Western Avenue Studios is successful thanks to the perseverance of the existing owner, BPV Lowell, LLC - in the face of numerous hurdles - and the strength of the unique artists’ community created here. BPV Lowell, LLC acquired the mill in 2005, reaching out to artists with the assistance and support of the Arts League of Lowell. Many artists were frustrated and disheartened, having already lost their affordable studio space in Boston, then in Lowell, due to the rising real estate market. Spaces designated as affordable artists’ live/work spaces were rapidly snapped up by non-artists, eager to be immersed in the creative mileu. Western Avenue Studios changed the artists’ lives.
Activity at Western Avenue Studios started on the 5th floor in the C/D Mill, where the first lottery awarded spaces to artists on a first come/first served basis, once their number was called. This initial lottery provided enough commitments to start significant rehabilitation work on the C/D Mill. Artists were able to begin to enjoy their new studios during the summer of 2005. In September, 2005, the artists and their benefactors enjoyed the First Annual Western Avenue Open Studios Gala Premier. The 4th and then 3rd floors of the C/D Mill were rehabbed and opened in January and August of 2006, respectively. Monthly Open Studios became the norm.
Leveraging the clear success of the C/D Mill, the 3rd then 2nd floors of the A Mill were opened in August and November of 2007. This increased the total number of studios to 143, shared by more than 200 artists of all disciplines. Throughout 2006 and 2007, BPV Lowell, LLC and the artists initiated and continued efforts to effect a zoning change allowing residential rental live/work studios at Western Avenue Studios.
Launched in 2008 with the assistance of a grant from the Lowell Cultural Council, the Loading Dock Gallery (LDG) has become an essential part of Western Avenue Studios. Run by artists with their contributions of time and money, the Loading Dock Gallery offers curated gallery space for artists’ shows and sales of their work. The Loading Dock Gallery now operates independently, and is an essential link to the public outside of Open Studios hours.
During 2008, the 2nd floor of the B Mill was acquired for music rehearsal and studio recording space. The money from that sale was plowed back into the rehabilitation of the 2nd floor of C/D Mill.
Finally, thanks to a successful zoning change by the City of Lowell in early 2009, BPV Lowell, LLC is currently working on obtaining funding so that 46 units of live/work space can be added to the complex in the G Mill building.
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