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At LabCentral, we understand the importance of creativity when it comes to making scientific breakthroughs in the life sciences field. In fact, its value can’t be overstated in regard to making observations, problem solving and explaining the world around us.

Built in 1832, this modest brick building in Cambridge may appear ordinary to the common eye, but when you explore its past, it has an extensive history of science and innovation. For example, this location is where the pipe (monkey) wrench was conceived, as well as the place where Thomas A. Watson received the first transcontinental telephone call.

So, when we decided to establish rotating art installations, we named the project Gallery 1832 as an homage to LabCentral’s vibrant history. Through carefully curated pieces crafted by local artists with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we’re hoping to constantly breathe new life and perspectives into our space. Each exhibit has its own story and aims to provoke curiosity, create dialogue and inspire new ideas for our residents and visitors.

We’ve had such a tremendous response to Gallery 1832 at our 700 Main Street location, we recently extended it to our new biomanufacturing facility at 238 Main Street. This gives us an opportunity to highlight the work of even more local artists, fueling the creativity of those that walk our halls.

Below is a snapshot of current and past Gallery 1832 exhibits featured in both of these locations.

The Poetics of Painting

From abstract artist Destiny Palmer, this exhibit explores the intersection of painting, history and color. Palmer encourages viewers to “interpret, engage, reminisce, [and] critique” her work, as she adds that her art tends to generate a conversation of “confusion or acceptance.”

Source Code

In this exhibition, artist Joe Taveras presents a collection of artwork from the past, present and future – including collaborative paintings between himself and his father Art Taveras, an alumni of LabCentral. Through their art, they hope to serve the greater purpose of bridging the gap between art and science.

Heirlooms & Stories

Gallery 1832 began hosting this exhibit earlier this year, in honor of Black History Month. Highlighting the works of Rocky Cotard, Susan Thompson and Sandrea Lovelock-Williams, it showcases how family heirlooms keep generations of family and community stories alive. These three incredible artists share these stories through their artwork, including various mediums, such as painting, textiles, and quilts.

Beyond Labels

Artists Flor Delgadillo and Valerie Imparato joined forces for this installation with the notion of challenging and overcoming medical conditions, from rare diseases to unidentified diagnoses.

We Live in Color

The most recent exhibit at Gallery 1832 features the work of Paul Goodnight, Larry Pierce, Ayana Mack, Ibrahim Ali-Salaam, and James Perry. These artists’ work displays bold, bright, and vibrant images in color, representing who they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going, and serving as a vessel of expression that depicts their social, political, and economic realities as artists of color.

For more information on Gallery 1832 and its upcoming or past exhibitions, you can find out everything you need to know here.