What WAS is

Western Avenue Studios (WAS) has evolved into one of those great success stories, the kind where everybody wins.  After a major industrial user left Western Avenue in 2005, BPV Lowell repositioned the site to serve a growing need in the arts community for affordable studio space in Lowell.  With some imaginative planning, and close collaboration with city leaders, BPV Lowell was able to rescue this century-old factory building in the heart of Lowell and turn it into a thriving artists’ community.  As a result, what was might have become just another ramshackle old mill on Western Avenue is now an economic boon to the city of Lowell, a cultural icon, and a magnet for artists from around the region.  In fact, WAS now houses one of the largest concentrations of working artists in the northeastern U.S.

WAS Background:

In the first phase, BPV Lowell offered artist studios for rent at very affordable rates to help local artists stay in Lowell. The fifth floor of the C/D Mill at Western Avenue Studios opened its 31 studio doors to working artists on September 1, 2005. In 2006 the studios began to expand downward in the building . . .  to the 4th and then third floor of the C/D Mill. In 2007 the A Mill joined the C/D mill as studios with the 3rd floor opening in August and the 2nd floor opening in November of 2007.  The studios on the 2nd floor of the C/D Mill opened in the spring of 2009 bringing the total number of studios to 143 with more than 200 artists working at Western Avenue. WAS is a vibrant, active artist community that is fully leased with a waiting list, even though we have not advertised in over three years.  The artist community is incredibly strong and Western Avenue Studios stays full by word of mouth.

Since opening day, Western Avenue Studios artists have contributed to the cultural life of the City of Lowell.  In addition to participating in the annual citywide Lowell Open Studios event and holding monthly First Saturday Open Studios, WAS has provided venues for Greater Lowell Womens Week, the Lowell Quilt Festival Lowell Photography Weekend and has partnered with local non-profit organizations including the Lowell Humane Society, The Miracle Providers NorthEast and the Revolving Museum. The summer of 2009 marked the fourth year of the Free Summer Art Program for Children.