Aviary Gallery & Art Boutique

When people ask me what my favorite art gallery in Boston is, (only non-​artists ask me that, really) I bring them here. It is my favorite gallery. Always the best stop in First Thursdays.
It’s very much my aesthetic in both the art that rotates on the walls and the stuff that they sell — between the beautiful leatherwork (worst.vegan.ever) and the photobooks. It’s very un-​pretentious, too. Not even in the pretentious-​hipster way. Nor in the pretentious-​postmodernist way. The art on the walls isn’t super postmodern to the point where you have a hard time justifying its value as an exhibition. Everyone’s super friendly and talkative including the owner Lindsay, who on occasion brings the prettiest greyhound into the studio to hang out.

Why does this place have so few reviews? It is for me, quintessential JP — quirky, artsy, friendly, and locally-​grown. It’s where I go to find gifts for the impossible-​to-​find-​gifts-​for people. I like the books, bags, and jewelry best because they are consistent. The art exhibitions rotate and sometimes they’re your cup of tea, sometimes not. The woman working here (dark hair, glasses, wish I could remember her name) is the sweetest thing, as are the dogs. If you don’t like dogs, they will put them in back while you peruse.

A small dog friendly art gallery in the heart of JP. It has great character and friendly staff (who are also artists featured in the gallery). It’s a great place to stop in and just take a look around.
There is a range of art, but my favorite is definitely the jewelry featuring bird and tree designs. Beautiful stuff.
Support your local artists.

Super gallery with a wonderful selection of art work, craft items and books… really good books. The show I saw featured artists from JP and the work was well chosen and nicely displayed. I found the owner and other staff members to be friendly and helpful and the shop dog — a very sweet and docile greyhound is totally chill and very welcoming. All in all, Aviary is an exceptional addition to the neighborhood.

Just go and check it out. I agree with the other review that it is hard to say what makes this place so cool but it just is. The art is great and it is just a fun place to look around. Most (if not all) of the art seems to be from local artists which is a big plus.
There is a dog there but I have never seen him get up from his bed and even if he did he is quite adorable and harmless.

I’ve been to all of the art galleries on Centre/​South Streets in JP and I like this new one the best. It’s hard to describe, but I just have an enjoyable time walking slowly around this gallery and checking out the art. The place feels like it has a heart. They’re featuring local artists right now and have a handout they give you listing their day jobs. I thought it was a cool idea. You know, «That girl who served me those stiff drinks at the Behan painted this? Wow!» That sort of thing. It added something to my experience.
They are also hosting musical and other events. Should be fun.

I love the idea of a new gallery in the South St area in JP. I was very excited to visit a recent afternoon and had seen the beautiful jewelry displayed in the windows; I’m always in the market for something interesting and one of a kind to wear. The space looks beautiful from the outside and here is the big BUT — they have a sign, like many businesses in JP, that says «dogs welcomed». What I was not expecting when I opened the door were two ridiculously large dogs to get up from their resting positions by the cashier and start walking towards me. Let me say that I have learned that people around me are very fond of their animals so I understand that they walk their animals and it’s nice to allow them into shops but there are limits. When I saw these two huge dogs as soon as I opened the door to the store I got out of there as fast as I could. I get you love your dogs but some of us do not want to be smelled, licked, rubbed, or are simply scared of dogs. If you are with small children grab their hands and make sure to keep them close when you enter the store, and don’t go in if you don’t like or are scared of dogs. These are BIG dogs. I know that I will be told that the dogs are harmless but that is not the point, the business owners are trying to bring in a clientele not scare them off. So at The Aviary Dogs are Welcomed but Humans may not be. I’m giving the business a 2 stars just based on how beautiful the jewelry is on the windows.