Echo is a collection of photography and video documenting Soundscapes, an event that brought music and dance to Spectacle Island during the Isles Arts Initiative of Summer 2015. The Isles Arts Initiative (IAI), in coordination with the Boston Harbor Island Alliance,FLUX.Boston, National Park Service, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Greenovate Boston, and the Boston Art Commission transformed the Boston Harbor Islands into a canvas primed for artistic activation and social engagement. Soundscapes, curated by local musician and Gallery 263 Marketing and Music Program Director Leah Hennessy, featured performances by spirited American roots musicians The Lula Wiles, chamber orchestra Palaver Strings, indie folk duo Opal Puckett, and a parade led by Cocek! Brass Band and members of Urbanity Dance Company. Photographer Meghan Ireland, and videographers Ian McLellan and Dylan Ladds captured the striking combination of scenery and song at the event. Their work is now on display in this special exhibition, one year later.

Longtime collaborators, Ireland and McLellan have developed a complementary visual language that combines fine art and narrative, and capitalizes upon the smallest, most ambient details to define a moment in time. “When I was thinking about how I wanted to document Soundscapes, I was inspired by Bert Stern and George Avakian’s ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Day’ filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival” says curator Leah Hennessy. “Stern weaves shots of the audience and sailboats in Newport Harbor into the masterful performances on stage, achieving strong sense of place and overall atmosphere. I chose Ireland and McLellan for this project because their work achieves that same aesthetic. Ladds was chosen as a second videographer to contribute movement to the concert and parade footage.” Together, Echo captures how the performances, visitors, and island environment contributed to the artistic whole of Soundscapes.

Please join us for a special screening event and reception on Thursday, July 28, 7-9 PM. The video component of Echo will be available for streaming on our website beginning Friday, July 29. Many thanks to Elizabeth Devlin, IAI Director and curator, for her part in making this exhibition possible.

About the artists

Meghan Ireland

Meghan Ireland is a freelance photographer, creative director and New Hampshire native, currently living in Massachusetts.  Her recent projects include meghanireland.com, meghanirelandweddings.com and hedouble.com.

Ian MacLellan

Ian MacLellan is a freelance photographer and filmmaker based in Somerville. In between editing and filming for editorial clients that include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Runner’s World, and The Guardian, Ian likes to adventure and photograph for his daily blog, usually at the same time. www.maclellanimages.com.

Dylan Ladds

Dylan Ladds is the Co-Founder of Dooster, an adventure film and photography studio based in Boston and San Francisco. He wears backpacks and travels a lot, but he definitely has New England blood.

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In conjunction with Echo, Gallery 263 presents Port Sounds Music & Comedy Festival sponsored by community partner Aeronaut Brewing Company. Gallery 263’s second Port Sounds festival adds comedians to the cast of emerging bands and independent artists that have found a creative home in our Cambridgeport space. This year’s event is headlined by Ruby Rose Fox, and features performances from The By & By, Maggie Whitlock, and comedians Wes Hazard, Pamela Ross, Mike Lemme, and Chris Post.