!

In celebration and support of the live/work project, the Western Avenue Studios Artist Association is presenting Dirty, Smelly, Noisy Two.  Like the first exhibit, this is open to any artist who is inspired by industrial areas and who wants to make a statement about where artists are happy living and working and about the difficulties that we face in finding places to live and work.

We welcome installation art, 2d, 3d, video, audio, we do not have sources of funding so the artist will be responsible for shipping, and installation costs.

We strongly encourage unframed reproductions of original work that can be pinned to common area walls.

This exhibit is not juried, there will be no entry fee, we will display all work received, with the proviso that because the work will be seen by the general public - work should meet generally accepted standards for public decency.

If work is sold, the Western Avenue Studios Artist Association will collect a 10% commission to help offset costs associated with the exhibit.. Payment checks will be sent to address on record within 15 days of close of exhibit.

Deadlines

Notice of Intent to enter work - postmarked no later than 4/30/09
Work due - receive for hanging no later than 5/25/09
Exhibit dates - June 1-30, 2009
Opening party - 6/6/09 5:30 - 9pm
Work returned by July 25, 2009

Notices of Intent to enter should be sent to info@dirtysmellynoisy.com Shipping instructions and exhibit contract will be forwarded to those who send notices of intent to enter.

Please note:  Work that is submitted for DSN Two, must be available for the duration of the exhibit.

Western Avenue Studios is located at 122 Western Avenue in Lowell, MA.
 We currently have 143 studios that offer work space to 180 artists of all media.  For information about WAS go to www.westernavenuestudios.com.