Boston Design Week: A mix of events appealing to art and craft enthusiasts

Boston Design Week is set to feature the annual Design Week Awards on May 3rd and offers a plethora of activities including renowned guest speakers, panel discussions, walking tours, exhibitions, book signings, artist open studios, and design workshops. The events are hosted by a diverse group of participants including design-oriented businesses, universities, museums, non-profit organizations, individual designers, and professional societies. All are publicly accessible, with most being free upon registration.

This year’s festival theme, “Designing for the Future – Preserving for the Future,” is reflected across a variety of design fields, addressing new design innovations as well as the preservation of historic designs. Events are designed to resonate with the economic, social, and environmental needs of the city, country, and world, while also celebrating achievements in architecture, interior design, landscape design, design justice, custom designs, and the influence of diverse cultures on Boston’s design scene.

The festival kicked off on April 23 with several notable events. The American Society of Interior Design (ASID) and International Furnishing and Design Association (IFDA) will launch Design Superiore at an event hosted by the Consul General of Italy in Boston, spotlighting the impact of Italian designers. Concurrently, Patrick Ahearn Architect will present his new book, “History Reinterpreted,” showcasing the transformation of Duxbury’s Myles Standish Hotel into a modern seaside residence, aligning with the festival’s preservation theme.

The festival also offers an opportunity to explore both new and historic designs in Boston. Notable events include a tour of a model condo at The St. Regis Residences designed by Eric Roseff, and a major exhibition by Boston Architectural College titled “A Legacy of Design Innovation: Shepley Bulfinch at 150 and Beyond,” tracing the firm’s evolution since its 1874 inception. Throughout the 12 days, the festival will feature a mix of events appealing to art and craft enthusiasts, with numerous family-oriented activities planned for the weekends.

Participants include North Bennet Street School, Artists for Humanity, Beyond Walls, and many others. Additionally, four artist Open Studios events will take place over the weekends, including Newton Open Studios, Somerville Open Studios, East Boston Artists Group, and SoWa “First Friday” Open Studios, with several artists giving talks and presentations.

Boston Design Week is produced by Fusco & Four/Ventures, LLC and aims to enhance public awareness and appreciation of design, recognizing its essential role in our lives and attracting new audiences to a broad spectrum of design industries and organizations. The event is part of World Design Weeks, an international coalition fostering the exchange of ideas, sustainable development, and growth among over 40 design weeks globally.