It's A Weekend Art Party In Fort Point!

It’s Friday, and you know what that means — the weekend has officially begun! But this isn’t just any weekend. It’s the third weekend in October, which means one thing for Fort Point: it’s time for the 45th Annual Fort Point Open Studios, hosted by incredible artists and the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC). 

If you’ve lived or worked in Fort Point for a while, you know this is one of the city’s most beloved art traditions — a celebration of creativity, community, and the over 150 artists who make this neighborhood so vibrant. If you’re new to the area, get ready to experience art in studios, galleries, outdoor installations, performances and activities on both sides of the Fort Point Channel. 

And the best part? It’s free — until you fall in love with a piece of art you just have to take home.

45th Annual Fort Point Open Studios

• Friday, October 17, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm (select studios)
• Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 12pm to 6pm
• Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 12pm to 6pm

Explore artist studios, see art demos, join hands-on workshops, and catch live music throughout the weekend. You’ll have the chance to meet artists, see where and how they work, and even participate in creating art yourself. Whether you’re shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, starting your first art collection, or just looking for something inspiring to do this weekend, Fort Point is the place to be.

Don’t forget to check out the Fort Point Fall Open Studios brochure for the full list of participating artists, galleries, and family-friendly activities on both sides of the Channel.

Did you know Fort Point is home to three buildings dedicated to artists? 

• 249 A Street Artist Cooperative, the pioneer, established in the early eighties
• The Artist Building at 300 Summer Street, opened  twelve years later
• Midway Artist Studios (15 Channel Center Street), the youngest, founded in 2005. 

Celebrating 20 Years of Midway Artist Studios

Join Midway artists, alumni and special guests for a weekend full of open studios, performances, demos, installations, and outdoor activities featuring over 50 artists. Don’t miss the highlight of the celebration - cake and punch outdoors on Channel Center Street at 3 PM on Sunday, October 19th - as the community toasts 20 years of creativity, collaboration, and the people, cultural organizations, developers, and the City of Boston who helped build this thriving artist hub.

Midway's 20th Anniversary Program

Whether you come for the art, the community, or the cake, Fort Point will be buzzing with creativity all weekend long. Mark your calendar, bring friends, bring family, and come see what makes this neighborhood one of Boston’s creative centers.

Coastal Resilience Today, Rats Tomorrow, Open Studios This Weekend & More

updated 10/16 with 10/25 voter registration deadline for 11/4th municipal election. 

10/15: South Boston USACE Coast Resiliency Update Meeting at 6pm. Discover long term resilient actions for Fort Point and how they fit in with all of South Boston, as under review by the US Army Corp of Engineers. 

10/16: Let's Talk Rats! Join the City at 6pm for a community listening session to share your feedback on trash collection and learn about the Boston Rodent Action Plan. 

10/17 -10/19: 45th Annual Fort Point Open Studios! Friday hours: 4pm to 7pm. Saturday & Sunday Hours: 12pm to 6pm. 

10/19: Atlantic Wharf's Fall Fest from 10am - 12pm at Waterfront Plaza. Enjoy live music, a magic show, pumpkin decorating, crafts, face painting, and sweet fall treats — all free and open to the public!

10/21: Boston Civic Design Commission Monthly Meeting at 5pm. Agenda announced October 17th.

10/23: BERDO Fest is a free event and central hub for BERDO building owners and property managers to build connections with experts and professionals across the building decarbonization ecosystem. Participants will learn about the projects that the City is recognizing as leading in building decarbonization. The event will feature a vendor fair that will run from 12:00 - 6:00pm, and panel discussions throughout the day. A light lunch will be provided. BERDO Fest takes place at Artists for Humanity, 100 W First St. 

10/24: South Boston Liaison Coffee Hour with Lydia Polaski at 11am at Caffe Nero, 368 Congress Street.

10/25: Last day to register to vote for the November 4th Boston election of Mayor, District Councilors and 8 City Councilors-At-Large.

originally published 10.15.25

South Boston USACE Coast Resiliency Update Meeting

The City of Boston's Office of Climate Resilience invites you to attend a virtual meeting about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Boston Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Feasibility Study in partnership with the City of Boston on:

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

6pm to 8pm

Register

USACE Boston CSRM Appointments are also available starting October 15th. 

