What happens when you hand 25 artists a sealed box of mystery objects and give them two months to make sense of it? We’re about to find out.

Back in January, participating members of ArtSpace gathered for the launch of the 2026 Projects Gathering series, which kicked off with “The Box Project.” The prompt was simple but daunting: bring a box filled with five to seven items that spark curiosity — not junk, but “possibilities.” Reality-TV-esque, the boxes were then shuffled and randomly redistributed.

The challenge? To create a finished work using the majority of the items they inherited, regardless of whether those items fit their usual style or medium.

The Challenge of the Unknown

For the past two months, participants have been wrestling with the materials they received. The project wasn’t just about making “something” — it was about the creative response to the unfamiliar.

Being forced to work with materials you didn’t choose can turn off the internal “editor.” I have done this project multiple times and always find that it forces me to experiment, a bit like a child might, as I try to figure out what I’m going to do. It’s a process of stretching, experimenting and puzzling over what to do with a vintage clock gear, a swatch of velvet, a dried seed pod and several popsicle sticks.

The beauty of the Box Project lies in the variety of outcomes. Because “anything goes,” the upcoming exhibition will feature a range of disciplines including mixed media, assemblage, painting, photography and writing.

Join Us for the Reveal

As we approach our completion date, the energy is shifting from “What am I going to do with this stuff?” to “Look what I made.” The exercise is not a competition. It is, in a sense, a collaborative project where both the givers and receivers of the boxes are invested in the outcomes. The works have required the creating artists to persist, even when they were feeling uncertain.

We are delighted to invite the community to see the results of this creative leap. The finished pieces will be on display at the ArtSpace Gallery for a special two-week showing.

Hours at ArtSpace’s Barbara Erwin Gallery are:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday: noon to 5 p.m.

Where: ArtSpace Gallery, 15 Nason Street, Maynard
When: On View March 25 – April 2

What to expect: Photos of the original contents of the boxes, 25 unique approaches to the project, and the magic that happens when you open yourself up to a creative challenge

Whether you’re an artist looking for inspiration or a neighbor who loves a good “before and after,” come see how it all turned out.