Category: Uncategorized

This month ROOTED Cafe is featuring work from Joe Botsch, a Somerville-based illustrator and comic book artist who specializes in the dark and macabre. His work tends to feature ghosts, monsters, and sinister characters, and he is known for expressing plot and story in singular images which invite the viewer to build the narrative in their own minds using the unusual imagery provided. This show features Joe’s recent “Inktober” work: a social media phenomenon that encourages illustrators to make an ink drawing a day, every day for the entire month of October. Joe specializes in a heavy, chiaroscuro inking that seems to sculpt three dimensional forms. The use of black creates an impenetrable darkness that begs the viewer to imagine what else might lurk in the shadows. 

Joe’s entire collection of Inktober illustrations can be found on Instagram @donotreadcomics. His comic book work can be found at www.DoNotReadComics.com.   

p.s. Joe is also the Operations Manager at Arts at the Armory so feel free to strike up a conversation with him if you stop into ROOTED and consider buying one of his original pieces, which will be on sale through the end of the month. 

We’re excited to share that Matthew Reddin is our Blue Ribbon Recipient of the Month. The Blue Ribbon recognizes a staff member, volunteer or intern who has demonstrated great dedication and outstanding performance at Arts at the Armory. 

Matthew grew up in Somerville, and likes to spend his free time sketching and watching old movies. Throughout his years at the Armory, Matthew has always been a team player. With the reopening of ROOTED he has adapted to working in the Cafe and has stepped up to meet the many challenges posed by COVID-19. As someone who consistently seeks to help and be supportive, we are grateful to have Matthew as part of our staff.

1. What do you do at Arts at the Armory?
I work in the hall as bar staff and sometimes an event manager. And I also work in the cafe.

2. How long have you worked at Arts at the Armory?
It’s been about 7 years now.

3. What’s your favorite thing about working here?
The shows. I’ve been exposed to different types of art and performance that I might not have otherwise checked out.

4. What is something you would like our community to know about you?
I like to be helpful. 

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Do you need an equipped and safe space that allows your band, ensemble or dance/theater troupe to rehearse and/or record a performance while maintaining social distance? Are you looking to record a virtual gala for your organization? We can help.  The Armory Performance Hall is available for private rehearsals, audio and video recordings and livestreaming.

The Performance Hall includes a 25×12′ stage and over 5,000 square feet of open space, plus a Mezzanine balcony that overlooks the main space, providing an additional 1,700 square feet of open space. Women’s and men’s bathrooms adjoin the main space. There is a Cafe on site open daily from 8:30am-6pm (Sundays 10am-4pm). There is abundant, free parking behind the building. A stable, high-speed internet connection is available for use as wi-fi and for livestreaming.

With current City of Somerville COVID19 guidelines, a maximum of ten people (including staff) can be present inside of the Performance Hall at any given time. Please click here for the COVID19 regulations that Arts at the Armory will be following and will expect any groups using the space to follow.  

Arts at the Armory can provide professional tech support and is partnering with Dead Moon Audio and Somerville Media Center to serve groups that require more advanced sound recording / engineering and video production / editing services. The Center for Arts at the Armory is available to book and staff the space according to your needs. Please contact events@artsatthearmory.org for more information about pricing and to book the space.