Three Pop-up Gallery Receptions and Street Art Announced for Oct. 5

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) announced it is organizing a blowout for downtown Springfield on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. The district has partnered with 1550 Main Street, New England Public Radio (NEPR), and SilverBrick Lofts to open three galleries in unexpected spaces simultaneously, which it is calling Art Stop. Between the galleries, which will have the typical artist talks, drinks, and appetizers, there will be street performances and other surprises.

“We are so excited to throw a party in downtown Springfield,” said SCCD Director Morgan Drewniany. “There’s always a demand for more community-based events, and we’ve been working hard to make this something special. It’s not just a gallery opening; it’s going to be an exciting event that completely enlivens Main Street between Bridge and Taylor and shows what the district hopes to see more of downtown.”

The SCCD, along with organizing the curation of art in all three spaces, has hired unique buskers to encourage attendees to walk from place to place. There will be activities between the 1550 Plaza and SilverBrick Lofts ranging from student films to speed painting to acoustic, indie, and traditional fiddle music. Inside the galleries, visitors can ask the artists questions one on one and key down from their workday.

Art Stop will take place on the same night as the Springfield Public Forum featuring Nancy Lublin, a global nonprofit superstar, which will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees of the gallery walk who show proof that they attended one of the Art Stops will receive a special (and artistic) gift if they attend the forum.

A call for art was issued in August from the SCCD, asking local artists interested in selling their work downtown to submit proposals. Art Stop was designed to both activate underutilized community spaces with colorful art, but also create economic opportunity for artists.

The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.