The South Boston Coastal Resilience Planning efforts first started in 2018. Over the past 7 years, several draft coastal protection concepts on public and private property have been developed. One funding avenue the City is pursuing for its coastal work is a USACE partnership.

There are several other programs in South Boston: Resilient Moakley Park and Connectors, Resilient Fort Point Channel Infrastructure, Interim Deployables Project, and Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park Resiliency solutions. These City-Led initiatives are working in close collaboration to ensure a whole-of-government approach to building resilience across South Boston. 

The City-Led projects are focusing on closing an assortment of near, mid, and long-term near and mid-term flood pathways whereas the USACE team is developing draft alignments to close long-term flood pathways.

Picking up where our neighborhood plans left off, the USACE team has developed draft alignments to present to you for feedback and questions. Your participation is critical and your input will help guide future direction for this work. 

In case you missed or want a refresher, check out previous USACE engagement events on February 2023 and December 2024.

Lots Going On In & About The Neighborhood This Week

updated 10/07/25 with FP3 Gallery art opening and postponement of 244-284 A St at ComCom. 

10/7: Atlantic Wharf Coffee Hour at 9am at the Fort Point Room, 290 Atlantic Ave. BXP and the Atlantic Wharf team invite all local organizations, community partners and the public to discuss 2025 programming and community engagement with a look ahead to the 2026 calendar of events. Refreshments will be served. 

10/8: Conservation Commission (ConCom) Public Hearing at 6pm. 
The Commission reviews projects to determine what conditions, if any, the Commission will impose in order to protect the interests of the public and private water supply, groundwater, prevention of pollution, flood control, prevention of storm damage, protection of fisheries and land containing shellfish, and protection of wildlife habitat.

2nd Postponement to 11/5th at the request of the applicant- Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-2073 and BOS File No. 2025-034 from Epsilon Associates on behalf of Channelside Acquisitions, LLC, for the proposed construction of a publicly accessible overlook over the Fort Point Channel; construction of retaining walls, platform, and seating for a future public amphitheater; and minor regrading at 15 Necco Street and 244-284 A Street, South Boston Waterfront, MA (25ft Waterfront Area, LUO, Coastal Bank, 100ft Buffer to Coastal Bank, LSCSF).  

10/8: Reserved Channel Development Developer Public Meeting at 6pm. A 42-acre property located along the Reserved Channel and between Summer Street, West First Street, E Street and Pappas Way. Phase 1 covers 13 acres, 8 new buildings (76% labs. 12% Housing, 7% Commercial and 5% Retail / Amenity). Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 843 7844 1512 Passcode: 276046 

10/8: Water Transportation Study Virtual Public Meeting at 6:30pm. 

Boston Harbor and its connecting waterways offer a unique opportunity to provide transportation for people living, working, and visiting. 

Ferry service is an important resource that supports growing neighborhoods. It can provide convenient transit in communities with limited public transportation options and increase the resilience of the larger transportation network, especially when there are disruptions to subway or Commuter Rail service.

This MassDOT–led Water Transportation Study is the first step in this effort. View Water Transportation Study project page.

10/9: Deployables Day is being held jointly with Ready Boston Field Day#2 from 11am to 3pm. Director of Climate Resilience Chris Osgood and Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett will lead a walking tour of downtown deployable flood barriers beginning at 12 pm outside of the Aquarium MBTA station and concluding at 12:30 with a press event on City Hall Plaza, where the Ready Boston Field Day Fair will be taking place and will also include deployable flood barrier vendors and demonstrations, and emergency preparedness tips.

10/9: FP3 Gallery presents For Promotional Use Only opening at 5:30pm at 346 Congress Street. R.S.V.P.

10/9: Fort Point Landmarks October 2025 Meeting at 6pm. On the agenda is 5 Necco, Martin's Park and 253 Summer St.

10/9: The Artists of 249 A Street Cooperative cordially invite you to the opening reception of the 249 A Street Artists 2025 Open Studios Group Show from 6pm to 8pm at the Gallery at 249A. The show will be on view through October 19th.

