The Distillery Gallery

The DISTILLERY GALLERY — just off the lobby of the Distillery lofts building in South Boston — has developed into one of the most exciting art spots in Greater Boston, constantly asking artists to step up to new challenges. In the past year, for example, it dropped the gloves when it asked the city's most talented street artists to decorate its walls, with one catch: use only black and white paint. It exhibited local artists Nikolaus Gulacsik and Daniela Wong-Chiulli's take on manga. It juxtaposed black-and-white and color photos, in a mock "face-off" between the two mediums. The types of exhibits the Distillery offers vary immensely, but never lack originality. And, above all else, it promotes local artists — many of whom simply venture downstairs from their living or work spaces in the building's spacious lofts. (All our building's basement has to offer are a few barely functioning washers and dryers.)

THE DISTILLERY GALLERY | 516 East Second Street, South Boston | distilleryboston.com/gallery_distillery.htm