Anyone able to use a popup space in Davis?

[Christopher Beland]

In case anyone missed it, at our last monthly meeting Ward 6 Councillor Lance Davis let us know the city is actively looking for parties (I'm thinking businesses, non-profits, and individual creators) who could do short-term activations vacant storefronts in Davis Square. We've also heard positive things on the landlord side about willingness to make this happen. That might take the form of a pop-up store or a special art exhibition. The new mayoral administration is apparently making a serious effort to reform the permitting process so this becomes feasible. (I've heard some past efforts failed because it took months longer to get permits for a popup than the popup would be open.)

If you are part of an enterprise that could put a vacant storefront to good short-term use, get in touch with Councillor Davis at lda...@somervillema.gov and also let the DSNC know! It would be interesting to get updates from the popup tenant side, and the DSNC might be able to help overcome any obstacles or publicize events and openings. Feel free to share the word with anyone you think might be interested.

-B.

[Christopher Beland]

I think anything from a shoestring art gallery paying nothing in rent and getting inspection fees waived or a Somerville Arts Council grant to a billion-dollar company doing a full-rent product launch are worth talking about. Copper Mill have a new building application under consideration, and seem to be eager to generate some goodwill with the community. They did a bit of cleanup to their vacant properties on Elm Street within the past week or so and (I see this evening) got rid of most of the graffiti and posters except for the old Family Dollar storefront. Even the cleaned-up ones are still mostly bleh brown paper in windows, though, so something as simple as volunteers coming in and putting up elementary school art would be a noticeable improvement.

Checking back in my meeting notes, OSPCD Director Galligani also mentioned the city was planning to activate Davis with investments in street furniture, stages, lighting, paint, and programming. At other community meetings, neighbors have expressed the desire for more outdoor events and festivals to promote positive uses of our parks. So I'd say ideas that don't even involve a building are also worth bringing up.

-B.

[Emmaline Kenny]

Hi all! I’m a masters of fine arts student at Tufts and primarily focus on welded sculpture. I have broad multi media installation experience and have shown works through the Somerville Arts Council, local galleries like 263, and Tufts affiliated venues like SMFA and Boston University. I even have a show up right now on Tufts campus! (160 saint alphonsus street gallery) I can't attach photos due to file size, but there are lots of photos of my recent work and shows I've participated in on my instagram, @emmaline.v.k

If we go the ‘shoe string art gallery’ direction, I would love to be part of the process! I have a ton of works I could contribute myself, but also general experience organizing and installing shows.

On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 1:01 PM Emmaline Kenny <emmaline...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all! I’m a masters of fine arts student at Tufts and primarily focus on welded sculpture. I have broad multi media installation experience and have showed works through the Somerville Arts Council, local galleries like 263, and Tufts affiliated venues like SMFA and Boston University. I even have a show up right now on Tufts campus! (160 saint alphonsus street gallery)

If we go the ‘shoe string art gallery’ direction, I would love to be part of the process! I have a ton of works I could contribute myself but also general experience organizing and installing shows. 

Some photos from my latest show!

--
Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Davis Square Neighborhood Council" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to davissquaren...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/73bdbe27ad5810de913fb26cae7e89eb31f770eb.camel%40alum.mit.edu.

[Elaine Almquist]

What a beautiful collection you've created! This is exactly the kind of project I think Davis Square residents would prefer to have in our community, rather than an empty space.

Best,

Elaine

Elaine F. Almquist

(she/her/hers)

BlueSky @EAlmquist  Instagram: @EFAlmquist
Phone: 978.375.2448

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAKVev_Amr-X6ubRdxjEJg0zW_eJRViCXtCn37zR1Xkk6X0fQpw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Abbe Cohen Dvornik]

Just to clarify ,  if the space were filled with public art or a shoestring budget nonprofit are they hoping to get market rate rent or just have the empty storefront look appealing and inviting ?   A popup business is a different proposition than elementary  school art displays...

Abbe 

--

Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Davis Square Neighborhood Council" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to davissquaren...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/f7491722a8f7836ad905bd78e27136f39aae5aa2.camel%40alum.mit.edu.

[Emmaline Kenny]

Hi all, is there any more information about the space available for a pop up? Location, dates, etc? I'm very interested in helping to fill the space!

[Erika Nesse]

Hi Emmaline,

I sent an email to Lance about some artist friends wanting to use the space and he got back to me saying it was a great idea and linking me on an email to the mayor, the Somerville arts council, and both the developers on Elm Street. I'm a little intimidated and not sure how to proceed! I'd love to help you and my friends see what we can do-- anyone have advice on next steps? 

--Erika

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAKVev_DfeXMm8Oux_5JA%3Dp_%2Bz4_EeByJ5BRQQu6%2BpJEwu7O7zw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Elizabeth Weinbloom]

Has anyone heard more about this vacant storefront arts popups idea?  I wrote to Lance a couple weeks ago as prompted in this email, but haven't heard back.  Are others also involved in this effort?

Thanks,

Liz

--

Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Davis Square Neighborhood Council" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to davissquaren...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/f7491722a8f7836ad905bd78e27136f39aae5aa2.camel%40alum.mit.edu.

[Hala Jadallah]

Leave him a note on his door.

Hala

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAPfCuM69OP%2BAhzNhxR9ToayCFWkGSiJEjubURu-sJaHz230Q4A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Erika Nesse]

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes, I'm on an email thread with the city and the developers about getting the popups going. The latest word is that the developers are actively working with the city on this and we should hear more this week. I'll keep you in the loop!

--Erika

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAPfCuM69OP%2BAhzNhxR9ToayCFWkGSiJEjubURu-sJaHz230Q4A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mieke Citroen]

I seriously hope that was meant as sarcasm. If it was not, you realize that you are encouraging someone to harass a government official at their house. That is so inappropriate.

--Mieke

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/CAGiR5QwG8Y7cQ3BR2OcCkrxcU7d5ZOspM6fK4KpbE-03F81WPw%40mail.gmail.com.