Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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p shalin liu at the erformance center 37 Main St., Rockport, Massachusetts Artist in Residence: Tom Veirs at work on a landscape; paints at the ready. into the whispering halls of industrial-hallowed grounds, captivating visitors at every turn. Still, they longed for "live/ work" space, Farkas says. Mattson says the possibility of another mill condominium conversion was not favored by the city of Lowell "and the costs aren't great." Also, Frey could not find a large com- mercial tenant for the property, she says. The build-out of the new Western Avenue Lofts in Mill G have artists elated. "My commute will be a stroll across the parking lot," says jubilant jewelry artist Heather Wang. She and her husband, Chad, leased their new home in part because of its particular space—which included a cave-like section of an old freight elevator shaft that will be turned into his music studio—and its close proximity to Heather's space at WAS. However, the most important thing to her is "the ability to customize and make the space work," says Wang. Live/work space is a working artist's dream come true; everything from the circa 1930s era, 25-foot-on-center columns that leave units free of structural elements to the rents ranging from $835 to $1,625, which include heat, air conditioning, and two parking spots. This artist housing is also unique in that there are no restrictions, which often come along with federal and state subsidized projects, Farkas explains. Affordable housing subsidies for artists make units "conventional," she says, adding that a live/work space has different requirements. "It's been a struggle for artists from now until hell freezes over—it doesn't work for what artists really need…how would Heather and Chad get their record- ing studio in?" she muses. Common Latitudes Each unit, which ranges in size from 782 to 1,659 square feet, has a kitchen/bath/mechanical room module, eight-foot en- try doors, and full sound and energy insulation. Many units are multi-level with exposed brick in the first-floor units Concerts & events SPRING AND SUMMER 2012 SATURDAY, MAY 5, 8 PM JAZZ: Raul Midón, singer/guitarist SATURDAY, MAY 12, 8 PM FOLK/CLASSICAL: The Parkington Sisters FRIDAY, MAY 25, 8 PM FOLK: Liz Longley, singer/songwriter MAY 2 � MAY 20, 2012 MET OPERA HD:Wagner's Ring Cycle 4 broadcasts, lecture & documentary Rockport Chamber Music Festival JUNE 7 � JULY 16, 2012 :: 21 concerts, along with pre-concert lectures, free family concerts, amaster class, and open rehearsal Jazz, Folk, Pop,World Music JULY 20 � AUGUST 31, 2012 :: 20 concerts, including Judy Collins, Paula Cole, Arturo Sandoval, Ellis Marsalis, Roy Haynes, John Pizzarelli, and others For a full schedule of events, visit www.rockportmusic.org or call 978.546.7391. www.rockportmusic.org : : 978.546.7391 North ShoreMagazine: 4.125"x 10.375" May/June 2012 nshoremag.com May/June 2012 nshoremag.com 113