10/10: The Distillery Gallery presents After Progress, a solo exhibition of a new body of work by artist and community organizer Yolanda He Yang, from 6pm to 8pm. You are invited to bring with you one object—something still precious, but no longer necessary to keep. Over the course of the evening, these objects will circulate: passed between strangers, traded among friends, or simply shared as stories. The Distillery Studios and Gallery is located at 516 East 2nd Street.

Fort Point Landmarks October 2025 Meeting

 THE FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
will hold a public hearing on:
Thursday, October 9, 2025  
6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person.

You can participate in this hearing by going to the Zoom meeting link or by calling 646-828-7666 and entering meeting id 161 673 9227#. You may also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston. 

I.  DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

APP # 26.0231 FPC    5 NECCO STREET
Applicant: Adam Kahn 
Proposed Work: Paint company logo at corners of building. See additional items under administrative review. 

APP # 26.0297 FPC   64 SLEEPER STREET
Applicant: Cassandra Martinez
Proposed Work: Installation of a deployable stop log barrier across the walkway underneath the pedestrian bridge in Martin’s Park, including installation of a level concrete sill and embedded footing across the walkway; installation of cast-in-place concrete walls and footings among the granite blocks on either side of the walkway; and installation of a gate valve on the existing drain line that runs beneath the walkway in this area. See additional items under administrative review. 

II.  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW/APPROVAL

APP # 26.0231 FPC 5 NECCO STREET: Install new signage at entryway. 

APP # 26.0297 FPC 64 SLEEPER STREET: Placement of new granite blocks from the same quarry as existing, minimal grounding of existing fractured or uneven rocks and injection of epoxy into cracks between rocks. All features will be restored or enhanced to match their original condition upon completion.

APP # 26.0246 FPC 253 SUMMER STREET: Emergency masonry repairs - repair and replace sills in kind; install helical ties into the mortar joints; remove and reuse/repair/reset/replace bricks in kind; new mortar to match existing; sealant to match existing mortar color.

III.  RATIFICATION OF 8/14/2025 Hearing Minutes

IV.  STAFF UPDATES

V.  PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:00 PM

Members: David Berarducci, Vacancy, Thomas Rodde, Vacancy, Vacancy, Alternates: Vacancy, Raber Umphenour

Welcome Elephantine Bakery and Backyard Boston

Elephantine Bakery is now open Wednesday through Monday from 8am to 2pm. Stop by 332 Congress Street to enjoy made from scratch pastries, breakfast and lunch items.

Don't skip the workout. Backyard Boston open at 5 Necco and 15 Necco are offering the Fort Point community special introductory rates. New members may try out a week of workouts and classes for $25 or get $100 off the first month of membership and $20 off each month afterwards. You can also get $50 off a 10 class pack. Email info@backyardbos.com to redeem or stop by. 

Help Us Help Our Neighbors

September is Hunger Awareness and Action Month. State Representative David Biele is running a food drive to support the South Boston Community Health Food Center and St. Monica's Food Pantry.

The pantries are in need of non-perishable items, especially:

• Pasta
• Rice
• Cereal
• Tuna and canned meats
• Peanut butter
• Beans
• Mac-n-cheese

If you are able, please bring a non-perishable food donation to our September 30th Gathering from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Community Work Lounge at 15 Necco Street.

South Boston Community Health Center Food Panty

In 2008, Dr. Nisha Thakrar, a pediatrician at South Boston Community Health Center approached the CEO, Bill Halpin, with a concern. She had patients who weren’t making it to the end of the month with their food supply. She had several moms who had to make the choice to forgo a meal so their children could eat. Such was the beginning of the South Boston Community Health Center’s Food Pantry which embraced the “Food is Medicine” belief among the medical community.

Over the past year, the food pantry has had visits from over 1400 households feeding approximately 3000 people. It serves a variety of people – large families, single parents and seniors. Clients visit the pantry every other week.

The food pantry receives 90% of their food from the Greater Boston Food Bank.  While there is a large amount of food that is of no cost at the GBFB (they are allowed to pick up twice a month) the Health Center spent $9400 in 2024 to supplement from other sources as no one is turned away from the food pantry. 

