Dirty Smelly Noisy

Exhibition June 2008, Western Avenue Studios

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 is 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.  Another, that no one would want to locate next to the Pawtucket Canal.

The 160 artists who work in the 121 studios located in the Main building and A-Mill of the complex take exception to these arguments!
               
In response to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Western Avenue Studios Artists have created 'Dirty, Smelly, Noisy' an exhibition that will be mounted in the common areas of the studio buildings and on the grounds of the Western Avenue Studios Complex in June. 

A national call for artwork was put out on the internet in March and artists from as far away as Edmonton Alberta Canada responded!  Artists were asked to send artwork that addressed 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.