The Back Bay Exploration begins...Where to first?
New Back Bay resident Molly Menner begins her exploration of the region's artistic culture by examining a map of the area in the center of Copley Square.
Website: http://www.bostonbackbay.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street
Located on 15 Newbury Street and built in 1861, the Emmanuel Church provides services that combine Eucharistic-centered liturgy and subversive sermons. It identifies as a "progressive-Christian church". Here we see a "Black Lives Matter" flag hung on its only flagpole. The Emmanuel holds Episcopal worship Sundays at 10:00am.
Website: http://www.emmanuelboston.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Copley Society of Art
The Copley Society of Art (located on 158 Newbury Street) was hosting its annual Fresh Paint Day where local artists can paint all across Back Bay, and then participate in a gala and silent auction. Website: http://www.copleysociety.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
"Fresh Paint Day" Painting
A local artist's work-in-process in honor of the Copley Society of Art's "Fresh Paint Day".
Fresh Paint Day Information Website: http://www.copleysociety.org/exhibition/fresh-paint-2017/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Art Galleries on Newbury Street
Over thirty art galleries are spread out along the six-block stretch of Newbury Street in Back Bay. Some of the galleries include Arden Gallery (129 Newbury St), Newbury Fine Arts (35 Newbury St), and Martin Lawrence Gallery (77 Newbury St), which contain local and nationwide artists' paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints.
Websites: https://www.ardengallery.com/ http://www.newburyfinearts.com/ http://martinlawrence.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
On the corner of Dartmouth and Newbury...
Molly Menner scrolls through local artists' prints on the corner of Dartmouth and Newbury.
The Church of the Covenant
The Church of the Covenant, built in 1835, is a Christian faith congregation of the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ. Located on 67 Newbury Street, they expose an "Immigrants & Refugees Welcome" banner. The Covenant's Worship Service is every Sunday at 10:30am.
Website: http://www.cotcbos.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
ArtWeek in Boston Piece
Outside of Joe's American Grill located on 181 Newbury Street, local artists Maraina Raimer and Jade Chauvin participate in the annual ArtWeek in Boston Creative Festival competition.
Website: http://www.artweekboston.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
The Boston Public Library
Molly Menner's next stop is the Boston Public Library, built in 1852 and currently home to around 3.7 million books, located on 700 Boylston Street in Copley Square.
Website: www.bpl.org
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Art Statue in front of the Boston Public Library
Located at the entrance of the Boston Public Library, are two large statues--the one shown representing Art. These were sculpted by artist Bela Pratt in 1912.
Website: http://www.bpl.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
"The Muses" inside the Boston Public Library
Covering the entire entrance hall of the Boston Public Library is Puvis de Chavannes’ major composition entitled The Muses. Here Molly Menner examines the artist's interpretation of the nine muses of Greek mythology hailing the Genius of Enlightenment.
Website: http://www.bpl.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Boston Duck Tour Boats
Molly Menner watches the classic Boston Duck Tour Boat load up one of its frequent daily rides around the Boston area. One ride is approx. 80 minutes and some sightings in Back Bay include Prudential Tower, Arlington Street Church, Newbury Street, Boston Public Library, Copley Place/Arts Square, and the Christian Science Church.
Website: http://www.bostonducktours.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
The Prudential Center
Molly Menner outside of The Prudential Center (located at 101 Huntington Ave and opened in 1993) contains Back Bay's most unique shops, restaurants, as well as consists the Prudential Center's Public Art Program display, which includes works from local artists Christian Eckart, John Salvest and Steinunn Thorarinsdottir.
Website: http://www.prudentialcenter.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Molly Menner examines First Church of Christian Science (located on 250 Massachusetts Ave), otherwise known as The Mother Church. The plaza out front hosts a variety of events such as talks on Christian Science, organ concerts and live music events. Services are every Sunday at 10:00am and 5:00pm.
Website: http://www.christianscience.com/find-us/visit-the-mother-church
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Boston Symphony Orchestra & Symphony Hall
Approaching the widely famous performance venue, Molly Menner is in awe of Symphony Hall (which is home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra) located on 301 Massachusetts Avenue.
Website: https://www.bso.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall, home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, opened on October 15, 1900. Designed by architects McKim, Mead & White of New York, the auditorium became the first designed with scientifically acoustical principles. It is considered to be one of the top concert halls in the world, holding a variety of events throughout the year.
Website: https://www.bso.org/Home
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Berklee College of Music Performance Center
An eight minute walk from Symphony Hall, Molly Menner arrives at the Berklee Performance Center, located on 136 Massachusetts Ave. With more than 200 performances every year, the BPC hosts events by talented Berklee College of Music students and faculty, local and touring artists, as well as hosts artistic community organizations. Box Office hours are Monday-Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Website: https://www.berklee.edu/BPC/calendar
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Bodega
The entrance to the hidden high-end-clothing store, Bodega, in Back Bay intrigues new resident Molly Menner. Located on 6 Clearway Street, Bodega is a sportswear and shoe retail store hidden behind a disguised average convenience store.
Website: https://shop.bdgastore.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
Molly Menner's finale of the six-block Newbury Street closes with a wonderfully charming two-story indie bookshop, called Trident Booksellers & Cafe (338 Newbury Street) that constantly displays local artists' paintings and local author's new and upcoming works.
Website: http://tridentbookscafe.com/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
The Charles River
On the border of Back Bay, Molly Menner looks out over the beautiful and serene Charles River and Charles River Esplanade, which holds community events throughout the year, as well as is a wonderful home to statues and local artists' works.
Websites: http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/boston-esplanade.html http://esplanadeassociation.org/
Photo Credit: Wylie Anderson
