The M Gallery is an art gallery in downtown Boston that opened its doors to the public back in September of 2016. It was designed by architect Michael Johnson, and it’s located right across the street from City Hall.
The M Gallery offers visitors the opportunity to explore different styles of contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, and design- all done by local artists or artists trained in other mediums.
Many people know about the M Gallery because of its popular exhibition series called “In Our Own Style.” Each month, the M Gallery curators pick a style as their theme, and then invite artists to create work within that framework.
Some months, the audience gets to choose which artist they want to see produce new work under the given theme, while others are assigned exclusively by the curator.
But no matter who the artist is, every piece is authenticated and displayed with pride at the M Gallery. This show-casing process helps spread the name recognition for each artist, creating a powerful connection between them and the surrounding community.
Since opening its doors, the M Gallery has hosted over twenty exhibitions, including ones focused on fashion, dance, music, and even architecture. These special themed events get lots of attention not just from locals, but also international tourists looking to learn more about the city.
The location of the gallery
Located in Downtown Boston, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is one of the largest art museums in North America with over 250 exhibitions every year.
The museum opened its doors to the public in July 1984 as part of an overall $150 million redevelopment project designed by renowned architect David Fisher. It was later designated a National Historic Landmark and received GSA’s highest recognition — “National Treasure.”
Since then, it has welcomed more than six million visitors who have explored the exhibits, programs, and interactive installations that focus on contemporary art. More than half-a-million people attended the MCA’s first free exhibition back in 1985, making it one of the top 10 most visited sites in the country at that time!
But what many may not realize is that the MCA had humble beginnings. Only five years after opening its doors, curators organized a major survey show celebrating the work of eight living artists. This event helped launch the careers of some of today’s well known artists such as Anselm Kiefer, Mel Boghosian, and Richard Diebenkorn.
Since then, over 150 internationally acclaimed artists have presented their works at the MCA including Ai Weiwei, Chaka Khan, Maya Hayuk, Jenny Holzer, Fiona Rothery, Shin Yeong Seok, and Marina Abramovic.
Art displayed in the gallery
The museum has several exhibition spaces where it displays art. Some of these are larger, more formal exhibitions like “Abstract Expressionism” or “Modern Art After 1945.” These can take up to six months to two years to put together and require more preparation time for the curator and organizers of the show.
But there is also a space dedicated to traveling exhibits which are one month long only! This year so far they have shown artwork related to spring, summer, and fall. One such exhibit was called ‘Floral Empowerment: Beyond Blooming Beauties’ and focused on different styles and cultures of floral painting.
Another exhibition that ran its course at MGB this past winter was an exploration of outsider artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. His work was interesting to watch as he experimented with his skills and influenced others around him.
These types of shows are very popular as people love learning about new artists and their artistic style. They also get to experience some works outside of what they may normally see in galleries.
Admission costs
The museum is free to attend, but it does not mean that all of the exhibits are accessible for every visitor. Some displays may be too expensive or difficult for very young children. There is an additional cost to view some pieces.
The MGalleryBoston website lists all of the exhibit prices. Many of these exhibits have an entry fee that ranges from $5-10 per person. This price includes use of the audio headsets provided and access to the gallery after your visit.
There is also a membership option at the museum which gives you access to special events and discounts. It can be purchased online or at the front desk.
Who is M Gallery Boston affiliated with?
The M Gallery was founded in 2004 by Mark Gil, an artist himself. He partnered up with another art enthusiast to create this business venture. Their mission statement says it all – they exist to inspire people to develop their creative talents and showcase them.
The M Gallery has grown to include both internal and external artists. They aim to have every piece be of top quality so that each one can stand alone as a work of art.
Their goal is not only to help you find new ways to express yourself through creating works of art but also to promote other creatives around the world.
Is there an online version of the gallery?
While it is great to have access to a wide range of art in your home via galleries, there may be times when you want to view some of these collections without traveling or buying anything new. There are many ways to do this!
Many museums offer their collection as well as interactive exhibits and presentations through sites like YouTube and Facebook. They also sometimes release “moving image” versions of some pieces which include video clips.
This can easily be done at home! Most artists will share their social media accounts so that you can take a look at what they post and how they display their work. You might even get lucky and find out where they’re hosting an event!
And while I don’t think we should ever stop supporting our local arts communities (that would be pretty boring!), if you’re looking to expand your artistic horizons beyond your own walls then it’s worth exploring other options.
Do you want to see more of the Boston art scene?
The best way to do that is to attend an event at the M Gallery! They hold frequent events with artists, musicians, and performing groups in their studio space or outside.
At these events there will be talks about the artist and their work, Q&A’s, and sometimes even live demonstrations. Some examples of events held by the M include music concerts (rock bands playing songs or DJs spinning records), film screenings, exhibitions, and performances (acting, singing, or whatever else they are known for).
They also have free opening receptions every two months where people can meet the artists and talk about their works.
Why should I visit M Gallery Boston?
Located in the Back Bay, just one block from the green of The Mall at State Street, M Gallery is an incredible destination for art enthusiasts. They curate exhibitions that are focused around a particular theme or genre to create interactive displays and experiences.
Their exhibition spaces are all-encompassing with plenty of room to roam and interact. There are no closed off areas here! You will get to experience everything fully.
They also hold events such as artist talks, movie screenings, and music sets where attendees can participate. These are very popular and always seem to be packed so don’t wait to check it out!
What makes this place unique is that they only accept donations. All of their resources are paid for by the people who attend their shows and events. This gives them ample opportunity to increase exposure while helping others enjoy art is its own reward.
Visiting M Gallery is like going on a journey through different genres and styles of artwork. It doesn’t matter if you’re not particularly artistic yourself, it’ll still appeal to those who are.
Will there be any events at the gallery?
There are no planned events for this month’s exhibition, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some! The museum is open every day of the week to visitors. You never know, you might just stumble upon an event happening right outside one of the galleries!
The museum offers free entry during Museum Hour — which is Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–noon and 2–5 p.m. During these times, you can hop on over to see what the artists had to say and maybe even grab yourself some art too!
Some exhibitions require tickets so make sure to check out the MGalleryBoston website before coming down to see the show.
