Boston's Praise Shadows Gallery Heads Downtown With City Backing

Artnet News

by Sarah Cascone

February 13, 2026

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Boston’s Praise Shadows Art Gallery is making its highly anticipated move downtown, thanks to a partnership with the city of Boston. Mayor Michelle Wu played a key role in securing a 10-year lease for the gallery, which has been based in Brookline since its founding five years ago. This relocation marks an exciting chapter for the gallery, which has quickly established itself as one of Boston’s most respected contemporary art spaces. The new location, a former architecture office on the Greenway near Chinatown, offers 2,000 square feet of exhibition space and another 2,000 square feet for office use, private viewings, and storage. The gallery is set to launch its new chapter with an opening group show titled “Summoning” on March 13, featuring works by prominent artists like Oliver Jeffers, Cathy Lu, Billie Mandle, and Jean Shin. Over the next year, Praise Shadows plans to host three solo exhibitions showcasing Boston-based artists Crystalle Lacouture, Juan José Barboza-Gubo, and Brooke Stewart. This move aligns with the city’s broader efforts to revitalize downtown Boston through creative enterprises. The initiative, led by the mayor’s office of arts and culture and the Downtown Boston Alliance, aims to attract more art businesses to vacant spaces in the city center. Yng-Ru Chen, founder of Praise Shadows, has a unique background that blends art, marketing, and entrepreneurship. After spending years working in PR and marketing for institutions like MoMA PS1 and Sotheby’s, she transitioned into advising artists on licensing deals and later founded her gallery out of her Brookline apartment. The gallery quickly gained recognition for its innovative programming and partnerships, including a notable collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The city’s support extends beyond the lease; Praise Shadows has also received a grant to launch an emerging writers program in partnership with the Boston Art Review. This initiative underscores Boston’s commitment to fostering creativity and cultural growth, not just for artists but for writers and storytellers as well. The gallery’s new downtown location is expected to further invigorate the city’s arts scene, attracting both local and national attention. For art enthusiasts, this move signals a fresh wave of creative energy in Boston’s downtown. It highlights how public-private partnerships can breathe life into urban spaces while supporting emerging talent. As Praise Shadows settles into its new home, it

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Originally published on Artnet News on 2/13/2026