Current needs include non-perishables such as pasta, rice, cereal, tuna, peanut butter.  The pantry also has a new produce refrigerator that we can accept anything - tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, squash, etc. and has the capacity for frozen meats.

St. Monica's Food Pantry

Monica’s Kitchen, is opened to all South Boston Residents.  The pantry is open to shop every Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  Clients may choose the items that we have available.  Food selections are typically, Juice, Milk, Beans, Rice, Sauce, Pasta, Rice, Mac-n-Cheese, Cereal, tuna/canned chicken, meat, and bread.  In addition to the staples, they try to order as much fresh produce or vegetables as possible.

Ninety percent of their food comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank.  The pantry is allowed to order every other week and their weight limit is 8,000 pounds.  When available, they are also able to order full pallets.  Pallets usually consist of prepared meal boxes, pasta, and some fresh vegetables.  

The pantry serves about 250 to 300 people/families weekly.

Together, we can help fight hunger in our community!

Catch Up With Neighbors & All The Neighborhood News September 30th

 FPNA cordially invites you to a
Fall Neighborhood Gathering

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

6 pm to 7:30 pm
Community Work Lounge

15 Necco

or

via Zoom

R.S.V.P. Today

featuring

Our C-6 Community Officers

State Representative David Biele 

9/30th South Boston Food Drive

Legislative Updates

A quick important update on the 

Fort Point Channel Resilient Infrastructure Project 

&

Let's meet some new businesses in the neighborhood!

Elephantine Bakery * Backyard Boston

with

Neighborhood Updates & Fall Surprises

If you can, please bring a non-perishable food item to Help Us Help Our Neighbors.

Fun Free Events This Weekend

On Friday, September 26, 2025, experience a Seaport Spectacular from the Summer Street Steps to the Rocks at Harbor Way starting at 4:30pm until 7:30pm. Enjoy live music, carnival games, caricatures by robot artists, an AI interactive digital graffiti wall, and drinks and food available for purchase. All are welcome to attend this free event. 

On Saturday, September 27th, cheer on community and corporate dragon boat teams participating in Ohana New England (ONE) Dragon Boat Club Invitational Beasts from the East Classic from 9am to 3pm. Dragon boating is a team sport where up to 20 paddlers, plus a steerer and a drummer, work together to propel a boat through the water. 

Bring your household hazardous waste and papers to be shredded to the Public Works Facility at 200 Frontage Road during Zero Waste Day on September 27th from 8:30am to 12pm.  View accepted items list. 

FPAC Harbor Harmonies Accordionist Mattias Kaufmann and pianist Hua Ye will be performing a free concert on Sunday, September 28th at 3pm in the Fort Point Room at Atlantic Wharf (290 Congress St)!

Driven by a shared passion for world music beyond classical and jazz, explore global sounds—from Greek traditions to Argentinian tango, neoclassical textures, and original compositions. They blend improvisation and storytelling to create “Boston Folk,” a genre-fluid dialogue between cultures rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving.

Reserve your free tickets

About The Neighborhood: Don't Overlook Cliff Diving, South Boston Street Fest & More

updated 9/18/25 with 244-284 A Street at ConCom moved to 10/8 and the 39th Annual South End Open Studios this weekend. 

9/17: Environmental Business Council Briefing with Deanna Moran, MA Chief Coastal Resilience Officer, Office of Coastal Zone Management,on the ResilientCoasts initiative from 4pm to 6pm at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, 155 Seaport Blvd. 

9/17: Conservation Commission (ConCom) Meeting at 6pm. Agenda includes the following neighborhood item: postponed to October 8th at the request of the applicant. 

Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-20XX and BOS File No. 2025-0XX from Epsilon Associates on behalf of Channelside Acquisitions, LLC, for the proposed construction of a publicly accessible overlook over the Fort Point Channel; construction of retaining walls, platform, and seating for a future public amphitheater; and minor regrading at 15 Necco Street and 244-284 A Street, South Boston Waterfront (25ft Waterfront Area, LUO, Coastal Bank, 100ft Buffer to Coastal Bank, LSCSF).

