Young Angel Midnight

In the early 1980's Lowell Massachusetts was yet another forgotten mill town, struggling to re-invent itself after the exodus of manufacturing from New England. Searching to re-build in a way that honored the city s history, community leaders decided that they would place historic renovation and the arts at the heart of their urban re-development plan. Soon they were engaging internationally known artists like David Ireland for urban art projects, and actively courting younger artists throughout the region, asking them to move and make art in the challenged city. Lowell eventually became one of the epicenters for artistic development in Massachusetts, offering support and structure for the creative community, and building city level positions in the arts into the City s infrastructure. Young Angel Midnight was created to honor Lowell's gifted generation of emerging artists. This 200-page book features full-color reproductions of their work, as well as a previously unpublished poem by Lowell native, Jack Kerouac; the iconic denizen of the city s original art scene. Funded and supported by the Cultural Organization of Lowell, the anthology is a diverse and vibrant compilation that reflects the grass-roots nature of Lowell s art scene today. It offers a stunning collection from visual artists, performance artists, writers, and musicians as well as profiles of several collectives, groups, spaces, and organizations that contribute to the now vibrant art scene. Unique in its homage to young community artists, many of whom have yet to make a name for themselves, the book serves as written record of how far this city has come, and how actively it continues to support those who have contributed so much to its rebirth.