Introduction . . .

[Maxine Farkas]

Maxine Farkas here . . . I am an artist and arts administrator.

What I do . . .  I run the Western Avenue Studios complex that houses 149 artist studios, supplying workspace to 200 artists.  The complex is a 5 unit commercial condominium BPV Lowell, which operates the Studios owns most of the complex . . . Alpha Imaging which is a major supplier of supplies and equipment to the large format printing industry owns one of the units and The Space, a music recording and rehearsal operation owns part of another of the units.  BPV Lowell is currently working on a project to create 50 artist live/work units in the G Mill our largest undeveloped vacant space.

Western Avenue Studios is in the process of becoming one of the largest artist studio complexes in the country. Western Avenue Studio artists open their studios to the public on the First Saturday of the Month, offering a relaxed interactive approach to viewing art.  In addition to providing work space to artists the Studios also houses the Loading Dock Gallery, a cooperative gallery created by 50 of the artists at WAS to provide access to their work.  WAS supplies headquarters and rehearsal space to The Miracle Providers NE, a 501(c)3, that supports children who are impacted by HIV/AIDS . . . each year the MPs fulfills the Christmas wishes of more than 350 children.  WAS also partners with the Lowell Humane Society and with the Acre Coalition To Improve Our Neighborhood.

We maintain websites at www.westernavenuestudios.com and www.theloadingdockgallery.com.

But I am also an artist . . .