Fort Point Channel is a neighborhood that has gone through many changes over time; nonetheless, the pride of its community members shows through its distinction as hosting the city's first artists open studios in 1979. Only thirty years later, the area is experiencing radical change as new developments along Fort Point Channel and on the South Boston Waterfront contend with well-established elements of the neighborhood. Common Boston will showcase art and architecture at the intersection of the community's changing demographics through tours of the neighborhood, the under-construction FP3, and the LEED Gold certified addition to the Children's Museum.
All events are free and open to the public. Some events may require pre-registration.
Email fpc@commonboston.org for pre-registration.
Events for this Common Point
Click on other Common Point titles in the menu bar to view events happening at those locations. Check back soon for updates!
Ongoing
- Walk
the Dig: An Untravel
mobile media tour: Tour website
This is an iPod-guided walk along the critical 1.2-mile section of the Big Dig known by the contractors as “The Missing Link.” Starting at the World Trade Center, you walk over this critical section of the project. Brought to you by Untravel Media.
- Chalk
One Up with Sidewalk Sam:
12:00 - 1:30PM.
Takes place off of Farnsworth Street, on the Private Way behind FP3, across from Flour Bakery (Google street view)
Stop by to see staff from area architecture firms show their talents in chalk on the sidewalk, led by Boston's own folk artist, Sidewalk Sam. Vote for your favorite piece of sidewalk art! Tours of FP3 may be available. Also enjoy light refreshments in the FP3 Gallery supplied by Sportello. (voting results)
June 19th
- Artists
for Humanity EpiCenter Tour: 12:00-1:00 PM. Meets
at
100 West Second Street (Google map)
Tour the environmentally sustainable headquarters of Artists for Humanity. The first LEED Platinum building in Boston, designed by Arrowstreet, this building tour highlights the combination of needs required by a non-profit organization, including sustainability, functionality, and creative design.
Tour to be led by Andrew Motta (Operations Director, Artists for Humanity) and Jim Batchelor (Principal, Arrowstreet).
Pre-registration is required.
- Historical
Photo Discussion of Fort Point and Big Dig:
1:00-2:30 PM. Meets at ADD Inc., 311 Summer Street (Google map)
Peter Vanderwarker is co-author of Cityscapes of Boston and has a great deal of knowledge of the history of Fort Point Channel. He will share the history of the channel through a photography presentation and discussion by shedding light on the landmarks abutting the channel, the construction of the Ted Williams Tunnel and share his thoughts on the future of this vibrant community.
Event to be led by Peter Vanderwarker.
Pre-registration is required.
- FPAC
Artists' Housing Tour: 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM. Meets at the FPAC Gallery, 300 Summer Street.
(Google map) See the Fort Point
Channel area
through the artist eyes. Visit three artist live / work buildings;
including The Artist Building at 300 Summer St, 249 A Street and Midway
Studios on Channel Center St.
Tour led by artist and FPAC board member Jane Deutsch.
Pre-registration is recommended.
- Box
City: Hands-On City Planning for Families: 10:00
AM - 12:00 PM. Meets at Made in Fort Point
(FPAC store),
12 Farnsworth St, off Congress Street:next to Flour Bakery and Cafe,
2 blocks east of the Children's
Museum (Google, Mapquest).
Box City is a hands-on,
interdisciplinary
experience in architecture and community planning led by volunteer
architects from Learning by Design in Massachusetts, a K-12
architecture and design education program. Participants will
consider the spaces and places of the Fort Point Channel neighborhood
and work together to design and build buildings and structures while
thinking about what makes a good city and community. This is
a
drop-in session – you are welcome to come any time during the
2 hour
event, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Event to be led by Learning By Design.
Pre-registration is recommended.
- "Making
a Neighborhood out of Fort Point Channel" walking tour:
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Meets at the Information Kiosk inside
South
Station (Google map).
Join Boston By Foot and Common Boston as we explore the Seaport district and vibrant Fort Point Channel neighborhood, recently nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Point, a once-forgotten industrial area, is now the home of New England’s largest artistic community. These areas are also the focus of dynamic real estate development and fascinating visions for the community’s future.
Tour led by Boston By Foot.
Pre-registration is recommended.
- "Fort
Point Channel: Boston's New Central Park" walking tour:
11:00 AM - 12:30PM. Meets at Broadway T Station (Google map) Walking
tour of Fort Point Channel discussing the history and evolution of Fort
Point/Fan Pier neighborhoods, while highlighting the art, architecture
and development planning of the community. The tour will
focus on
the BRA's 100 Acres Plan, including a visual overview of the Boston
Wharf Co. Historic Landmark Distirct, and discussion on multi-use
connections to the Fort Point Channel-Boston Harbor Waterfront. Current
planned development, including the artist's place in the community will
also be discussed.
John Stebbins and Emily Grandstaff-Rice (architects at Cambridge Seven Associates) and Michael Tyrrell (Urban Planner, and Fort Point District Resident Historian).
Pre-registration is recommended.
- Family
Interactive Tour of Fort Point Channel: 1:00 PM -
2:00PM. Meets at Made in Fort Point (FPAC Store),
12 Farnsworth St,
off Congress Street; next to Flour Bakery, 2 blocks east of
the
Children's
Museum (Google, Mapquest)
A hands-on walking tour of the architectural elements of Fort Point Channel for children 7+ years accompanied by an adult. Tour encourages children to observe, seek, reflect and draw the Fort Point neighborhood. Tour led by Learning by Design in Massachusetts, a K-12 architecture and design education program.
Tour led by Cortney Kirk, Learning by Design in Massachusetts.
Pre-registration is required.
- "Experience
Design" Tour: 12:00 PM - 3:00PM Fort Point Channel is home
to
many architecture and design firms. Join
us for a self-guided tour of various Architectural Firms and Businesses
in the neighborhood, including Cecil Group, Neoscape,
Spalding
Tougias Architects, and Merge
Architects.
Drop-in
event. To receive guide information pick up anytime during
session
at Made in Fort Point (The FPAC Store),
12 Farnsworth St, off
of Congress Street:right
next to Flour Bakery and Cafe, 2 blocks east of the Children's
Museum (Google, Mapquest)
Pre-registration is recommended.
- A
Building that Teaches: A Tour of the Newly Renovated Boston Children's
Museum: 1:30 PM - 3:00PM. Meets outside the front
entrance to the Boston
Children's Museum (Google map). The LEED Gold Boston
Children’s Museum combines a concern for the planet
with an
understanding of
child development. The project combines the restoration of a warehouse
with an
open and naturally ventilated new lobby and gallery. This green museum
is now a
building that teaches children and families about the impact of the
buildings
on the environment and what they can do at home to help.
Tour led by Neil Gordon (Executive Vice President/CEO, the Children's Museum) and Peter Kuttner (President, Cambridge Seven Associates.)
Pre-registration is required.
- Live/Work
Spaces in downtown: 3:30 PM. Meets at FP3, 346
Congress St (Google map)
Tour the recently completed and acclaimed FP3 mixed-use development, designed by Hacin + Associates, ending the tour at Drink - a popular new bar in the development. Tour led by David Hacin.
LIMITED SPACE - Pre-registration is REQUIRED.