Below is a press release from Contemporary Climate Gallery:
BOSTON, MA — Contemporary Climate Gallery (CCG), a nonprofit dedicated to incubating emerging artists by providing the tools, funding, and platform they need to succeed, will present Working Coast – Below the Line, a free contemporary art exhibition that explores New England’s working waterfront through the creativity of three up-and-coming local artists. Open to the public from August 26 – 30, 2026 at the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) Art Space at The Envoy Hotel (70 Sleeper Street, Boston), the exhibition explores the people, traditions, and coastal industries that have shaped Boston’s identity for generations.
This exhibition will feature work by Nikki Ekström, a UMass Lowell graduate and Wilmington, native whose multidisciplinary practice incorporates painting, sculpture, found materials and light.
Ekström draws inspiration from the New England coastline, using the sea as a metaphor for the unseen forces that shape us.
“Sometimes I would walk across the old, broken wooden remains of a pier that once stood strong, imagining a time when it was whole and stable,” she said. “I draw parallels between the ocean’s mystery and the unknown forces within us – the spiritual and intuitive realms that surface through experience, memory, and reflection…our encounters with the sea.”
Founded to create new opportunities for emerging artists, Contemporary Climate Gallery reimagines the traditional exhibition model by pairing artists with spaces whose history and identity deepen the meaning of their work. CCG starts with a place – its culture, community, and story – to create exhibitions that foster a resonating dialogue between art and its surroundings.
That philosophy comes to life in Working Coast – Below the Line, an exhibition inspired by Boston’s enduring relationship with the sea, presented in a space overlooking Fort Point Channel, which played a large role in 19th century maritime history. Timed alongside America’s 250th anniversary commemorations, the exhibition explores a lesser-known chapter of the city’s history by celebrating its working waterfront – from fishermen and coastal communities to maritime traditions and ocean ecology.
The exhibition features mixed media paintings and sculptures from three artists whose practices explore New England’s coastal identity through distinct perspectives and mediums. Together, their work invites visitors to slow down and reflect on the region’s maritime roots.
“Art has the power to help us see familiar places in new ways,” said James LaMarca, Founder of Contemporary Climate Gallery. “Growing up in Massachusetts, I am excited to present this exhibition in Fort Point and create a dialogue between the artwork and the city that simply couldn’t happen in a traditional gallery.”
Since its first exhibition in 2024, Contemporary Climate Gallery has created opportunities for artists through exhibitions and professional development. Participating artists have gone on to receive prestigious artist residencies, advanced art degrees, and grant funding, reflecting the organization’s commitment to helping artists build sustainable careers.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the featured artists and learn more about the inspiration behind their work. Admission to Working Coast – Below the Line is free. For more information, please visit www.contemporaryclimategallery.com.
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