Screening begins at 7:00 pm (screen time, 1 hr. 5 min.)
Ten minute introduction by Mitchel Ahern
Q & A post screening
Costumes encouraged
Light refreshments served

For its October exhibition, the Atlantic Works Gallery (AWG), a collaborative of contemporary artists located in East Boston now in its 21^st year, is inviting the public to a special cultural event: The screening of a remake of the campy, American filmmaker Ed Wood’s iconic 1957 cult science fiction/horror film, Plan 9 From Outer Space with an introduction and Q&A with the filmmaker.

In May of 2014, Atlantic Works Gallery artist Mitchel Ahern was scheduled to exhibit a solo showing of his artwork in the gallery. Rather than hang a traditional gallery exhibition, Ahern enlisted artist members to build sets in the gallery, and casting gallery members and friends, he lovingly reshot Edward Wood’s cult masterwork. 

In the original film, space aliens seek to stop humanity from destroying itself by implementing Plan 9, calling for the resurrection of the dead. Plan 9 From Outer Space attained cult fame when it was dubbed “the worst film ever made” and “cinema so bad it’s good.”

But Ahern disagrees. “I think it’s one of the greatest films of all times, and I mean that unironically,” said the Boston-based visual and performing artist. “I think Wood’s filmmaking is extremely direct, improvisational, and flows out of a community. The dialogue is pure poetry.”

Nine years after its completion, Ahern’s remake is having its world premiere at the Atlantic Works Gallery. Ahern’s film serves not just as a tribute to Wood’s original film, it documents the 2014 Atlantic Works gallery, its members, visitors, and especially the East Boston neighborhood where much of it was filmed.

July 15 – August 26 2023

Opening Reception: Thursday, July 20, 6-9 pm
Closing Reception: Thursday, August 17, 6-9 pm

Atlantic Works Gallery is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with an exhibition showcasing member artists throughout its twenty-year history. From its founding members to new members, our gallery represents artists from diverse backgrounds of art and culture.

The Atlantic Works Building on Border Street was built in 1893 and was used to build and repair naval ships. In the 1990s the building was gradually taken over by artists looking for affordable studio space. In 2003 the occupants of the building rented a top floor studio as a space for art and ideas, naming it Atlantic Works Gallery. This evolved into a cooperative gallery with member artists doing all the work of running a gallery, with new exhibitions each month.

In 2006 the building was purchased by the East Boston Community Development Corporation who gutted and rebuilt the old leaky, but colorful building providing the Atlantic Works Gallery with a larger and improved space. The EBCDC has now, in our twentieth year, built a sparkling new space for Atlantic Works Gallery on the ground floor. This old marine building is located on the edge of the Boston Harbor and has dramatic views of the Boston skyline.

The arts community is an integral part of the East Boston community as a whole and 20 Years on the Edge is a celebration of that relationship.

20 Years on the Edge will also celebrate AWG’s new ground floor gallery space in the Atlantic Works building at 80 Border Street. We would like to thank the EBCDC for creating this new space, as well as the East Boston Foundation for their continued support over the years, enabling our artists to continue to share their work with the community.

May 4-27

Opening Reception, Thursday, May 4, 6-9 pm
Third Thursday Reception, May 18, 6-9 pm

Eric Hess is taking the meaning of M’aidez as the literal translation of ‘help me’ tying it in with traditional European Mayday when humans salute the earth. 

Humans dancing around a maypole adorned in flower crowns might not have the impact that is needed now that our planet seems to be dying. Hess will explore through photography, video and objects how people celebrate and the consequences of human actions and demonstrate how nature usually wins in the end.

Ian Babylon has prepared a collection of works where both mortal and divine are asking for help, assistance, intercession, intervention. 

Using classical & contemporary visual elements Babylon recomposes collaged works into newly cast surrealist mythologies familiar yet novel for today and tomorrow to come.

Making Connections

a New Members Exhibition featuring the work of
B. Amore, Julie C Baer, Maryellen Cahill, and Beth Plakidas

February 4 – March 25

B. Amore creates multi-media wall assemblages incorporating found objects, text, photos on silk, stone, bronzed gloves. The focus of her current work honors the reality of our commonly shared humanity.

Julie C Baer’s paintings reflect close attention to the biota in her natural environment, wherever she is, and the seasonal trajectory of its life cycles: budding, blooming, pollinating, fruiting, seeding, dying, renewal. 

Maryellen Cahill incorporates textiles, fiber, and beads in her mixed media art. She takes inspiration from her travels around the globe and the beautiful cultures she has been exposed to.

Beth Plakidas uses collected and handmade objects to create intimate installations. Combining formal, conceptual, and chance elements, Beth’s work balances the absurd with the beautiful.

(clockwise from top left)
Beth Plakidas, Julie C Baer, Maryellen Cahill, and B. Amore