A former mill building district where pianos, canned goods, shoes and other merchandise were made in the 19th century, the district has been home to artists’ studios carved out of the old factories for the last fifty years. Today, the artists have been joined by art galleries, creative businesses, cutting edge restaurants and residential loft buildings.

The SoWa Art Walk takes place in late May each year and is a weekend-long standing invitation to visit the artists in their studios. www.SoWaArtwalk.com

The SoWa Open Market, an open-air venue for artists, craftsmen, collectioners, farmstands and other vendors makes its seasonal debut each year in tandem with the SoWa Art Walk. www.SoWaOpenMarket.com
The SoWa Antiques Market features over fifty antiques vendors will display in the fabled Power Station at 540 Harrison Avenue. www.SoWaAntiquesMarket.com.

SoWa Food & Produce Market tempts everyone at 500 Harrison Ave.

Read about all at www.SoWaSundays.com

The city’s art scene has shifted to Harrison from Newbury Street, says Bernard Toale, whose Toale Gallery has been at 450 Harrison since 1992 (617-482-2477; www.bernardtoalegallery.com).

“The art and the clientele in the South End is younger and funkier,” he says. “First Fridays are big happening scenes, with a younger, urban, new South End crowd. I’ve been around a long time, but I’d say the South End is made up of a lot of younger galleries showing newer artists, and not just local artists.”