Our History

In 1986 a group of artists at the Boston Center for the Arts invited friends and neighbors into their studios to view their art. As other artists in the area became interested in the event, the United South End Artists was formed, and the South End Open Studios weekend came into being. Today the event covers a dozen studio buildings and more than 250 artists, encompassing all of Boston’s South End, attracting thousands of visitors from surrounding towns as well as the greater Boston area. In 1996 the USEA was granted 501(c)3 status. The South End Open Studios event allows visitors to see where and how art is made, and to meet the artists.

The USEA also sponsors several other art events during the year.

USEA Board Members

Jenn Sherr  (Co-Chair)
Jen Matson  (Co-Chair)
Kalimah Rahim  (Board Member)
Anne Smart  (Treasurer)

Our Mission

To cultivate a community that promotes art and artistic development in Boston’s South End.

We believe that an informed artist is a creative artist, and that an informed audience is an engaged audience. We believe that art is not only meant to be seen and shared, but also something to be experienced. Toward these ends we are dedicated to:

– Annual sponsorship of South End Open Studios — a premier venue for showcasing the works of South End artists
– Create opportunities for artists to meet and learn from each other: sponsored talks relating to art and the business of art, monthly urban sketching, monthly digital classified ads/exchanges, quarterly artist get- togethers, etc.
– Digital promotion of members through social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr, etc.

The USEA is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of artists in Boston’s South End. Our events are made possible by charitable contributions from businesses, institutions, and private individuals.