After closing its Centre Street doors in October, Uforge is excited to embark on a new collaborative partnership with the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

Founded in 1952, the Friends are committed to sponsoring and supporting various cultural and educational programs at the JP Branch of the Boston Public Library, and have been planning new ways to enhance its artistic offerings. The branch is currently undergoing major renovations, which will result in new public exhibition space available for local artists when it reopens in May 2017. The Friends have teamed up with Uforge to create a new proposal-based exhibition program, inviting artists to submit their work for solo or group exhibitions to be displayed in the JP Branch’s space throughout the year. After a group of community members and BPL staff select the artists, Uforge will manage the exhibits and accompanying events. The Boston Public Library is allowing this partnership to take place in their building as they strive to find new innovative ways to collaborate with the community.

“We are looking forward to bringing our curatorial and organizational skills to a new venue, while continuing to promote local artists within and beyond the Jamaica Plain community,” said Brian Crete, the Director of Uforge.

“After more than a decade of advocating for a renovation that included exhibit space, we are so excited to embark on this partnership with Uforge to manage the new gallery space. We are grateful that the BPL was receptive to this pioneering approach to engage the JP community and enliven the branch with enriching art displays,” said Don Haber and Gretchen Grozier, Co-chairs of the Friends of the JP Branch Library.