Friendsgiving Neighborhood Dinner!
Boston Figurative Art Center
Boston, MA — The Boston Figure is delighted to announce a neighborhood gathering: a potluck designed to bring together nearby residents and local businesses for an evening of food, conversation, and community building. The event will be held at our creative community space, located at 285 Washington Street, Somerville MA.
As urban life accelerates and daily routines fragment, meaningful connections at the local level are more important than ever. According to a feature in the The Boston Globe, “We don’t know our neighbors anymore.” BostonGlobe.com The article highlights that trust levels are falling and loneliness rising — even as we are more digitally connected than ever. Simple acts of neighborliness hold powerful potential to rebuild social cohesion.
This gathering invites local restaurants, cafés and businesses to participate by contributing a dish or simply attending to meet neighbors and share space. By doing so, contributors will be part of a larger effort to bolster the health of our neighborhood’s social fabric. When neighbors know each other, when we exchange stories over a meal and recognize faces on the street, we strengthen our support networks and enhance resilience.
Why it mattersStrengthening social ties. As The Boston Globe notes, one‐in‐three Americans now spends no time with their neighbors, while less than one‐in‐five sees them more than once a week. BostonGlobe.com
Building trusted communities. The same article links neighborly interaction to greater trust and reduced social isolation — an “untapped solution,” it calls it. BostonGlobe.com
Celebrating local business and culture. Thriving neighborhoods depend on vibrant local commerce and meaningful public life. Another Globe piece shows how Boston’s residential neighborhoods are bouncing back because more people are engaging locally. BostonGlobe.com
Creating inclusive spaces. Our potluck is open to all — whether you live nearby, run a business, or simply want to connect. Together we will create a space where contribution and participation are natural and joyful.
What: Neighborhood Friendsgiving Dinner
When: November 22nd, 7PM
Where: 285 Washington Street, Somerville
How to participate:
RSVP at dr...@bostonfac.com or via the QR code on our flyer
Indicate if you will contribute a dish, beverages, supplies, or simply bring yourself
Local businesses/restaurants interested in contributing a prepared dish or sharing food please email us to coordinate (we can highlight you in our event communications)
Members of the media are welcome to attend. We will host short remarks at the beginning of the gathering about the importance of neighborhood connection, followed by mingling and food sharing. Visuals will include local business partners, neighbors interacting, and the creative space in action.
“Bringing the neighborhood together doesn’t require grand gestures,” said Keara Flynn, Director of The Boston Figure. “It might simply begin with a plate of food shared across tables. Our hope is that this evening becomes a tradition of connection, contribution and community.”
We look forward to seeing you — and to meeting you.
About The Boston FigureThe Boston Figure is a creative community space dedicated to bringing neighbors, artists, businesses and local initiatives into closer connection. Through events, shared meals, open studio times and collaborative projects, we believe that vibrant neighborhood life is built one conversation, one dish, one gathering at a time.
Contact:
Name: Keara Flynn
Organization: The Boston Figure
Email: dr...@bostonfac.com
Phone: 617-945-4254