9/19-9/20: Red Bull Cliff Diving returns to the ICA for the US finale. The event is open to the public with Round 1 & 2 (Friday) taking place from 9:30am to 11:30am and Round 3 and the Finale taking place Saturday from 10:15am to 1 pm. For a complete event schedule and viewing tips, visit Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at the ICA

9/20: 25th Annual South Boston Street Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on East Broadway between I and L streets. Experience a a vibrant, music-filled, food-packed, shopping-centric block party. For kids, there’s no shortage of fun — touch a truck, balloon twisters, caricature artists, face painters, pirates, princesses, and yes … Bluey will be there! Score one-day-only shopping deals from local shops, browse incredible artwork from South Boston’s creative community, and connect with local nonprofits making a difference in the neighborhood. View more details. (Rain date: Saturday, Sept. 27.)

The Fish & Farm Market continues on Saturdays from 9:30am to 1:30pm through November 1st at the Fish Pier featuring local farmers, fresh seafood, flowers and specialty vendors. There is 30 minute free parking for market customers. If you haven't visited yet, check it out!

9/20 - 9/21:39th Annual South End Open Studios is happening from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. See The Art & Meet the Artists in private studio buildings open to the public ONE WEEKEND ONLY.

About The Neighborhood: Climate Action Plan & Joy of Kayaking

On September 4th, there will be a Climate Action Plan (CAP): Virtual Public Share Back Session at 6pm. The focus of this event will be on reflecting back on public input and sharing how that feedback has been integrated into the CAP, along with an overview of our early draft strategies . The draft 2030 Climate Action Plan lays out a roadmap for 2026-2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to climate impacts including coastal and stormwater flooding, and ensure that the benefits of climate action — clean air, good jobs, healthy homes, and vibrant green spaces — are shared by all.  Register here.

The Joy of Kayaking is taking place on Saturday, September 5th on the Fort Point Channel and in the Seaport from 10am to 3pm. Please extend a warm welcome to the over 400 Roxbury and Dorchester residents who will be exploring Boston's waterfront by land and sea. The Channel will be active with kayakers courtesy of Piers Park Sailing Center, and paddlers with Ohana dragon boat team.

This Weekend: Early Voting, Beats on the Beach & All That Jazz

updated 8/27/25 with Sunday evening's Gospel Fest. 

There's lots going on in the neighborhood this weekend from early voting to the 15th annual Boston Jazz Festival to the Beats on the Beach Block Party, and did we mention it is all free? 

The Preliminary Municipal Election takes place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. 
The last day to register to vote in the preliminary election is this Saturday, August 30th. You may register online or by mail.
Early voting starts this Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st at the Condon School from 11am to 7pm at 200 D Street. Tuesday, September 2nd, through Friday, September 5th, you may vote early at City Hall Haymarket Room. Hours are: Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 8pm and Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5pm. There are 4 candidates for Mayor (pick 1), 3 candidates for District 2 City Councilor (pick 1) and 10 candidates for the 4 City Council At-Large seats (pick 4). The top two vote getters for Mayor and District 2 and the top 8 for At-Large will advance to the November 4th election. View Early Voting Ballot for South Boston wards 6 & 7. 

The 15th Annual Boston Jazz Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 29-30 2025 Maritime Park in Boston’s Seaport District from 5:00 -10 PM Friday . Saturday b12:00 Noon till 10:00 PM. Each year, BJF features performances by some of the best jazz musicians in the business! View line up by clicking above.

Save The Harbor/Save The Bay Beats on the Beach Block Party

When: 8/30 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

What: Pull up for a night of free music, art, and food on Lawn on D! Featuring acts from Chelita, Deevo Da Genius, Lilith, TOMO, ToriTori, DJ Rayvino. Hosted by DJ WhySham. Shop at a 40+ vibrant local art mart with art, crafts, clothes, jewelry, and more!

Where: The Lawn on D, 420 D St.

The 25th Annual Boston Gospel Fest, is taking place on August 31st at the Leader Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave. This vibrant celebration of gospel music will fill the air with uplifting melodies and powerful performances. The free event kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.  Doors will open at 4 p.m.   

originally published 08.26.25