1997 - A small group of local artists met to discuss creating an organization to support each other, bring the visual arts to the community and create a work/exhibition space. The Artists Group of Charlestown was formed.
1998 - Artists created work for the “15x15” Exhibit held at Artisans’ in Charlestown - our first fund raising activity. Other exhibits were held at members’ homes. Arterial Studios was established at 50 Terminal Street providing studio and exhibit space. The first “Art in the Park” was held in September at City Square Park in cooperation with the Friends of City Square Park, followed by “open Studios and the Holiday Show” in December at “Arteria”.
1999 - By-laws and Articles of Organization were established and officers were elected. The foundation of a “non-profit” organization began. Arteria held watercolor classes, solo exhibitions and regularly planned seasonal shows. Artists’ membership increased as did the need for more space.
2000 - AGC members conducted the children and senior art programs at the Charlestown Branch BPL. A lecture on Claude Monet by Charlestown resident Paul Tucker was held at the Commandants House in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
2001 - The Annual Spring Show, formally named the Members Show was now open to all Charlestown artists held at Arterial Studio, in March. The art related schedule for the AGC was full and included Art in the Park, held 3 days after September 11, 2001 and truly brought our community together.
2002 - As the AGC membership grew, a larger space was needed and found on Medford Street. Plans included 8 artist’s studios and a 950 sq. ft. gallery space for exhibitions and art related activities. The space would become the new home of the Artists’ Group of Charlestown.
2003 - Savoring the Arts, an extraordinary art exhibit and culinary tasting featuring food from some of the best local restaurants, was held at the new space. Contributions to Savoring the Arts and the Capital Campaign raised the money needed to create the studio spaces, gallery, walls and electrical/lighting system.
2004 - The “StoveFactory Gallery & Studios” was created, named for the building’s original use. The AGC received a “Smart Choices/MGH grant for providing children a 6-week art class teaching photography, watercolor and collage. Jonathan Ribner’s lecture on Contemporary Artists, at the StoveFactory Gallery.
2005 - The lecture series continued with “Women Artists of the 20th Century” given by Leslie Sills at Vitale, Caturano. Classes were open to the public and free of charge at scheduled events such as Watercolor Workshops with Anthony Abate, Reborn Kyoto from South East Asia and Model Monday Life Drawing. Group shows were held establishing the StoveFactory Gallery as a place for the visual arts.
2006 - Activities scheduled within the StoveFactory Gallery continued, including the Annual Spring Show and Third Thursday Open Studio. In September, the AGC welcomed Arts in Action Gallery Gala, and outreach program for artistic teens, to the StoveFactory Gallery. This exhibit was a collaboration with Mission Safe and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
2007 - As our 10th year anniversary approached, the AGC art programs flourished at the StoveFactory Gallery & Studios. The 9th Annual Art in the Park began the fall schedule, followed by our 10th Anniversary Gala & Auction. The AGC Artists’ Members in cooperation with the Friends of the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library donated their artwork for the Library’s 2008 calendar.
